The legendary college football broadcaster will serve as the keynote speaker for the fifth annual Lott Trophy Awards Banquet Dec. 14 at The Pacific Club in Newport Beach.

A network announcer for 53 years, Jackson has worked most every major event in sports, including the Olympics, the World Series and the NBA Finals.  But he is most associated with college football and his trademark sayings such as “Fummm-ble” and “The big uglies,” a reference to offensive linemen.

Jackson has been named National Sportscaster of the year five times in his career and is a member of the Rose Bowl Hall of Fame, the National Football Foundation Hall of Fame and the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Hall of Fame. 

Named after Hall of Famer Ronnie Lott, The Lott Trophy is awarded to college football’s Defensive IMPACT Player of the Year.  The Lott Trophy is the first college football award to equally recognize athletic performance and the personal character attributes of the player. 

Sponsored by The Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation, the award is given to a player who exhibits the same characteristics Lott embodied during his distinguished career: Integrity, Maturity, Performance, Academics, Community and Tenacity.

David Pollack of Georgia won the initial Lott Trophy in 2004.  DeMeco Ryans of Alabama won the award in 2005 Daymeion Hughes of Cal was the recipient in 2006 and Glenn Dorsey of LSU in 2007.  Georgia, Alabama, Cal and LSU each received $25,000 for their general scholarship funds.  In four years, the Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation has donated more than $450,000 to various charities, including the four universities.

Voters for the award include selected members of the national media, previous finalists, the Board of Directors of The Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation, The IMPACT Foundation Board of Advisors comprised of retired NFL players and Master Coaches, a distinguished group of former head college coaches.

Previous keynote speakers at the banquet have been Jack Kemp, Frank Gifford, Bill Walsh, John Robinson, Marcus Allen and Merlin Olsen. 

George Hypolite spends much of his other time working in soup kitchens, feeding AIDS patients, caring for seniors, helping distribute holiday gifts and generally doing good deeds on a routine basis. 

In other words, he’s Mother Teresa in cleats.  All 285 pounds of him. 

The 21-year-old senior defensive tackle at Colorado might someday be a star in the National Football League.  Or, he might volunteer at a children’s camp in Sri Lanka.  Or, he might head the Peace Corps.  Or be a lawyer.  Or he may choose any one of dozens of other professions he seems fully capable of mastering.

And, while he’s a pre-season 2008 All-America selection by some publications, he’s already made one team he’s unusually proud of – The American Football Coaches Assn. Good Works team.  He was recognized for the work he has done summers in his hometown of Los Angeles, donating between 300 and 400 hours preparing food for homebound AIDs patients as well as working at a L.A. area shelter for battered women. 

“If I can give five minutes so people can take their minds off their problems, that’s five minutes of gold to me,” Hypolite told Natalie Meisler of the Denver Post.  “Volunteering will always be part of my life, I love giving back, seeing a smile on a kid’s face.  I was more blessed (making food) than those being helped.”

And now, he’s helped himself onto the 2008 Watch List for The Lott Trophy. 

Named after Hall of Famer Ronnie Lott, The Lott Trophy is awarded to college football’s Defensive IMPACT Player of the Year.  Now in its fourth year, The Lott Trophy is the first college football award to equally recognize athletic performance and the personal character attributes of the player. 

Sponsored by The Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation in Newport Beach, the award is given to a player who exhibits the same characteristics Lott embodied during his distinguished career: Integrity, Maturity, Performance, Academics, Community and Tenacity.

David Pollack of Georgia won the initial Lott Trophy in 2004.  DeMeco Ryans of Alabama won the award in 2005 Daymeion Hughes of Cal was the recipient in 2006 and Glenn Dorsey of LSU in 2007.  Georgia, Alabama, Cal and LSU each received $25,000 for their general scholarship funds.  In four years, the Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation has donated more than $450,000 to various charities, including the four universities.

Voters for the award include selected members of the national media, previous finalists, the Board of Directors of the Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation, The IMPACT Foundation Board of Advisers comprised of many retired NFL players and Master Coaches, a distinguished group of former head college coaches.

The winner will be announced at a gala black-tie banquet at The Pacific Club in Newport Beach, Ca. on December 14th, 2008.

It would certainly be no surprise to see Hypolite as one of the finalists.

*As a player, he was named All-Big 12 last season when he led Buffalo linemen in tackles with 44, added 11 tackles for losses and recorded six quarterback sacks.

*As a student, Hypolite graduated this past May in less than three years on the Boulder campus.  He has been named to the All-Big 12 academic team the past two years, majoring in ethnic studies with an emphasis in American Indian studies and a counter emphasis in African-American studies.  His grade point average has been as high as 3.79

*His community service record is unparalleled and easily among the most impressive of any player nominated for The Lott Trophy in its first five years.

“I got where I am today by people telling me from an early age that I was special and that hard work will lead to success,” he told Conner Duffy of the Colorado Daily.  “I would not be where I am if I wasn’t encouraged by special people in my life. So I try to encourage children so they can reach their potential.  To look in their eyes and know I made their day is a great reward.”

Colorado head coach Dan Hawkins realizes what a special player he has in Hypolite:  “One of the things that makes George a leader is he’s very smart.  When some team is lining up in a formation, he will stand right up and say what they’re running.

“He (Hypolite) puts in a lot of time (volunteering) and it’s something we’re really trying to foster within our football program.  I’m certainly glad that he got honored (The Good Works team) because he does his share and more.”

Defensive line coach Romeo Bandison on Hypolite: “He’s a very confident guy.  He knows he wants to be a lawyer and I know he will achieve that.  He’s an easy player to coach and is one of the most well-rounded individuals I know.”

Hypolite is on the Watch List for the Lombardi Award, the Nagurski Award and the Outland Trophy, as well as The Lott Trophy.

The word is out: Watch Out for George Hypolite, on and off the field. 

For further information on The Lott Trophy, please visit our website at Lotttrophy.com. 
Pete Donovan
Media Director, The Lott Trophy
760/360-0414

Oregon’s senior defensive end keeps going and going and going…

Undersized at 255 pounds, he is a relentless pass rusher who has been going and going since he arrived on the Eugene campus four years ago. 

And where did it get him?  Well, the 12 sacks and 22.5 tackles for losses got him first team All Pac-10 honors (along with second team All-American recognition from SI.com).  And he didn’t stop going when he left the football field, either.  He kept right on going to a 3.39 grade point average in history that earned him Academic All-American honors. 

And now, he’s gotten himself all the way to the 2008 Watch List for The Lott Trophy. 

Named after Hall of Famer Ronnie Lott, The Lott Trophy is awarded to college football’s Defensive IMPACT Player of the Year.  Now in its fourth year, The Lott Trophy is the first college football award to equally recognize athletic performance and the personal character attributes of the player. 

Sponsored by The Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation in Newport Beach, the award is given to a player who exhibits the same characteristics Lott embodied during his distinguished career: Integrity, Maturity, Performance, Academics, Community and Tenacity.

David Pollack of Georgia won the initial Lott Trophy in 2004.  DeMeco Ryans of Alabama won the award in 2005 Daymeion Hughes of Cal was the recipient in 2006 and Glenn Dorsey of LSU in 2007.  Georgia, Alabama, Cal and LSU each received $25,000 for their general scholarship funds.  In four years, the Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation has donated more than $450,000 to various charities, including the four universities.

Voters for the award include selected members of the national media, previous finalists, the Board of Directors of the Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation, The IMPACT Foundation Board of Advisers comprised of many retired NFL players and Master Coaches, a distinguished group of former head college coaches.

The winner will be announced at a gala black-tie banquet at The Pacific Club in Newport Beach, Ca. on December 14th, 2008.

It would be no surprise to see Reed at the banquet as one of the four finalists who are flown in for the annual event.  It would be a homecoming for Reed, who starred at Mission Viejo High School and was named The Register’s Defensive Player of The Year in 2004. 

Last year he was a finalist for The Ted Hendricks Award (top defensive end in the country) and, in addition to The Lott Trophy, is on the watch list for the Nagurski Award (top defensive player in the country). 

And, he will not turn 21 until Sept. 1. 

Hardly the prototypical defensive end, Reed is driven by a large motor.

“If Nick walked into a room with six of the top defensive ends in the Pac-10, he’d be the last guy you’d pick to say, this is the guy that leads the league in sacks,” Oregon defensive coordinator Nick Aliotti told Rob Moseley of The Eugene Register-Guard

“But I just keep calling him the Tasmanian Devil. He plays so hard.

“He’s everything you want in a football player. It would be nice if he was 6-4, 275. But then maybe he wouldn’t have the little extra something he has that makes him special.”

Reed likely appeared at least 6-4, 275 against some 2007 opponents.  Against Washington State he had 11 tackles, including 5 for losses and was named National Player of the Week.  Against Arizona State he repeated those numbers and was chosen Pac-10 Player of the Week.

At Oregon, he heads a ferocious defense that led the entire country in tackles for losses a year ago with 122.  Reed’s 22.5 were the third highest total for individual players. 

Reed also relies on his brains while attacking football.

“I’d say I play smart football. But I wouldn’t say I’m a smart guy. I’m not going to be operating on hearts.

“I take pride in studying, knowing our opponents and knowing who I’m going up against.”

Going?  That’s what Nick Reed keeps doing. 

For further information on The Lott Trophy, please visit our website at http://www.TheLottTrophy.com. 

Pete Donovan
Media Director, The Lott Trophy
760/360-0414

After all, he is the perfect role model for today’s classroom student and athletic star.

The NCAA should sign him to a post-eligibility contract now, allowing his story to be rolled out to every prospective athlete who holds hope of attending a university to participate in sports.

“He’s the poster boy for what you’d like a college student-athlete to be,” says Florida State Coach Bobby Bowden. “If all of your players were like him, coaches wouldn’t have a lot of worries. I haven’t had many like him.”

Fittingly, Rolle is on the Watch List for the fifth annual Lott Trophy

Named after Hall of Famer Ronnie Lott, The Lott Trophy is awarded to college football’s Defensive IMPACT Player of the Year.  The Lott Trophy is the first college football award to equally recognize athletic performance and the personal character attributes of the player. 

Sponsored by The Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation, the award is given to a player who exhibits the same characteristics Lott embodied during his distinguished career: Integrity, Maturity, Performance, Academics, Community and Tenacity.

The winner will be announced at the annual black-tie gala in December at The Pacific Club in Newport Beach, Ca.
Rolle figures to be one of the favorites for the award. 

To put it simply 21-year-old Rolle is breathtaking and a stunning example of all that can be good in intercollegiate sports.

*He graduated from high school a semester early.  Besides being a two-sport star and a whiz in the classroom, Rolle played the lead in the musical “Fiddler on the Roof”.
*At Florida State, he’s majoring in exercise sciences; has stated that his goal is to attend medical school when he is done playing; and is aiming for a Rhodes Scholarship.
*He’s the vice president of FSU’s Student-Athlete Advisory Council.
*He will graduate in August, two years ahead of schedule.
*He was selected to speak before the Knight Commission on Intercollegiate Athletics looking on a panel dealing with recruiting.
*He spent part of last summer studying in London as part of the school’s international program. “I took comparative politics, holistic medicine, and a grief and loss class,” Rolle says.
*He was awarded a Florida State University 2008 Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity Award.  The purpose of the award, according to the university, is “to help Rolle realize his intellectual and creative potential, clarify his career goals and help him prepare for graduate school and national fellowship competitions.”
*The Rolle family was featured in a December, 2007 Sports Illustrated story by S.L. Price.
*He was the No. 1 high school prospect in the country in 2006. 
*He was the 2006 ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year and a Freshman All-American.  In 2007, Rolle was named to the All-ACC Academic team.
*Scout.com already ranks him as the No. 1 strong safety pro prospect in the country, although he’s only played two seasons.
Rolle learned early on from his family that life was not all about athletics. 

“I was always told that being an athlete carries a great responsibility. We have something a lot of people don’t. So use it.

“I had guidance. I was shown the right direction. But I see a lot of kids that need that same kind of inspiration. In Tallahassee, they look up to football players. Maybe they get positives from their teachers and parents, but it’s different when they see someone like me doing the right things in the classroom and in the community as well as in my football uniform. They listen. And hopefully learn.

“I’m just trying to live my life the way I was taught,” he continued. “I’ve never shied away from that. I’m in a position to make a difference.

“As a kid, I couldn’t play unless my homework was done. That’s when I realized my parents took it quite seriously. So I did, too,” he told Mike Kern of the Philadelphia Daily News.

“You have a sense from him that football is an important part of his life, but there are things he wants to do that are equally and more important,” said Jody Spooner, former director of FSU’s Office of National Fellowships. “He’s a kid with perspective on his whole life.”

Rolle’s role model?  It’s Benjamin Carson, a doctor and director of pediatric neurosurgery at John Hopkins Medical Institution. He’s the guy who turned cerebral hemispherectomy surgery - a once-unpopular procedure that includes half the patient’s brain being removed during surgery - into a widely used operation to treat brain tumors during the past two decades.

“He’s (Carson) very inspirational, being an accomplished neurosurgeon, being black and coming from a lower income level,” Rolle told Scott Carter of the Tampa Tribune. “Public service is always something I wanted to do and I’m interested in science. Being a physician, I think, is a calling for me, obviously after football is done. It’s one of my ultimate goals in life. I saw [Carson’s] life and wanted to emulate it as best as possible.”

It appears that sooner or later others will be emulating Rolle’s life.

For further information on The Lott Trophy, please visit our website at http://www.TheLottTrophy.com. 

Media Contact:
Pete Donovan

760/360-0414

About the Lott Trophy:

The Lott Trophy was established by The Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation to honor college football’s Defensive IMPACT Player of the Year.

The award is unique because it represents the first trophy to give equal weight to personal character as well as athletic performance from a defensive college player and is the first national college football award based on the West Coast.

The Lott Trophy was named in honor of Ronnie Lott - a two time All -American for USC and College Football Hall of Fame inductee. Ronnie Lott went on to win four Super Bowl rings with the San Francisco 49ers, ten trips to the Pro Bowl and a spot in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Always known as a fierce competitor, he was a leader who had IMPACT both on and off the field. 

OUT OF CHARACTER: In a special to USATODAY.com, Rob Rang wrote, “Several high-profile prospects fell out of the first two rounds due to character concerns.” Michigan WR Mario Manningham and Nebraska OT Carl Nicks are two players “worthy of first-round consideration” who were drafted No. 95 and No. 164, respectively (USATODAY.com, 4/26). FOXSPORTS.com’s Mark Kriegel wrote character “isn’t the issue. It’s the knucklehead issue. In this respect, NFL franchises aren’t unlike those you work for. They don’t want embarrassment. They don’t want guys missing work. They don’t want knuckleheads” (FOXSPORTS.com, 4/26).

AROUND THE LEAGUE: In St. Louis, Bernie Miklasz wrote of the Rams’ selection of Long, “I believe character is important. Anytime the Rams can add a first-rate individual to the locker room, that’s a plus”. (ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH, 4/27)….Falcons Owner Arthur Blank said of drafting Boston College QB Matt Ryan with the No. 3 pick with suspended QB Michael Vick in prison, “We owe it to our fans, coaches and players to move on. Selecting Matt Ryan was the important way to do that” (USA TODAY, 4/28)....Univ. of Oregon coach Mike Bellotti said of RB Jonathan Stewart, who was selected with the No. 13 pick, “In terms of running and strength and character, he will surpass anybody’s expectations” (CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, 4/27)....In Boston, John Tomase writes the Patriots pulled off “one of the surprises of the NFL draft yesterday by selecting San Diego State QB Kevin O’Connell 94th overall, continuing a meteoric rise for one of the highest-character players among this year’s prospects” (BOSTON HERALD, 4/28).

LSU’s Glenn Dorsey, the winner of the 2007 Lott Trophy, was the fifth overall selection in the annual National Football League draft, being chosen by the Kansas City Chiefs while Virginia’s Chris Long, a finalist for the award, was selected second overall by the St. Louis Rams. 

Dorsey became the highest drafted winner of the award and Long became the highest drafted finalist. 

Previously, three Lott finalists were selected in the first round, the highest being A.J. Hawk of Ohio State, chosen fifth overall by the Green Bay Packers in the 2006 draft.  Hawk was a finalist that year.  Georgia’s David Pollack, the inaugural winner of the award in 2004, was the 17th selection in 2005 by the Cincinnati Bengals.  That same year, linebacker Derrick Johnson of Texas, who was a Lott finalist, was the 15th pick in the first round by the Kansas City Chiefs.

Here is how the Lott finalists have been drafted:

2005
David Pollack, Georgia (winner), 1st round, Cincinnati
Derrick Johnson, Texas (finalist), 1st round, Kansas City
Jim Leonhard*, Wisconsin (finalist), undrafted walk-on with Buffalo Bills
2006
DeMeco Ryans**, Alabama (winner), 2nd round, Houston
A.J. Hawk, Ohio State (finalist), 1st round, Green Bay
Darryl Tapp, Virginia Tech (finalist), 2nd round, Seattle

2007
Dante Hughes, Cal (winner), 3rd round, Indianapolis
Paul Posluszny, Penn State (finalist), 2nd round, Buffalo
Quinn Pitcock, Ohio State (finalist), 3rd round, Indianapolis

2008
Glenn Dorsey, LSU (winner), 1st round, Kansas City
Chris Long, Virginia (finalist), 1st round, St. Louis
J Leman, Illinois (finalist), undrafted signed with Minnesota Vikings
James Laurinatis, Ohio State (finalist), Junior, returned to college

*Leonhard signed a free agent contract with Buffalo and is still with the Bills
**Ryans’ was the first pick in the 2nd round and went on to win NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year honors.

For more information on The Lott Trophy, please visit our website at www.TheLottTrophy.com

Media Contact:
Pete Donovan

760/360-0414

About the Lott Trophy:

The Lott Trophy was established by The Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation to honor college football’s Defensive IMPACT Player of the Year.

The award is unique because it represents the first trophy to give equal weight to personal character as well as athletic performance from a defensive college player and is the first national college football award based on the West Coast.

The Lott Trophy was named in honor of Ronnie Lott - a two time All -American for USC and College Football Hall of Fame inductee. Ronnie Lott went on to win four Super Bowl rings with the San Francisco 49ers, ten trips to the Pro Bowl and a spot in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Always known as a fierce competitor, he was a leader who had IMPACT both on and off the field. 

Newport Beach, Ca. – Forty-two of the nation’s top collegiate defensive players have been named to the 2008 Lott Trophy Watch List, it was announced today.

There are seven repeat nominees for the award, including James Laurinaitis of Ohio State, a finalist last year.  The other players nominated for a second straight year are Jonathan Casillas of Wisconsin, Maurice Crum, Jr. of Notre Dame, Brian Cushing of USC, Zack Follett of Cal, Nic Harris of Oklahoma and Darryl Richard of Georgia Tech.

Thirty-five different schools are represented on the Watch List.

Named after Hall of Famer Ronnie Lott, The Lott Trophy is awarded to college football’s Defensive IMPACT Player of the Year.  Now in its fourth year, The Lott Trophy is the first college football award to equally recognize athletic performance and the personal character attributes of the player. 

Sponsored by The Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation, the award is given to a player who exhibits the same characteristics Lott embodied during his distinguished career: Integrity, Maturity, Performance, Academics, Community and Tenacity.

David Pollack of Georgia won the initial Lott Trophy in 2004.  DeMeco Ryans of Alabama won the award in 2005 Daymeion Hughes of Cal was the recipient in 2006 and Glenn Dorsey of LSU in 2007.  Georgia, Alabama, Cal and LSU each received $25,000 for their general scholarship funds.  In four years, the Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation has donated more than $450,000 to various charities, including the four universities.

Voters for the award include selected members of the national media, previous finalists, the Board of Directors of the Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation, The IMPACT Foundation Board of Advisers comprised of many retired NFL players and Master Coaches, a distinguished group of former head college coaches.

The winner will be announced at a gala black-tie banquet at The Pacific Club in Newport Beach, Ca. on December 14th, 2008.

The 2008 Lott Trophy Watch List

Asher Allen, CB, Georgia, Jr., 5-10, 198 (Tucker, Ga)
Ted Bentler, DT, Army, Sr., 6-3, 251 (Bettendorf. Ia)
Eric Berry, DB, Tennessee, So., 5-11, 195 (Fairburn, Ga)
Russell Brorsen, DE, Kansas, Sr., 6-4, 240 (Stillwater, Ok)
Reggie Carter, LB, UCLA, Jr., 6-1, 220 (Los Angeles)
Jonathan Casillas, LB, Wisconsin, Sr., 6-2, 214 (New Brunswick, NJ)
Maurice Crum, Jr., LB, Notre Dame, Sr., 6-0, 225 (Riverview, Fl)
Aaron Curry, LB, Wake Forest, Sr., 6-3, 240 (Fayetville, NC)
Brian Cushing, LB, USC, Sr., 6-4, 245 (Park Ridge, NJ)
Zack Follett, LB, Cal, Sr., 6-2, 237 (Clovis, Ca)
Courtney Greene, S, Rutgers, Sr., 6-2, 210 (New Rochelle, NY)
Nic Harris, DB, Oklahoma, Sr., 6-3, 226 (Alexandria, La)
Mark Herzlich, LB, Boston College, Jr., 6-4, 238 (Wayne, Pa)
Brandon Hughes, CB, Oregon State, Sr., 5-11, 182 (Bloomington, In)
George Hypolite, DE, Colorado, Sr., 6-1, 285 (Los Angeles)
Jeremy Jarmon, DE, Kentucky, Jr., 6-3, 268 (Collierville, Tn)
Malcolm Jenkins, CB, Ohio State, Sr., 6-1, 208 (Piscataway, NJ)
Jan Jorgensen, DE, BYU, Jr., 6-3, 260, (Helper, Ut)
Mitch King, DT, Iowa, Sr., 6-3, 264 (Burlington, Ia)
John Larson, DL, Kansas, Sr., 6-3, 250 (Kansas City)
James Laurinaitis, LB, Ohio State, Sr., 6-3, 244 (Hamel, Mn)
Taylor Mays, S, USC, Jr., 6-4, 225 (Seattle)
Tyrone McKenzie, LB, South Florida, Sr., 6-2, 235 (Riverview, Fl)
Bo McNally, S, Stanford, Sr., 6-0, 208 (Salt Lake City)
Greg Middleton, DE, Indiana, Jr., 6-3, 275 (Indianapolis)
Scott Mikillop, LB, Pitt, Sr., 6-2, 240 (Export, Pa)
Brit Miller, LB, Illinois, Sr., 6-1, 251 (Decatur, Il)
William Moore, S, Missouri, Sr., 6-1, 215 (Hayti, Mo)
Troy Nolan, S, Arizona State, Sr., 6-2, 204 (Los Angeles)
Eric Norwood, DE, South Carolina, Jr., 6-0, 258 (Acworth, Ga)
Brian Orakpo, DE, Texas, Sr., 6-4, 260 (Houston)
Jeff Owens, DT, Georgia, Sr., 6-3, 298 (Sunrise, Fl)
Kirston Pittman, DE, LSU, Sr., 6-4, 252 (Garyville, La)
Zach Potter, DE, Nebraska, Sr., 6-7, 285 (Omaha)
Nick Reed, DE, Oregon, Sr., 6-2, 255 (Trabuco Canyon, Ca)
Darryl Richard, DT, Georgia Tech, Sr., 6-4, 285 (Destrehan, La)
Myron Rolle, DB, Florida State, Jr., 6-2, 215 (Galloway, NJ)
George Selvie, DE, South Florida, Jr., 6-4, 242 (Pensacola, Fl)
Brandon Spikes, LB, Florida, Jr., 6-3, 245 (Shelby, NC)
Alterraun Verner, DB, UCLA, Jr., 5-11, 178 (Carson, Ca)
Sean Weatherspoon, LB, Missouri, Jr., 6-1, 230 (Jasper, Tx)
Reed Williams, LB, West Virginia, Sr., 6-2, 225 (Moorefield, WVa)

For Further Information Contact:

Pete Donovan
Media Relations, The Lott Trophy
Plays4pars@aol.com

About the Lott Trophy:

The Lott Trophy was established by The Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation to honor college football’s Defensive IMPACT Player of the Year.

The award is unique because it represents the first trophy to give equal weight to personal character as well as athletic performance from a defensive college player and is the first national college football award based on the West Coast.

The Lott Trophy was named in honor of Ronnie Lott - a two time All -American for USC and College Football Hall of Fame inductee. Ronnie Lott went on to win four Super Bowl rings with the San Francisco 49ers, ten trips to the Pro Bowl and a spot in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Always known as a fierce competitor, he was a leader who had IMPACT both on and off the field. 

A look at The Lott Trophy, by the numbers:
2—Defensive Linemen who have won the award (David Pollack, Georgia, 2004; Dorsey, LSU, 2007 – the others were Linebacker DeMeco Ryans, Alabama, 2005, and Defensive Back Dante Hughes, Cal, 2006)

3—Winners from SEC schools (Pollack, Georgia, 2004; Ryans,Alabama, 2005; Dorsey, LSU, 2007).

3—Finalists from The Ohio State University (AJ Hawk, 2005; Quinn Pitcock, 2006; James Laurinaitis, 2007).  No other school has had more than one.

4—Number of Lott Trophy banquets held.

4—Number of Lott Trophy banquets sold out.

4—Major awards won by Glenn Dorsey in 2007 – Lott, Lombardi, Outland, Nagurski.

6—Finalists from the Big Ten (Jim Leonhard, Wisconsin; Paul Posluszny, Penn State; J Leman, Illinois plus three Ohio State players – ACC is the only other school with at least two: Darryl Tapp, Virginia Tech, 2005; Chris Long, Virginia, 2007)

7—Finalists who have won starting jobs in the NFL (at least one game) – Pollack (Bengals), Derrick Johnson, Texas (Chiefs), Leonhard (Bills), Ryans (Texans), Hawk (Packers), Tapp (Seahawks), Posluszny (Bills).

8—Pro Football Hall of Famers attending The Lott Banquet over the years (Marcus Allen, Frank Gifford, Howie Long, Ronnie Lott, Merlin Olsen, Lynn Swann, Bill Walsh, Ron Yary)

12—College Football Hall of Famers attending The Lott Banquet (Allen, Jon Arnett, Brad Budde, Terry Donahue, Pat Dye, Mike Garrett, Gifford, Frank Kush, Lott, Olsen, Swann, Yary)

440,000—Dollars raised for charity in first four years of the banquet.

Dorsey is a 6-2, 300-pound senior from Gonzales, La. who has already won the Nagurski, Lombardi and Outland awards this week.

Dorsey was presented the trophy by Ronnie Lott, the Hall of Fame defensive back who starred at USC and was an All-Pro in the NFL.

The other finalists were James Laurinaitis of Ohio State, J Leman of Illinois and Chris Long of Virginia.

In its fourth year, The Lott Trophy honors the college football Defensive IMPACT Player of the Year.  The student-athlete is judged on both his on-field performance and his off-field performance.  The Lott Trophy is the first sports award based on personal character and is appropriately named after the legendary defensive back, Ronnie Lott.  The first three winners were David Pollack of Georgia, DeMeco Ryans of Alabama and Dante Hughes of Cal.

Voting for the winner was conducted by Ernst & Young with ballots being sent to college offensive and defensive coordinators, national media, The Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation Board of Directors, a Board of Advisors made up of former NFL players and coaches as well as the Master Coaches, a group of distinguished former college head coaches.

LSU will receive $25,000 from The Pacific Club’s IMPACT Foundation for its general scholarship fund while Ohio State, Illinois and Virginia will each receive $5,000.

The 16 quarter-finalists will be announced Oct. 22; the seven semi-finalists Nov. 12 and the four finalists Nov. 27.

The four finalists will be flown to Newport Beach for the banquet.  The university of the winner will receive $25,000 for its general scholarship fund while the three universities of the runnerups will receive $5,000 each for their general scholarship fund.

Voters for The Lott Trophy are college offensive and defensive coordinators, former head coaches who make up the Master Coaches, the Board of Directors of The Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation, The Lott Trophy Board of Advisors and selected members of the national media.

The Dec. 9 black-tie banquet at The Pacific Club, already sold out for the fourth consecutive year, will be televised live by Fox Sports.  Hall of Famer Merlin Olsen will receive The Lott Trophy Lifetime IMPACT Award.  There will also be a video tribute to the late Bill Walsh, a founding member of the Board.

Former banquets have featured Bill Walsh, John Robinson, Terry Donahue, Frank Gifford, Marcus Allen, Jack Kemp, Mike Garrett, Pat Haden and Will Ferrell as keynote speakers.

The 2007 Lott Trophy Watch List
Xavier Adibi, LB, Virginia Tech, Sr., 6-2, 226 (Hampton, Va)
Jamar Adams, S, Michigan, Sr., 6-2, 212 (Charlotte, NC)
Josh Barrett, S, Arizona St., Sr., 6-2, 227 (Reno, Nv)
Tommy Blake, DE, TCU, Sr., 6-3, 250 (Aransas Pass, Tx)
Caleb Campbell, DB, Army, Sr., 6-2, 224 (Perryton, Tx)
Jonathan Casillas, LB, Wisconsin, Jr., 6-2, 214 (New Brunswick, NJ)
Antoine Cason, DB, Arizona, Sr., 6-0, 182 (Long Beach, Ca)
Simeon Castille, CB, Alabama, Sr., 6-1, 189, (Birmingham, Al)
Dan Connor, LB, Penn State, Sr., 6-3, 225 (Wallingford, Pa)
Shawn Crable, LB, Michigan, Sr., 6-5, 245 (Massillon, Oh)
Maurice Crum, LB, Notre Dame, Sr., 6-0, 225 (Riverview, Fl)
Brian Cushing, LB, USC, Jr., 6-4, 245 (Park Ridge, NJ)
Bruce Davis, DE, UCLA, Sr., 6-3, 237 (Houston, Tx)
Jordan Dizon, LB, Colorado, Sr., 6-0, 225 (Kauai, Hawaii)
Glenn Dorsey, DL, LSU, Sr., 6-2, 299 (Gonzales, La)
Sedrick Ellis, DT, USC, Sr., 6-1, 295 (Chino, Ca)
Zack Follett, LB, Cal, Jr., 6-2, 237 (Clovis, Ca)
Eric Foster, DT, Rutgers, Sr., 6-2, 265 (Homestead, Fl)
Vince Hall, LB, Virginia Tech, Sr., 6-0, 240 (Chesapeake, Va)
Chris Harrington, DL, Texas A&M, Sr., 6-5, 267 (Houston)
Nic Harris, DB, Oklahoma, Jr., 6-3, 226 (Alexandria, La)
Derrick Harvey, DL, Florida, Jr., 6-4, 245 (Greenbelt, Md)
Jonathan Hefney, S, Tennessee, Sr., 5-9, 186 (Rock Hill, SC)
Chris Horton, CB, UCLA, Sr., 6-1, 210 (New Orleans)
Kelin Johnson, SS, Georgia, Sr., 6-1, 194 (Daytona Beach, Fl)
Cody Kase, LB, New Mexico, Sr., 6-2, 212 (Valencia, Ca)
Drew Kelson, LB, Texas, Sr., 6-2, 215 (Houston)
Mike Klinkenborg, LB, Iowa, Sr., 6-2, 240 (Rock Rapids, Ia)
Nick Larkin, DE, Boston College, Sr., 6-4, 250 (Cincinnati)
James Laurinaitis, LB, Ohio State, Jr., 6-3, 244 (Hamel, Mn)
J Leman, LB, Illinois, Sr., 6-3, 244 (Champaign, Il)
Chris Long, DL, Virginia, Sr., 6-4, 284 (Ivy, Va)
Derek Lokey, DT, Texas, Sr., 6-2, 280 (Denton, Tx)
Dwight Lowery, CB, San Jose State, Sr., 6-1, 185 (Santa Cruz, Ca)
Marc Magro, LB, West Virginia, Sr., 6-3, 240 (Morgantown, WVa)
Jeff Van Orsow, DL, Oregon State, Sr., 6-4, 262 (Las Vegas)
Darryl Richard, DT, Georgia Tech, Sr., 6-4, 285 (Destrehan, La)
Keith Rivers, LB, USC, Sr., 6-3, 230 (Lake Mary, Fl)
Bo Ruud, LB, Nebraska, Sr., 6-3, 235 (Lincoln, Ne)
Eric Wicks, DB, West Virginia, Sr., 6-1, 205 (Pittsburgh)
Wesley Woodyard, LB, Kentucky, Sr., 6-1, 212 (La Grange, Ga)
Tom Zbikowski, S, Notre Dame, Sr., 6-0, 210 (Arlington Hts, Il)

The award goes to a former athlete who excelled on the field and went on to a distinguished post-football career.

Olsen, a member of the fabled Fearsome Foursome of the Los Angeles Rams, was a college All-American at Utah State where he won the 1961 Outland Trophy as the outstanding lineman in the nation.  Drafted in the first round by the Rams in 1962, he played in a record 14 consecutive Pro Bowls, the most in NFL history.  He is widely considered the finest defensive tackle to ever play in the league and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility.

Moreover, Olsen was also a superb student.  He received his master’s degree in economics from Utah State where he was Phi Kappa Phi and was inducted in the first class of the Academic All-American Hall of Fame.

Following his football career, Olsen became a highly acclaimed football announcer for NBC as well as an accomplished actor, appearing as a regular in “Little House on the Prairie” and then starring in his own show, “Father Murphy.”

Among his many charitable endeavors is the Children’s Miracle Network, which has raised monies for various children’s hospital around the nation for the past 25 years. 

Known as one of the most dynamic motivational and inspirational speakers in the country, Olsen has been a popular figure on the banquet circuit for many years.

Merlin Olsen and his wife Susan have been married 44 years.  They have three children—Kelly, Jill and Nathan—and four grandchildren.

The Lott Trophy is named after Hall of Famer Ronnie Lott and goes to the outstanding college defensive player of the year who has had the biggest IMPACT on his team both on and off the field.  IMPACT stands for Integrity, Maturity, Performance, Academics, Community and Tenacity. It represents the first college football trophy to give equal weight to personal character as well as athletic performance.

Sponsored by the The Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation, the Lott Trophy has donated nearly $300,000 to various charities throughout the United States in just three years.

Forty-two of the top college players in the country have been named to the “Watch List” for 2007 with the winner being announced at the annual banquet.

The previous winners have been David Pollack of Georgia in 2004, DeMeco Ryans of Alabama in 2005 and Daymeion Hughes of Cal in 2006.  Ryans went on to be named the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year last season with the Houston Texans.

The banquet, a gala black-tie event at The Pacific Club, has featured Jack Kemp, Frank Gifford, Will Ferrell, John Robinson and Bill Walsh as speakers in the past.  It is sold out for 2007.