44th annual Lombardi Award to be presented Dec. 12

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Chris Oliver, who has led the Lindsey Wilson Blue Raiders to the NAIA national tournament again this year, will be the keynote speaker at the 44th annual Clinton County Vince Lombardi Down Lineman of the Year Award banquet.

This year’s event will be held 6:30 p.m. Dec. 12 at the Expo Center on the Clinton County Fairgrounds, according to event chairman Bill Liermann.

Eight football players, two offensive or defensive down linemen from each of the Clinton County high school teams, are nominated by their respective coaches for the honor. The winner receives a block of granite award, which is similar to the one awarded to the top collegiate lineman each year.

The block of granite is in reference to Lombardi’s playing days as a lineman for Fordham University. The unit was so strong they were called “seven blocks of granite.”

The collegiate award was started shortly after the death of Vince Lombardi, legendary NFL coach of the Green Bay Packers and, at the time of his death, the Washington Redskins.

Lombardi passed away in September 1970. Clinton County’s involvement with the award started in 1973, when former Wilmington News Journal sports editor Clarence Graham and local businessman Harold Losey served as the co-chairpersons. At that time, the event was held at the Bengal Room at Duff’s Restaurant and was later held at the Wilmington Elks Lodge 797 and Roberts Arena, until moving to the Expo Center in recent years.

Those attending will receive a buffet meal from McCoy’s Catering. Each of the four booster clubs from the Clinton County schools, plus Beacon Orthopedics and Drayer Physical Therapy, assist in underwriting the cost of the event for the players, coaches and their families.

“Without the support from the booster clubs and the assistance from Beacon and Drayer since they arrived here in Wilmington, it would not be possible to continue this event like we have done in the past,” Liermann said.

The public is welcome to attend and can purchase a dinner ticket for $15.

Oliver and his Blue Raiders football team are one of 16 schools playing for the NAIA Football Championship Series Playoffs.

Lindsey Wilson (10-1) will host Grand View, Iowa (9-2) Saturday in the first round of the playoffs. Grand View defeated Lindsey Wilson 16-13 in the first round of the 2015 playoffs.

Oliver started the Lindsey Wilson program in 2010 and has a 51-27 record as the head coaching. This is Oliver’s third appearance with LW in the national playoffs.

Oliver attended Wilmington City Schools through his sophomore year then transferred to Blanchester High School for his junior and senior years of football. He graduated from BHS in 1999.

Oliver has coached at Ohio State University, Ohio Dominican University and Lindsey Wilson College since 2001.

Down lineman, shown here during the East Clinton game with Greeneview earlier this season, will be honored Dec. 12 at the Expo Center during the 44th annual Clinton County Vince Lombardi Down Lineman of the Year Award banquet. Lineman for East Clinton in the photo are Jaren Evans (61), Travis Knell (63), Noah Suiter (69) and Cody Fosbrink (27).
http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2016/11/web1_FB3_ec_DefLineMEL2-1.jpgDown lineman, shown here during the East Clinton game with Greeneview earlier this season, will be honored Dec. 12 at the Expo Center during the 44th annual Clinton County Vince Lombardi Down Lineman of the Year Award banquet. Lineman for East Clinton in the photo are Jaren Evans (61), Travis Knell (63), Noah Suiter (69) and Cody Fosbrink (27). Mel Arnold | News Journal File

Chris Oliver
http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2016/11/web1_oliver.mug_-1.jpgChris Oliver Courtesy Photo
Lombardi event recognizes linemen

By Mark Huber

[email protected]

WHAT: 44th annual Vince Lombardi Down Lineman of the Year Award banquet

WHEN: 6:30 p.m. Dec. 12

WHERE: Expo Center, Clinton County Fairgrounds

WHO: Chris Oliver is keynote speaker

WHY: 1 of 8 nominees from county teams will be honored with a block of granite trophy.

Reach Mark Huber at 937-556-5765, or on Twitter @wnjsports

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