2010 Paul Hornung Award Watch List Released

LOUISVILLE, KY (Aug 17, 2010) – The Louisville Sports Commission, with football legend Paul Hornung, today announced the Watch List for the inaugural Paul Hornung Award that will be given annually to the most versatile player in major college football. www.paulhornungaward.com

The Watch List, comprised of 48 players, was compiled by a panel of college football experts based on 2009 statistics and expectations heading into the 2010 season. The list will be updated during the course of the season based on players’ performances.

“Paul Hornung was a playmaker and the spirit of the Paul Hornung Award is to recognize versatile, high-level performers who make an impact on the game,” said Karl Schmitt, executive director of the Louisville Sports Commission. “The Watch List is a work in progress, and we are particularly pleased from the outset to draw attention to almost two dozen individuals that have not received recognition with other awards.”

Nearly half of the players – a total of 23 – do not appear on any major college football award watch list published to date. Most candidates had a minimum of three different “touches” in 2009 – catching, running, passing, returning kicks, returning punts, holding for placements, tackling, deflecting / intercepting a pass or recovering a fumble. In 2009, the 48 players on the list amassed a combined: 

  • 15,581 rushing yards and 186 TDs
  • 19,808 receiving yards and 128 TDs
  • 10,187 passing yards and 83 TDs
  • 438 punt returns, 4,960 yards, 15 TDs; 822 KOs 21,175 yards and 28 TDs
  • 360 total touchdowns and 2,174points
  • 374 tackles; eight forced fumbles; 35 passes broken up
  • 12 interceptions, two returned for TDs; two fumbles returned for TDs
  • Three blocked kicks

There are 25 seniors, 18 juniors and five sophomores on the list, representing all 11 conferences that are part of the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS). Go to www.paulhornungaward.com/candidates for more information on the players.

Players from all FBS teams are eligible. Appearing on the Watch List is not a prerequisite for winning the Award. The Selection Committee will narrow the field to approximately 10-15 Finalists at the end of the regular season in early December then will select the winner at or near the end of the bowl season in early January.

The Paul Hornung Award Banquet will be held in late January at the Galt House Hotel in downtown Louisville.

The Paul Hornung Award is sponsored in part by Leapfrog Interactive, Galt House Hotel, Publishers Printing, Central Bank and Dean Dorton Allen Ford. www.paulhornungaward.com/sponsorship The Paul Hornung Award Banquet will be held in late January at the Galt House in downtown Louisville.

Created by the Louisville Sports Commission, the Paul Hornung Award is designed to recognize versatile, high-level performers in major college football and help preserve the legacy of one of Kentucky’s best known athletes. A panel of experts will select the inaugural winner in early January 2011. The votes will be tabulated by a full service accounting firm. Hornung is considered by many the best all-around player in the history of college and pro football. He won the 1956 Heisman Trophy at quarterback for Notre Dame and was the No. 1 pick in the 1957 NFL draft. He played every position in the backfield during his career with the Irish, where he also punted, kicked, returned kicks and played defensive back and was a multi-threat offensive back and prolific kicker in the pros. He was a member of four NFL championship teams as an all-pro halfback for the Green Bay Packers and led the NFL in scoring 1959-60-61, set the single season scoring record in 1960 with 176 points and was named League MVP following the 1961 season. Legendary Packers Coach Vince Lombardi called Hornung, “The most versatile man ever to play the game.” Paul is a member of the College and Pro Football Halls of Fame and the Kentucky Sports Hall of Fame and resides in his hometown of Louisville, Kentucky. More information go to www.paulhornungaward.com

In the spirit of partnerhsip with Paul Hornung, the Louisville Sports commission (LSC) will oversee and administer all aspects of the Paul Hornung Award including budget, selection process, marketing and PR, banquet, trophy, sponsorships, etc. An Advisory Committee co-chaired by LSC Chairman Steve Higdon and Executive Director Karl Schmitt and comprised of LSC Board leadership and local business leaders will provide guidance and insure integrity of the Award. The Louisville Sports Commission is a Louisville, Kentucky-based 501-c (3) organization committed to creating a legacy of economic and social vitality through sports. LSC attracts and hosts sporting events and activities that have a positive economic impact on the City, enhance the image of the Louisville area as a premier sports destination, promote healthy lifestyles and improve the quality of life for community members of all ages. More information on the LSC is available at www.louisvillesports.org and on our Facebook fan page.


Copyright 2011. The Paul Hornung Award. All Rights Reserved.