Marecic Honored at Inaugural Paul Hornung Award Banquet

Stanford senior Owen Marecic and Kentucky senior Derrick Locke were honored Tuesday evening during the inaugural Paul Hornung Award Banquet sponsored by Jewish Hospital Sports Medicine held at the Galt House Hotel in downtown Louisville.

Hosted by the Louisville Sports Commission, dignitaries Paul Hornung and Howard Schnellenberger were among over 600 individuals to see Marecic presented the inaugural Hornung Award as most versatile player in major college football and Locke the Howard Schnellenberger MVP Award from the Kentucky - Louisville football game.

The evening's program included interviews by Hornung Award selection committee member Lesley Visser of CBS Sports with former NFL stars Sam Madison (University of Louisville, Miami Dolphins, NY Giants) and Will Wolford (Louisville native, Vanderbilt, Buffalo Bills, Pittsburgh Steelers).

A throwback to another era, two-way starter Marecic was selected the inaugural winner of the Paul Hornung Award as the most versatile player in major college football on Jan. 10.

"I am very honored to receive such an award," said Marecic. "It was a special year and a real special group of guys. For myself, I just played a small role in the whole process all year. I was just trying to do whatever I had to do to help the team out as much as I could all year. We had tremendous talent on my team and great coaches. They have been so patient and persistent all year. With the talent around me, I had the easiest job all year. I played a small role in everything. If the coaches said, 'We need 3 yards, I said, 'All right, I'll get one of them.'"

The Cardinal senior started in all 13 Stanford games, nine on both sides of the ball, earning first team All-Pac 10 honors at fullback and honorable mention at linebacker. He logged an average of 110 plays per game - equivalent to nearly two full seasons - and was the only two-way starting player among Football Bowl Subdivision teams in 2010. Marecic was named American Football Coaches Association First Team All-America as the All-Purpose Player.

On the season, Marecic rushed 23 times for 46 yards and five TDS and was fifth leading tackler with 51 stops. A bruising blocker, he also paved the way for the Cardinal to average 213.8 yards per game on the ground, which ranked 19th-best in the nation. On defense, he recorded 5.5 tackles-for-loss, two sacks, two interceptions, five pass breakups and one fumble recovery. Marecic earned honorable mention All-America, first team All-Pac-10 Academic honors and second team ESPN/CoSIDA Academic All-America honors and was a finalist for the William V. Campbell Trophy, awarded to the top scholar-athlete in college football.

Locke was named the inaugural recipient of the Howard Schnellenberger MVP Award for his performance in a 23-16 win over Louisville on Sept. 3, 2010 at Papa John's Cardinal Stadium in Louisville. Locke registered 104 yards rushing on 23 carries in the game while recording two first quarter touchdowns. Locke had first quarter touchdown runs of 32 and one yards. It marked the first time in his career that Locke had registered two rushing touchdowns in a game. Locke also had a 23-yard kick return.

Paul Hornung Award

Created by the Louisville Sports Commission in 2010, 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 national selection committee comprised of 16 sports journalists and former NFL stars votes for the winner, and the votes are tabulated independently by regional accounting firm Dean Dorton Allen Ford. In the spirit of partnership with Paul Hornung, the Louisville Sports commission (LSC) oversees all administrative aspects Award. The Paul Hornung Award Advisory Committee, comprised of LSC Board leadership and local business leaders, is co-chaired by LSC Chairman Steve Higdon and Executive Director Karl Schmitt. For more information visit:www.paulhornungaward.com. Paul Hornung Paul 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. Hornung was a multi-threat, all-pro halfback and prolific kicker as a member of four NFL championship teams for the Green Bay Packers. He 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 1960 and 1961 seasons. Legendary Packers Coach Vince Lombardi called Hornung, "The most versatile man ever to play the game." Paul is enshrined in the National High School Hall of Fame, College and Pro Football Halls of Fame and the Kentucky Sports Hall of Fame and resides in his hometown of Louisville, Kentucky, with his wife, Angela.

Howard Schnellenberger MVP Award

The Schnellenberger award, presented annually to the most valuable player on the winning team in the University of Louisville - University of Kentucky football game, is selected by a vote of the working press covering the game. Schnellenberger, current Head Coach at Florida Atlantic University, is the only person enshrined in both the UK and UofL Athletic Halls of Fame. A Louisville native, Schnellenberger was recruited to UK by the legendary Bear Bryant, earned varsity letters in 1952-53-54-55 and was an All-American tight end for the Wildcats under Blanton Collier as a senior. Schnellenberger was an assistant coach at UK under Collier in 1959 and 1960. As the head coach at UofL for 10 years (1985-1994), Schnellenberger is credited with rejuvenating the football program and boosting support for a new, on-campus stadium. He led the Cardinals to victories in the Liberty and Fiesta Bowls.

Louisville Sports Commission

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, hosts and owns 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.