The Louisville Sports Commission today announced the creation of the Howard Schnellenberger MVP Award that will be presented annually to the most valuable player on the winning team in the University of Louisville – University of Kentucky football game. The announcement was made in conjunction with the athletic departments at both universities and the blessing of Schnellenberger, who has ties to both programs and remarkable football credentials.
“It is a source of great pride for me to become a part of the Governor’s Cup Football Game,” Schnellenberger said. “This intense rivalry has become the defining game for collegiate football within the Commonwealth of Kentucky. My hat’s off to the Wildcat and Cardinal teams, coaches and fans.”
Schnellenberger was recruited to UK out of Louisville Flaget (fla-jay’) High School 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 boosted support for a new, on-campus stadium. He led the Cardinals to victories in the Liberty and Fiesta Bowls.
The annual renewal of the intrastate rivalry between the Cardinals and the Wildcats will be played September 4 at Papa John’s Cardinal Stadium in Louisville. The Howard Schnellenberger MVP will be selected by a vote of the working press covering the game as identified by the sports information directors from each school. Voting will take place near or at completion of the game at the discretion of the SIDs.
Schnellenberger currently is head coach and director of football operations at Florida Atlantic University, having built the Division I program from scratch starting in 1998. At Miami, Louisville and FAU, Schnellenberger-coached teams are a remarkable 6-0 in bowl games. Schnellenberger was an integral part of four national championships in college football and two Super Bowl victories. He coached the University of Miami to the 1983 national championship and was offensive coordinator under Bryant at Alabama for national titles in 1961-64-65. He was the offensive coordinator for the Miami Dolphins under Don Shula, including the 17-0 season in 1972, and assistant for the Los Angeles Rams under George Allen.
11 Responses to Schnellenberger MVP Award to be presented Saturday
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“Mumbles” has always been a great character in the Commonwealth and his ties to both programs makes him the perfect namesake for the award. I am just shocked that the idea came out of UofL. Oh well, I guess even a stopped clock is right twice a day!
If your heart is not on Planet Blue, your head is in Uranus.
ClassyCatFan…is that you new motto? Mind if I use it on a few emails I might send out? LOL
I never ever liked Mumbles. When he lived in Louavull, his wife would go to Krogers and they would have to have someone follow her through the store. She would open jars of food, taste it and if she didn’t like it put it back on the shelf. She would never pay for the stuff she opened.
Linda,
Yes, that is my new motto. You are welcome to use it anytime. Great story about Mrs. Mumbles, never knew that.
who won?
Locke
Well deserved!!!!!!!!
Locke was an easy vote — even for me
Larry, Danny Trevathan has been named the SEC Defensive Player of the Week by the SEC. I agree that Locke’s performance was outstanding, and he is an excellent and deserving recipient, but perhaps Danny Trevathan was equally deserving.
Larry, Who won the Schnellenberger MVP award. I never did see anything about it.
It was Derrick Locke, and yes, I did vote for him Sarah
The sportscasters on television talked about it non-stop – then, the game was over and not another word. Sorry I was behind the time. I probably would have voted for him as well. He did a great job.