Former University of Louisville coach Howard Schnellenberger gets together with Dexter Heyman prior to the Paul Hornung Award ceremonies.

Mike Ditka, better known as “Iron Mike” to his associates in the NFL, had an urgent plea for Dexter Heyman during the Paul Hornung Award ceremonies Thursday at the Galt House.

Mike Ditka

“Young man, if you don’t carry on in professional football, get your ass into politics,” said the former coach of the Chicago Bears. “We need people like you in public office.”

Heyman, who played defensive linebacker at the University of Louisville, was the recipient of the Howard Schnellenberger Award which is presented to the outstanding player in the annual U of L-Kentucky football game. He had four tackles and four tackle assists and forced a fumble in U of L’s 24-17 win.

Before accepting the award, the well-spoken Heyman had described the unselfish atmosphere in the U of L football program, the emphasis on academics and the importance of applying lessons learned in football and school to life.

Dexter Heyman

Defensive Coordinator Vance Bedford introduced Heyman in his own inimitable way, describing Heyman as a rock solid citizen who will do well in whatever he chooses to do. He also promised the packed Archibald Cochran Room that Louisville would never relinquish the Howard Schnellenberger trophy.

The Paul Hornung Award for college football’s most versatile player during the 2011 season went to Brandon Boykin of the University of Georgia.

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By Charlie Springer

Charlie Springer is a former Louisville editor and sportswriter, a public affairs consultant, a UofL grad and longtime fan.

7 thoughts on “Dexter Heyman earns Howard Schnellenberger Award”
  1. LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The University of Louisville men’s basketball team will participate in the 2012 Battle 4 Atlantis, an eight-team tournament staged on Nov. 22-25 at the famed Atlantis Resort on Paradise Island, Bahamas. The impressive field includes six teams that have participated in the NCAA Final Four over the last 15 seasons and three that are ranked among the nation’s top 25 teams in the most recent Jan. 16 polls.

    The 2012 Battle 4 Atlantis field consists of Duke, Louisville, Memphis, Minnesota, Missouri, Northern Iowa, Stanford and Virginia Commonwealth in a 12-game tournament that will be televised by NBC Sports Network and HDNet. Harvard won the 2011 event, which also included such teams as Connecticut, Florida State and UCF. The eight teams in the 2012 Battle 4 Atlantis field have combined for more than 160 NCAA postseason appearances.

    The temporary arena boasts state-of-the-art regulation facilities at the epicenter of the world’s largest open-air marine habitat, complete with lavish guest accommodations, restaurants, bars, spa, lounges, waterslides and the largest casino in the Bahamas. The event, which drew more than 4,000 fans to the 2011 championship game featuring UCF and Harvard, will award more than $2 million to participating teams.

    Visit http://www.Battle4Atlantis.com to sign up for 2012 Battle 4 Atlantis news about the 2012 tournament.

    1. We will be closing out a great football season at about that time so, no, we won’t be going to see a basketball tournament out on some island. We warm up to basketball in about mid-December.

  2. Congratulations to Dexter. He will always be a favorite Cardinal of mine for enduring the SK debacle.

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