The Godfather of modern day University of Louisville football, Howard Schnellenberger and his guiding light, Beverlee, were on hand Wednesday at the Galt House for the first Paul Hornung Award for the most versatile player in college football, presented to Owen Marecic (center) of Stanford.

Schnellenberger was a teammate of Hornung’s on basketball and football teams at the old Flaget High School during the early Fifties. Schnellenberger, in fact, was the 6-foot-2 center for the basketball team, recalling that the only way he ever got to take a shot with Hornung on his team was fight like hell for a rebound, dribble the ball the distance of the court, and drive for a layup. “Those guys would never give me the ball back,’ he said.

The coach lamented that he and Beverlee never had an opportunity to say goodbye the right way after leaving UofL in the early nineties to take the Oklahoma head coaching job. “Despite that, the community held me in their heart and I very much appreciate that,” he said. “I love this town.”

Schnellenberger also said the naming of the football complex in his honor was one of the most endearing tributes he had ever received. “I brought my Florida Atlantic team up here for a massacre and I thought they were going to give me a plaque,” he recalled. “I was shocked when they unveiled my name on the building.”

During the Hornung event, the first Howard Schnellenberger Award was presented to Kentucky running back Derrick Locke as the outstanding player in the UofL-UK football game. An assistant coach accepted the award for him.

Also on hand for the event was Sam Madison, one of the most versatile football players in UofL history, showing off the ring he received after the New York Giants defeated the previously unbeaten New England Patriots in the Super Bowl in 2008.

Madison was a three-year defensive standout for UofL and still holds the all-time record for interceptions with 16 to go with 44 deflections. He was also used as a wide receiver and runback specialist, spectacular at times with his incredible speed.

He is a member of the selection committee for the Paul Hornung Award.

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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.