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Houston, Texas - The Rotary Club of Houston today announced the 12 semifinalists for the 2009 Rotary Lombardi Award.
 
Since 1970, the Rotary Lombardi Award has been presented annually to the nation's top college football lineman (offense or defense) who, in addition to outstanding performance and ability, best exemplifies the discipline of Vince Lombardi.
 
In alphabetical order, the 12 semifinalists are:
•    Terrence Cody, Alabama, NG, #62, Sr., 6-5, 365, Ft. Myers, FL
•    Rennie Curran, Georgia, LB, #35, Jr., 5-11, 228, Snellville, GA
•    Carlos Dunlap, Florida, DE, #8, Jr., 6-6, 290, North Charleston, SC
•    Jerry Hughes, TCU, DE, #98, Sr., 6-3, 257, Sugar Land, TX
•    Rolando McClain, Alabama, LB, #25, Jr., 6-4, 258, Decatur, AL
•    Gerald McCoy, Oklahoma, #93, DT, Jr., 6-4, 297, Oklahoma City, OK
•    Eric Norwood, South Carolina, LB, #40, Sr., 6-1, 252, Acworth, GA
•    Russell Okung, Oklahoma State, LT, #76, Sr., 6-5, 300, Houston, TX
•    George Selvie, South Florida, DE, #95, Sr., 6-4, 250, Pensacola, FL
•    Brandon Spikes, Florida, LB, #51, Sr., 6-3, 258, Shelby, NC
•    Ndamukong Suh, Nebraska, DT, #93, Sr., 6-4, 300, Portland, OR
•    Sean Weatherspoon, Missouri, LB, #12, Sr., 6-2, 245, Jasper, TX

On Nov. 10, the four finalists will be announced. All of the finalists will travel to Houston for the ceremony to announce the winner on Dec. 9. Former Green Bay Packers standouts Bart Starr and Jerry Kramer will participate in the 2009 Rotary Lombardi Award ceremonies as will Vince Lombardi Jr., the son of the award's namesake.

The voters for the Rotary Lombardi Award consist of all head coaches of NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision teams, all of the former winners and finalists of the Rotary Lombardi Award, and selected members of the media.

The Rotary Club of Houston founded the Rotary Lombardi Award in 1970, in the weeks following the death of legendary football coach Vince Lombardi from cancer. The 40th Rotary Lombardi Award dinner will be held on December 9, 2009, at the Hilton Americas Hotel. Net proceeds from the event benefit the American Cancer Society. For more information call the Rotary Club of Houston at 713-973-9936 or visit the website at www.rotarylombardiaward.org.

The Rotary Club of Houston, in operation since 1912, is an association of successful business professionals, all prominent in their individual fields of endeavor, who volunteer their efforts through the work of some two dozen club committees that provide hundreds of hours of community service.  Members meet weekly for luncheon or breakfast meetings featuring compelling speakers. One luncheon meeting per month is also dedicated to serving others through partnerships with community organizations and non-profits.  For more information, please visit www.rotaryhouston.org.