Trench trophy

The Trench Trophy Logo

The Trench Trophy is an award which recognizes high school football lineman in the Western New York area. The award was founded by Len Kuhn and Carl Kuras, and is run and sponsored by Lancaster Elks Lodge #1478 of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.

Award

Players are graded on specific criteria by a group of knowledgeable scouts, known as the Committee. The Committee is composed of coaches, former coaches, and former players, who attend the games of more than 80 schools on a weekly basis. Every week five players are chosen as "Nominees," who are then eligible for the final award. After the state championships are over, nominees are broken down to twelve Hall of Fame Inductees, and then one final winner. The "Lineman of the Year" receives a college scholarship, among other accolades.

John Gebhardt Memorial Scholarship

In August 2010, the Trench Trophy announced that their yearly college scholarship was named in honor of founding member and generous contributor John Gebhardt. The John Gebhardt Memorial Scholarship was decided by result of unanimous vote by the Committee. John was a dedicated supporter of the award since its inception.

Name

The name "Trench Trophy" was approved on August 18, 2003, at the first meeting of the Trench Trophy Committee. It comes from the adage that lineman play in the "trenches."

Current committee officers

• Carl Kuras.Co-Chairman
• Ed Sciera.Co-Chairman
• Philip Rizzi.Secretary
• Jerry Zajac.Treasurer
• Rick Coburn.Trustee
• Dennis Cronin.Trustee
• Carl Ertel.Trustee
• Chuck Graver.Trustee
• Dave Hajduk.Trustee
• Ron Kromer.Trustee
• Bill Pukalo.Trustee
• Don Sullivan.Trustee

• Sibby Constantino.Administrative Assistant
• Joe Marguccio.Technology

• Len Kuhn.Co-Founder
• Victor Rizzi.Co-Founder

• Joe Delamielleure.Special Contributor
• Jim McNally.Special Contributor

Lineman of the Year Award Winners

Past Winners:

• 2003: John Livingston.Eden Raiders
• 2004: Jason weber.Orchard Park Quakers
• 2005: Jesse Jesonowski.Iroquois Chiefs
• 2006: Gil Rodriguez.Frontier Falcons
• 2007: Nick Christman.Sweet Home Panthers
• 2008: John Urschel.Canisius Crusaders
• 2009: Jasen Carlson.Southwestern Trojans
• 2010: Dylan Anna.Pioneer Panthers
• 2011: Devon Leach.Orchard Park Quakers
• 2012: Ryan Hunter.Canisius Crusaders
• 2013: Jeremiah Bill.Hamburg Bulldogs
• 2014: Joe Mistretta.Jamestown Red Raiders
• 2015: Jake Fuzak.Williamsville South Billies
• 2016: Nathan Emer.Iroquois Chiefs

Hall of Fame

Grading Criteria

• Technique
• Determination
• Aggressiveness
• Intensity
• Ability to be a Team Player
• Coachability
• Consistency
• Courage
• Citizenship
• Scholastic Effort

[Size [height and/or weight] shall NOT be taken into consideration]

See also

• Elks
• Lancaster (village), New York

For More Information

• Trench Trophy Website
• Lancaster Elks Website
• Buffalo News Website
• Connolly Cup Website
• Section 6 Website
• Harvard Cup Website