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Wikipedia / Touchdown Club of Columbus

The Touchdown Club of Columbus was founded in Columbus, Ohio, in 1956 by Sam B. Nicola at the request of state auditor James A. Rhodes, who later became governor of the state. Nicola served as the club's president until his death in 1993. More than a decade later, his son Sam Nicola Jr. took over the Touchdown Club. On January 22, 2020, the president of the Touchdown Club of Columbus, Curt Boster, announced on the club's Facebook page the cancellation of the awards, citing difficulty of maintaining the event without a title sponsor.

Awards

The Touchdown Club of Columbus gave several awards to recognize outstanding athletes.

Sammy Baugh Trophy

The Sammy Baugh Trophy was awarded annually to the nation's top collegiate passer. It is named after TCU quarterback Sammy Baugh.

Jim Brown Trophy

This honor went to the NCAA's top running back, named after Syracuse running back Jim Brown.

Paul Warfield Trophy

Named after Ohio State wide receiver Paul Warfield, this honor was given to the nation's top collegiate wide receiver.

Jim Parker Trophy

Given yearly to the top collegiate offensive lineman. Named after Ohio State guard Jim Parker.

Bill Willis Trophy

Named after Ohio State middle guard Bill Willis, this award was given yearly to the top collegiate defensive lineman.

Jack Lambert Trophy

Named after Kent State linebacker Jack Lambert, this award was given yearly to the top collegiate linebacker.

Jack Tatum Trophy

Starting in 1991, the Jack Tatum Trophy was given yearly to the top collegiate defensive back. It is named after the legendary Ohio State safety Jack Tatum.

Archie Griffin Award

The Archie Griffin Award was given to college football's most valuable player for the entire season. It was named after the only two-time Heisman Trophy winner, Ohio State running back Archie Griffin.

Chic Harley Award

Named after Ohio State halfback Chic Harley, this award was presented to the College Football Player of the Year.

Kellen Moore Award

Previously called the Quarterback of the Year Award, this accolade differed from the Sammy Baugh Trophy in that it went to the top quarterback, rather than the top passer. Its name was changed to its current identity in 2012, honoring two-time winner Kellen Moore, who became the FBS all-time leader in wins by a quarterback after going 50–3 as the starter for the Boise State Broncos.

Ozzie Newsome Award

Named after Alabama tight end Ozzie Newsome, this award was presented annually to the top collegiate tight end.

Woody Hayes Trophy

Named after long-time Ohio State head football coach Woody Hayes, this award recognized the top collegiate coach.

Zuppke Award

Named after Illinois head coach Robert Zuppke, the Zuppke Award trophy was given to the Touchdown Club of Columbus's selection for national champion college football team.

Freshman of the Year

This award was given yearly to the top college football newcomer.

Vlade Award

Named in honor of Vlade Janakievski, one of the most accurate placekickers in Ohio State football history, this award was given yearly to the most accurate college football placekicker.

Paul Brown Trophy

Named after founder/head coach of both the Cleveland Browns and the Cincinnati Bengals Paul Brown, this trophy was presented annually to the NFL Coach of the Year.

Joe F. Carr Trophy

Named after National Football League (NFL) commissioner Joseph Carr, this trophy was presented annually (from 1955 to 1981) to the NFL Player of the Year. During a three-year span (1967–1969), there were an award for both the NFL and the American Football League (AFL).

Sam B. Nicola Trophy

Named for the club's founder, this trophy was presented annually to the National High School Player of the Year.

James A. Rhodes Trophy

The James A. Rhodes Trophy was awarded annually to the Ohio High School player of the year. It was named for former Governor of Ohio James A. Rhodes, who was state auditor when he made the suggestion that led to the founding of the Touchdown Club of Columbus.

  • 1969 – Steve Mauger, Massillon

  • 1970 – Ted McNulty, Upper Arlington

  • 1971 – Rick Middleton, Delaware Hayes

  • 1972 – Archie Griffin, Eastmoor

  • 1973 – Mike Gayles, Cincinnati Princeton

  • 1974 – Ted Bell, Youngstown Mooney

  • 1975 – John Ziepler, Warren Harding

  • 1976 – Joe Portale, St Edward

  • 1977 – Tim Koegel, Cincinnati Moeller

  • 1978 – Art Schlichter, Miami Trace

  • 1979 – Ken Roundtree, Cincinnati Moeller

  • 1980 – Eric Ellington, Cincinnati Moeller

  • 1981 – Mark Brooks, Cincinnati Moeller

  • 1982 – Tony Grant, Fremont Ross

  • 1983 – Hiawatha Francisco, Cincinnati Moeller

  • 1984 – Chris Spielman, Massillon

  • 1985 – Mark Kamphous, Cincinnati Moeller

  • 1986 – Jeff Davidson, Westerville North

  • 1987 – Carlos Snow, Cincinnati Academy

  • 1988 – Ronald Howe, Zanesville

  • 1989 – Roger Harper, Columbus Independence

  • 1990 – Robert Smith, Euclid

  • 1991 – Korey Stringer, Warren Harding

  • 1992 – Mike Vrabel, Walsh Jesuit

  • 1993 – Dee Miller, Springfield

  • 1994 – Charles Woodson, Fremont Ross

  • 1995 – Andy Katzenmoyer, Westerville South

  • 1996 – Derek Combs, Grove City

  • 1997 – Tony Fisher, Euclid

  • 1998 – Mike Doss, Canton McKinley

  • 1999 – Brandon Childress, Cleveland Chanel

  • 2000 – Jeff Backes, Upper Arlington

  • 2000 – Maurice Hall, Columbus Brookhaven

  • 2001 – Justin Zwick, Massillon Washington

  • 2001 – Maurice Clarett, Warren Harding

  • 2002 – Donte Whitner, Cleveland Glenville

  • 2003 – Ted Ginn Jr., Cleveland Glenville

  • 2004 – Jamario O'Neal, Cleveland Glenville

  • 2005 – Chris Wells, Akron Garfield

  • 2006 – Brandon Saine, Piqua

  • 2007 – Jake Stoneburner, Dublin Coffman

  • 2008 – Zach Boren, Pickerington Central

  • 2009 – Braxton Miller, Huber Heights Wayne

  • 2010 – Braxton Miller, Huber Heights Wayne

  • 2011 – Maty Mauk, Kenton

  • 2012 – Mitch Trubisky, Mentor

  • 2013 – Grant Sherman, Kenton

  • 2014 – Joe Burrow, Athens

  • 2015

  • 2016 – Daniel Bangura, Harvest Prep

  • 2017 – Isaiah Bowser, Sidney

  • 2018 – Mark Waid, Girard

Male Athlete of the Year

Female Athlete of the Year

President's Award

  • 2011 – Jordan White, Western Michigan University

  • 2011 – Ross Franklin, Johnstown High School

  • 2012 – Zac Dysert, Miami University

  • 2013 – Ryan Switzer, North Carolina

  • 2013 – Cartel Brooks, Heidelberg College

  • 2014 – Cardale Jones, Ohio State University

  • 2015 – Kody Kasey, Georgetown College

  • 2016 – Joshua Dobbs, Tennessee

  • 2018 – Jeff Monken, Army West Point

TDC Lifetime Achievement Award

The Touchdown Club also gave the annual TDC Lifetime Achievement Award to a selected athlete.

  • 1991 – Olga Korbut, Olympic Gymnastics

  • 1992 – Nadia Comăneci, Olympic Gymnastics

  • 1993 – Evander Holyfield, Boxing

  • 1994 – Jerry Lucas, Basketball Hall of Fame

  • 1995 – Sparky Anderson, Baseball Hall of Fame

  • 1996 – Bobby Hull, Hockey Hall of Fame

  • 1997 – Jim Brown, Football Hall of Fame

  • 1998 – George Steinbrenner, New York Yankees

  • 1999

  • 2000 – Lamar Hunt, American Football League

  • 2001

  • 2002

  • 2003 – Hopalong Cassady, College Football Hall of Fame

  • 2004 – Joe Nuxhall, Baseball

  • 2005

  • 2006 – John Havlicek, Basketball Hall of Fame

  • 2006 – Bevo Francis, Basketball

  • 2007

  • 2008 – Chuck Ealey, Football

  • 2009 – Archie Griffin, College Football Hall of Fame

  • 2010 – Coach Chris Ault, College Football Hall of Fame

  • 2011 – Coach Chuck Kyle, Football

  • 2012 – Coach Tom Osborne, College Football Hall of Fame

  • 2013

  • 2014

  • 2015 – Coach Don Donoher, Football

  • 2016 – Peter Hanson, Ohio State volleyball

  • 2017 – Larry Kehres, Mount Union football

  • 2018 – Katie Smith, Naismith and Women's Basketball Halls of Fame

FCS Player of the Year

See also

References