Wyoming senior offensive lineman Chase Roullier has been named to the 2016 Rotary Lombardi Award Watch List as announced by the Rotary Lombardi Committee on Thursday.

The award is in its 47th year of existence, having begun in 1970 by the Rotary Club of Houston to honor NFL coach Vince Lombardi.  The award began as a way to honor interior line positions, which is the position Lombardi played at Fordham University.  Later, the award was expanded to include as candidates linebackers and tight ends.  This year, candidates are allowed from all position players who have displayed outstanding performance on the field and exhibit great leadership qualities.

As stated in the release from the Rotary Lombardi Committee, “The starting list of 158 candidates are players who demonstrate outstanding performance and skill in offensive and defensive positions and best exemplify the discipline, virtue and wisdom that defined Vincent Lombardi’s exceptional brand of leadership.  The players gained a position on the preliminary watch list by earning All-American honors, being named to their respective all-conference teams, or by receiving 2016 pre-season honors.”

 “We’re honored to be a part of the year in which the Rotary Lombardi Award reaches new heights by expanding the positions in which players are eligible for the award,” said co-chair Billy Bray. “We’re aiming to honor the award recipient in a big way as well as surpass previous funds raised at this event to continue the fight against cancer.”

As stipulated by Vince Lombardi’s widow, Marie, when the award began, net proceeds from the award activities are contributed to cancer research and children who cannot afford treatment to fight the disease that claimed the life of Vince Lombardi. The Rotary Lombardi Award continues to be hosted by the Rotary Club of Houston and benefits the American Cancer Society, MD Anderson Cancer Center and the Texas Children’s Hospital. 

Roullier has been a mainstay for the Wyoming Cowboy Football team the past three seasons.  He was named to the 2016 Preseason All-Mountain West team in voting by conference media members, and earned Second Team All-Mountain West Conference honors as a junior in 2015 in voting by conference head coaches and media.  Roullier has started 28 career games, including the last 27 consecutive. 

He played a key role in blocking for record-setting Cowboy running back Brian Hill in 2015.  Hill finished the 2015 season ranked No. 8 in the nation in average rushing yards per game (135.9), No. 9 in total rushing yards (1,631) and No. 13 in average all-purpose yards per game (146.9).  Hill set a new University of Wyoming single-season rushing record, with his 1,631 yards.