Awards
A list of the annual awards presented by the Gridiron Club.
Walter Brown Award
Best American-born Div I College Hockey Player in New England
Man of the Year
Selected by the Executive Committee of the Gridiron Club. Presented each fall at NFL Legends Night dinner.
Bulger Lowe Award
Named in honor of George H. "Bulger" Lowe. Awarded to the best Division I-A/I-AA players in New England. In 1982, offensive and defensive categories were established.
Nils V. "Swede" Nelson Award
For outstanding achievement in academics, athletics, sportsmanship and citizenship
Joseph P. Zabilski Award
Named in honor of Joe Zabilski, Boston College '43, coach nof Northeastern University, and former Gridiron Club president. Awarded to New England's best collegiate players in Divisions II and III.
John Baronian Award
Lifetime Contribution to Football. In 2002, re-named in honor of John Baronian (Tufts ’50), former president of the Gridiron Club and 1982 winner of the National Football Foundation and Hall of Fame’s Contribution to Amateur Football Award.
Joseph P. McKenney Award
Named in honor of Joe McKenney, former head coach of Boston College and distinguished college referee. Joe was a member of the officiating crew in the "Fifth Down Game" between Cornell and Dartmouth. Awarded to the best collegiate official in New England.
Head Coach of the Year
Awarded to New England's best head coach of the year. Divisional categories were established in 2001.
Assistant Coach of the Year
Awarded to an assistant college football coach who has consistently brought out the best in his players and has been an example of excellence and dedication in the coaching profession.
Joe Concannon Award
New England's Best American-born Division II-III hockey palyer.
Henry Smith Courage Award
To the high school player who has been an inspiration to all through by displaying exceptional courage while dealing with and overcoming especially challenging events or circumstances. Named in honor of Henry Smith, former Gridiron Club president.
Dr. Joseph H. Burnett Award
To the outstanding high school player in the City of Boston. Named for Dr. Joseph Burnett, for many years the attending physician for schoolboy games at White Stadium, Dorchester.
William H. Stewart Jr. Award
To the high school football official of the year. Named in honor of Bill Stewart Jr., long time coach of three sports at Boston English High and a legendary official of professional, college, and high school sports.
William H. Ohrenberger Award
To the high school coach of the year. Named for Dr. Bill Ohrenberger, one of nine founding members of the Gridiron Club, its president in 1945-46, coach of Boston English 1932-45, and that school's Coach of the 20th Century.