University of Pittsburgh Athletics
Nate Byham Named to Rotary Lombardi Award List
3/18/2009 12:00:00 AM | Football
March 18, 2009
PITTSBURGH--Pitt's All-Big East tight end Nate Byham has been named to the preliminary watch list for the 2009 Rotary Lombardi Award, annually presented by the Rotary Club of Houston.
Eligibility for the Rotary Lombardi Award is limited to down linemen, end-to-end, either on offense or defense, who set up no farther than 10 yards to the left or right of the ball. Linebackers who set up no farther than five yards deep from the line of scrimmage are also eligible.
The candidates earned a place on the preliminary watch list by earning All-American honors or by being named to their respective all-conference first team as selected by the conference's head coaches. The Rotary Lombardi Award Watch List will be updated prior to the start of the 2009 season in order to identify those players who have been selected as preseason honors candidates.
Forty-seven players were named to the Rotary Lombardi list. Byham was one of only two tight ends selected, reinforcing his status as one of the country's best at his position.
Byham (Franklin, Pa./Franklin) was a 2008 first-team All-Big East selection, an unprecedented achievement for a Pitt tight end. The Panthers' last All-Big East tight end was Kris Wilson, who was a second-team selection in 2003 and now plays for the San Diego Chargers.
The 6-foot-3, 255-pound Byham had 20 catches for 260 yards (13.0 avg.) and one touchdown last year. He was also a major asset in the run game, helping Pitt produce a 1,000-yard rusher for the second consecutive year.
In addition to the Rotary Lombardi Award, Byham enters his senior year as a viable candidate for All-America honors and the John Mackey Award, annually presented to the country's top tight end.
The Panthers open spring drills Thursday, March 19. Coach Dave Wannstedt has 15 spring practices scheduled, including the Annual Blue-Gold Game at Heinz Field on April 11.
Pitt will host a "Spring Football Festival" surrounding this year's Blue-Gold Game. The event will feature a pre-game youth clinic and Coaches Chalk Talk session. Heinz Field opens at noon and the game will start at 2 p.m. For more information, go to www.PittsburghPanthers.com.
The Panthers will play a 12-game regular-season schedule this year, including seven contests at Heinz Field. Pitt's home slate includes games with Notre Dame, Cincinnati, Connecticut, Navy, Syracuse, USF and Youngstown State.
Season-ticket packages are currently on sale for as low as $82 and can be purchased online (PittsburghPanthers.com), by phone (800/643-PITT) or in person at the Petersen Events Center ticket office. Current season-ticket holders who renew online by March 30 will receive a $10 discount.
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