Honorees

It’s become a staple of the Notre Dame football season, as we honor another outstanding lineup of individuals who embody the best traits of Coach Rockne – this time, each with a key connection to northeastern Wisconsin.

• Leadership Award: Tom Clements ’75, national championship winning QB at ND; CFL star; Packers quarterback coach, offensive coordinator and assistant head coach. (Acceptance via video.)
• Inspiration Award:  Greg Blache ’72, who coached under Ara Parseghian at Notre Dame, then in the NFL for 22 seasons, including 1988-93 with the Green Bay Packers.
• Legacy Award: The Family of Tom “Red” Hearden ’27, captain of the 1926 Fighting Irish and football coach with East High, St. Norbert College, and the Green Bay Packers.
• Legacy Award: The Family of Jack Vainisi ’50, who scouted and helped draft many Hall of Fame Packers who won five NFL titles and two Super Bowls for Vince Lombardi.
• Champion Award: John Wroblewski ’03 and Josh Sciba ’07, head coach and asst. coach of the 2026 Olympic Gold Medal winning USA women’s hockey team. (Coach Sciba accepting.)
• Innovation Award: Louie Gentine ’97, third-generation president and CEO of Sargento Foods Co. of Plymouth, Wis., one of the nation’s leading cheese retailers.
• Humanitarian Award: Dr. Robin Goldsmith ’87, president, chief medical officer and co-founder of St. Gianna Clinic in DePere, Wis. National leader in Catholic medicine.
• Teamwork Award: Ed Policy ’93, president of the Green Bay Packers, leading the franchise with vision; a member of the Packers executive team since 2012.
• Determination Award: Jim Flanigan ’94, Southern Door football star, Notre Dame defensive lineman and 10-year NFL player; now coaches at Notre Dame Academy.