Vince Lombardi Award of Excellence Dinner Ball

The 2010 Vince Lombardi Award of Excellence Distinguished Honoree 

Vince Lombardi Charitable Funds and the Award of Excellence Planning Committee are proud to annouce the 2010 Award of Excellence Distinguished Honoree - Mr. Mike Ditka.

A native of Carnegie, Pennsylvania, Mike Ditka grew up as the son of a steel-mine worker. He was a three sports star in high school, and was a college football Consensus All-American at the University of Pittsburgh in 1960. Drafted in the first round by George Halas of the Chicago Bears, Mike was the fifth overall selection in the 1961 National Football League draft, and was honored that year as the NFL's Rookie of the Year.

Mike played tight end for the NFL's Chicago Bears (1961-‘66), Philadelphia Eagles (‘67-‘68), and Dallas Cowboys (‘69-‘72). He still holds four Chicago Bears receiving records: consecutive games with a reception (49), touchdown receptions in one game (4), receptions by a rookie (56), and most touchdown receptions by a rookie (12).

Mike has won three Super Bowls - as a player (Dallas, Super Bowl VI), as an assistant coach (Dallas, Super Bowl XII), and as a head coach (Chicago, Super Bowl XX). He was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1988.

His name is synonymous with the Chicago Bears. "Da Coach" or "Iron Mike" played for and coached the Bears for 17 seasons. In 1982, Coach Halas named Mike the 9th head coach in the history of the Chicago Bears. He coached the Bears from 1982 to 1992, compiling a win-loss record of 112 to 68 during that time. He guided the Bears to six NFC Central Division titles, in addition to three NFC title games. His 1985 Bears won the NFL crown in Super Bowl XX. The 1985 Bears are still considered amongst the NFL's "Best Ever Teams," going 18-1 that year. Twice, Ditka was named the NFL's Coach of the Year ('85 and '88). From 1985-1988, he led the Bears to 52 wins - the most ever by an NFL team in a four-year span in NFL history. He left the Bears organization in 1992.

Mike returned to coaching in the NFL as head coach for the New Orleans Saints from 1997-2000.

Today, Ditka also shares his drive and team-building skills with audiences across the country. In his presentation "ACE" - Attitude, Character and Enthusiasm, he shares the lessons learned in life of commitment and attention to the fundamentals - resulting in victory. He delivers a powerful presentation that highlights the key characteristics people need to achieve their personal and professional goals.

Currently, Mike is a commentator and analyst for ESPN, a restaurateur, an actor, a commercial spokesperson, and an avid golfer. He is involved with many charitable organizations, including Misericordia, a residential facility for mentally and physically challenged youths.

Mike resides in Naples and Chicago with his wife, Diana.