 | 2005 Cal Ripken, Jr. Cal Ripken is baseball's all-time "Iron Man". After 21 seasons with the Baltimore Orioles, Ripken retired from baseball in October of 2001. He left the league as one of only seven players in history to achieve 400 home runs and 3,000 hits. In 1995, Cal broke Lou Gehrig's record for consecutive games played and voluntarily ended his streak in 1998 after playing 2,632 consecutive games. In honor of this feat, The Cal Ripken, Jr./Lou Gehrig ALS Research Fund was established to help discover a cure for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, or "Lou Gehrig's Disease". |
 | 2004 Mark Johnson Olympic Gold Medalist Mark Johnson was honored with the 2004 Lombardi 'Award of Excellence' for his contribution to family, sport and profession. Mark is proud of his MVP performance with the US Olympic Hockey team at the 1980 Lake Placid winter games, his eleven years in the NHL and his two-time All-American performances as a Badger hockey player. Mark is currently the head coach of the University of Wisconsin's women's hockey team, a position he has held since 2002. |
 | 2003 Peggy Fleming The Olympic Gold Medalist and World Champion figure skater, Peggy Fleming not only brought grace, beauty and enthusiasm to the 2003 'Award of Excellence' Dinner Ball, she also brought her own "Olympics of Life" story concerning her battle with breast cancer. Peggy touched everyone in the overflow room with her warmth and resolve to help win our fight with cancer. |
 | 2002 Hank Aaron Hammerin’ Hank, the major league baseball home run king, joined an overflow group to accept the 'Award of Excellence' in 2002. This Hall of Fame sports figure has more major league batting records than any other player in history. He has received the Presidential Citizens Medal and numerous other civic awards for his contributions to youth programs. Hank's commitment to sports and community exemplify the Lombardi spirit of excellence in many ways. |
 | 2001 Jack Nicklaus One of the greatest and most revered golfers in the history of the game joined a packed house of Lombardi supporters as a most deserving honoree. Nicklaus has won more major PGA events in the history of golf and has been named Golfer of the Century. After having played golf with Coach Lombardi in 1964 at another charity event, Jack "closed a circle" by accepting the Lombardi 'Award of Excellence' in 2001. |
 | 2000 John Wooden John Wooden the player. John Wooden the coach.
John Wooden is the only man to be in the Basketball Hall of Fame as a player and coach. This leader of inspirational proportions exemplified by his Triangle of Success was honored with the Lombardi 'Award of Excellence' in 2000. |
 | 1999 Don Shula Coach Don Shula led the Miami Dolphins to more victories than another other coach in the NFL. This exemplary accomplishment has yet to be matched with his unbeaten and untied team. Coach Shula is also unbeaten in his continuing contribution to various charitable activities and the people he touches. Coach Shula was honored with the Lombardi 'Award of Excellence' in 1999. |
 | 1998 Eddie Robinson Coach Robinson amassed the most victories by a college football coach in the history of the game. More importantly however, Coach Robinson was a molder of men and a positive influence on every community he touched. Coach Robinson accepted the Lombardi 'Award of Excellence' in 1998. |
 | 1997 Bart Starr Many know Bart as the Hall of Fame Quarterback of the Green Bay Packers and the winner of two Super Bowls. We know Bart as the tireless spokesperson for the Vince Lombardi Charitable Funds and we are ever grateful for his endless support. Bart was a most deserving honoree of the Lombardi 'Award of Excellence' in 1997. |
 | 1996 General H. Norman Schwarzkopf The commanding General of the Gulf War took on another fight with prostate cancer and, in the same way, won his own personal battle. He is the worthy spokesperson for the fight against prostate cancer and the recipient of the 1996 Lombardi 'Award of Excellence'. |
 | 1995 Dan Jansen For many, the 1994 Olympic Winter Games and the heroics of one of the greatest speed skaters of our time will remain an unforgettable memory. Not to be denied, Milwaukee’s own Dan Jansen captured the Gold and the Lombardi 'Award of Excellence' in 1995.
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 | 1994 Jane and Lloyd Pettit Few people, if any, have left a lasting imprint on the city of Milwaukee and the surrounding area more than the Pettits. Their behind-the-scenes work to improve our community has influenced the lives of all Milwaukeeans. We were pleased to honor Jane and Lloyd Pettit with the 4th annual Lombardi 'Award of Excellence' in 1994. |
 | 1993 President George Bush Our 41st President of the United States was honored with the Lombardi 'Award of Excellence' for his service to country and his philanthropic efforts with 1000 Points of Light. |
 | 1992 Bob Hope A great ambassador of humor, a tireless entertainer and a great American took center stage in 1992 and received the Lombardi 'Award of Excellence'. |
 | 1991 Pete Rozelle The influential commissioner of the National Football League who presented Vince Lombardi with the first "Super Bowl" trophy was also the first honoree of the Lombardi 'Award of Excellence' in 1991. |
