Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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BLUEGOLDONLINE.COM SEPT. 12, 2026 51 helped the team develop the Titletown District — a "downtown" of hotels, restaurants, and special events spaces across from Lambeau Field — as well as take on more responsibility in the business operations of the team. DETERMINATION AWARD Jim Flanigan '94 Son of Packers linebacker Jim Flanigan Sr., he starred at Southern Door High School to earn a Notre Dame scholarship. After two years as a re- serve, his grit gained a starting spot on the de- fensive line, and he helped the Irish go 21-2-1 in 1992-93. Flanigan played for the Chicago Bears seven seasons in a 10-year career. He now coaches at Notre Dame Academy in Green Bay, with one son, James, a Fighting Irish tight end and another, Richie, on his way to Notre Dame next year. INNOVATION AWARD Louie Gentine '97 The third-generation president and CEO of Sar- gento Foods Co. of Plymouth, Wis., one of the nation's leading cheese retailers, Gentine carries on the family tradition of innovative business strat- egies, engaged and dedicated employees, and ex- tensive community involvement. Earlier this year, Sargento was named to Fast Company's prestigious list of the World's Most Innovative Companies for 2026. CHAMPION AWARD John Wroblewski '04 Josh Sciba '07 Wroblewski and Sciba served as head coach and assistant coach, respectively, of the 2026 Olympic gold medal-winning USA women's hockey team. The former Fighting Irish skaters have each risen through the ranks of the coaching community, including at the professional level. Wroblewski has been a head coach in the American Hockey League, and Sciba, after two years with the New York Sirens of the Professional Women's Hockey League, was recently named head coach of the PWHL's new Detroit franchise. The 2026 Rockne Awards were part of the four-day Rockne-Lambeau Football Festival. The festival began Sept. 3, with the Notre Dame-Green Bay Football History Night, focusing on the football careers of Lambeau, Crowley and Vain- isi. It was the book launch for the new biography "The Architect: Jack Vainisi and the Building of Lombardi's Pack- ers," by Brian J. Elliott. The Rockne Awards venue, the Riv- erside Ballroom, is an historic struc- ture that dates to the 1930s and sits just across the East River from Green Bay East High School, site of the original City Stadium, home to the Green Bay Packers from 1925-56. ✦ Jim Lefebvre is an award-winning Notre Dame author and leads the Knute Rockne Memorial Society. He can be reached at: jim@ndfootballhistory.com Legacy Award The Family of Tom "Red" Hearden '27 Legacy Award The Family of Jack Vainisi '50 Inspira on Award Greg Blache '72 Leadership Award Tom Clements '75 Humanitarian Award Dr. Robin Goldsmith '87 Teamwork Award Ed Policy '93 Determina on Award Jim Flanigan '94 Innova on Award Louie Gen ne '97 Champion Award John Wroblewski '04 and Josh Sciba '07 e Knute Rockne Memorial Society Congratulates e 2026 Rockne Spirit of Sports Award Winners Jim Flanigan, winner of the Determination Award, helped the Irish go 21-2-1 as a defensive tackle in 1992-93 and he then played for the Chicago Bears for seven seasons during a 10-year NFL career. PHOTO COURTESY CHICAGO BEARS