MARK HERZLICH RECEIVES HONORARY LOTT TROPHY

On Sunday Boston College linebacker Mark Herzlich received an honorary Lott Trophy, becoming the second player in history to earn the honorary award and the first to earn it since Pat Tillman in 2004. The Lott Trophy committee also donated $5,000 to Uplifting Athletes to help fund cancer research.

I watched the broadcast of the award ceremony tonight on FSN, and Mark looked great. Congratulations Mark. Well deserved. Here's to you winning the Lott Trophy outright next year.

MARK HERZLICH WITH THE DISNEY SPIRIT AWARD

Here is Mark last night at the Home Depot College Football Awards Show. There was a great feature highlighting his amazing story, followed by an inspirational interview with Mark on stage. Mark wrapped up the interview assuring Tim Tebow, the 2008 Disney Spirit Award winner, that he will be the player with the most determination on the field next season.

No doubt.

MUSIC FOR MARK AT BOSTON COLLEGE

2009 IN A NUT SHELL

MARK TO RECEIVE DISNEY SPIRIT AWARD - TOMORROW ON ESPN

Mark will be receiving the Disney Spirit Award during tomorrow's Home Depot Awards show on ESPN. 7pm-9pm EST.

I'll be watching. Will you?

LIVE CHAT WITH MARK HERZLICH TODAY AT 3PM EST - UPDATE

Mark chatted live at 3PM today on ESPN.com

Click here to read what he had to say.

Hey Mark, Good interview.

BC TO PLAY USC IN EMERALD BOWL

Boston College will be playing in the Emerald Bowl against USC. The game starts at 8PM EST on December 26th. Let's hope that Santa will save one gift for the Eagles this Christmas.

Go Eagles!

ACC = A Conference with Class

Open Letter From The Herzlich Family-

My son is Mark Herzlich, the Boston College linebacker who has spent the past 7 months battling cancer. I just wanted to send you a note saying how impressed my entire family has been by the comraderie and sportsmanship of the schools in the ACC. From opposing teams, to their fans and even to the officials organization - everyone has been supportive of Mark in his efforts. The number of groups that sacrificed personally to raise funds in Mark's honor to support cancer research has been awesome and humbling.

We are blessed and grateful that it appears that Mark has beaten this awful disease and his level of recuperation over the next 6 months will determine whether he can return to the playing field. His intent is to do so. However, before we start down that next path I wanted to relflect upon and appreciate how much the ACC has made this intial part of the journey bearable.

I truly think that this is something unique to the ACC. It is a conference with class. In reading about the backbiting and vitrolence in amoungst teams of other major conference, it's a pleasure to be associated with one whose members can both compete hammer and tong on the playing field but still appreciate, support and celebrate their opponents. Without quality opponents, there is no game. Too often that's forgotten in the world of sport, but not in the ACC.

Best wishes for a festive and fruitful holiday and bowl season.

Sandon M. Herzlich, Sr.

MARK HERZLICH AWARDED THE 2009 ACC COMMISSIONER'S CUP

In recognition of his tremendous courage, perseverance and inspiration, ACC Commissioner John Swofford will honor Mark Herzlich with the Commissioner's Cup. The cup is given at the Commissioner's discretion and this marks the first to be awarded to a student-athlete.

MARK HERZLICH IS A NOMINEE FOR THE FEDEX ORANGE BOWL'S COURAGE AWARD

Mark has been nominated, along with 7 other individuals and the UConn Football Team, for this year's FedEx Orange Bowl Courage Award. Each week the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA) voted on and selected one individual, or team in UConn's case, that displayed an act of courage that stood out from the rest. The requirements for the nomination include "displaying courage on or off the field, including overcoming an injury and living through hardship." Kind of a no brainer looking back at Mark's battle with Ewing's Sarcoma this season.

A blue-ribbon panel will determine the winner from all of the nominees. The winner of the FedEx Orange Bowl-FWAA Courage Award will be announced in December and be presented with the trophy. The Courage Award was created by ESPN The Magazine's senior writer Gene Wojciechowski, also a FWAA member. A select group of writers from the FWAA vote on the winner each year.

This year’s nominees include:

Sept. 23: D.J. Williams, Arkansas

Sept. 30: Mark Herzlich, Boston College

Oct. 8: Darius Nall, Central Florida

Oct. 14: Ricky Rosas, USC

Oct. 21: Derrick Coleman, UCLA
Oct. 28: University of Connecticut Football Team
Nov. 4: Antoine "Shaky" Smithson, Utah

Nov. 11: Dan Potokar, Ohio State

Nov. 18: Thomas "Rock" Roggeman, East Carolina

We want to congratulate all of the nominees this year, but especially Mark. We believe it takes a hell of a lot more than courage to do what Mark has done. Not only did he battle and beat the cancer within his own body, but he inspired a nation to raise money to help others beat cancer. To date the donations are reaching $200,000. That is a pretty huge helping of courage if you ask us.

WHERE HERZLICH HAPPENS

Where Herzlich Happens from herznation on Vimeo.