The people who built it.
The Joe Moore Award honors the most outstanding offensive line in the country, but it was built by people who lived the same values off the field. These are the friends and craftsmen whose teamwork, grit, and unselfishness turned an idea into the sport’s most coveted unit honor.
Jerry McKenna
The Joe Moore Award trophy, the largest in college football at seven feet tall, six feet wide, and 800 pounds, was brought to life by legendary sculptor Jerry McKenna, whose work includes Notre Dame’s iconic Four Horsemen and Lou Holtz statues.
When Aaron Taylor went looking for someone to build it, a few alumni connections led him to Jerry, a proud Notre Dame man. He first declined; he was too busy. But the next morning Aaron woke to an email: Jerry hadn’t slept. He took it on, powered through eye surgery mid-project, and delivered the largest, fastest-turned trophy in the foundry’s 80 years, the spirit of the award in a single story: unlikely connections, and good people catching the vision.
Bill & Betsy Vorsheck
Bill Vorsheck and his wife Betsy have long stood as pillars of the Joe Moore Award, offering not just their resources but their time, energy, and unwavering belief in its mission. Their generosity helped elevate the award to national prominence.
Bill wasn’t just a supporter of Joe Moore’s legacy, he was one of Joe’s closest friends, a bond forged in mutual respect and shared principles. Together with Betsy, he championed Joe’s legacy in a way that has touched countless players, coaches, and families.
