2006 Hallmark Awards

2006 Hallmark Civic Award

Alex Snelius

In 2000, Alex and Ursula Snelius won the Illinois Lottery. After much consideration on how to share with others in need, Alex and Ursula, longtime White Sox fans, chose to include Chicago White Sox Charities among the charitable organizations they support. Alex and Ursula contributed $100 for exery White Sox home run hit in every season since 2000. Ursula passed away after the 2004 season, but Alex continues to contribute to the Chicago White Sox Charities in memory of his loving wife. Since he and Ursula first began contributing $100 for every White Sox home run, they have donated more than $125,000. "I would rather put my money toward Chicago White Sox Charities than take a trip around the world," says Alex.

2006 Hallmark Executive Award

Dan Hampton

Dan Hampton was a first-round draft pick of the Chicago Bears in 1979, following an All-America season at the University of Arkansas. An outstanding and versatile defensive lineman, Hampton played 12 seasons with the Bears. Six times he earned first- or second-team All-Pro honors as either defensive tackle of defensive end.

Nicknamed "Danimal" for his ferocious style of play, Hampton persevered through 10 knee surgeries and numerous other injuries as he became recognized as one of the game's most dedicated players.

Hampton was an impact player even as rookie. In his first season he was credited with 70 tackles, 48 of which were solo efforts, as well as 2 fumble recoveries, 3 passes defensed and 2 sacks.

In 1980, he led the team in sacks with 11.5, and his 73 tackles were the most by a Bears lineman. His play earned him the first of his four Pro Bowl invitations. In the nine-game, strike-shortened 1982 season, Hampton, playing right end, led the Bears with 9 sacks and was second with 71 tackles. One major publication selected him as the NFC Defensive Most Valuable Player, and he also was named to his first All-Pro team. Injuries slowed the promising lineman in 1983, but he still managed to record five sacks in just 11 games.

The following season, although he missed one game with a hyper-extended knee, his 11.5 sacks equaled his career best. It's for the 1985 season, however, that Dan and the Bears' defense is best remembered. That year, the stingy Chicago defense allowed just 198 points and shut out both opponents in the NFC playoffs. The Bears went on to destroy the New England Patriots 46-10 in Super Bowl XX, allowing just 123 total yards and sacking Patriots quarterbacks seven times.

For his part, the versatile Hampton spent the first half of the 1985 season playing right tackle before moving over to the left defensive end spot for the remainder of the season. His aggressive play caused opposing offenses to assign extra blockers, ultimately freeing up other Bears defenders to make plays. Even with the added attention, Dan still managed to record 6.5 sacks, force two fumbles, recover three fumbles and defense four passes.

Although 1985 may have been a high point in his career, Hampton continued to play at a high level until finally retiring in 1990, becoming just the second Bear to play in three different decades.