The trophy was previously given to winners of the Mixed Teams but re-designated for the IMP Pairs by the ACBL Board of Directors.
Lebhar (1907–1972), under the name of Bert Lee, earned a national reputation as a sportscaster and later as a bridge player and administrator.
In private life, he owned radio and television stations in Florida.
Lebhar was one of the founders of the Greater New York Bridge Association and was elected its first president in 1948.
List of previous winners, Page 12 Daily Bulletin (PDF), vol.