Class of 2005 Selected For SBC Cotton Bowl Hall of Fame

Includes UT tailback Hank Lauricella Eight individuals who helped shape the tradition of the SBC Cotton Bowl Classic and college football history will be inducted into the SBC Cotton Bowl Hall of Fame in April. SBC Communications, Inc., and the Cotton Bowl Athletic Association today announced the Hall of Fame Class of 2005. The honorees include UCLA quarterback Troy Aikman, Arkansas halfback Lance Alworth, former CBAA executive director Jim “Hoss” Brock, Texas offensive guard Mike Dean, Tennessee fullback Andy Kozar, Tennessee tailback Hank Lauricella, Penn State running back Lydell Mitchell, and former Texas A&M head coach Gene Stallings. The 2005 SBC Cotton Bowl Hall of Fame induction ceremony will be held on Wednesday, April 20, at Cotton Bowl Plaza in Fair Park. The ceremony begins at 11:00 a.m., and is free and open to the public. “The SBC Cotton Bowl Hall of Fame honors the many extraordinary individuals who have played a role in developing the tradition, pageantry and prestige of one of college football’s most historic post-season bowl games,” said Gayle M. Earls, Chairman, Cotton Bowl Athletic Association. “We believe that the SBC Cotton Bowl Hall of Fame provides future generations with a greater appreciation for the rich tradition of college football on New Year’s Day here in Texas.” A 35-member judging committee comprised of media representatives and athletic administrators voted from a list of 52 original nominees that included players, coaches, bowl administrators and others who have made special contributions to the Classic. Selection criteria for the SBC Cotton Bowl Hall of Fame include the following: Voting is based solely upon an individual’s performance in, or contribution to, the Classic rather than on the person’s college or professional career. An individual is eligible five years after their final Classic appearance. “The SBC Cotton Bowl Hall of Fame provides the perfect opportunity to properly and permanently recognize these heroes and unique personalities who helped establish the Classic as one of college football’s premier events,” said Bill Blasé, president and CEO of SBC Southwest. “Over the past few years, the SBC Cotton Bowl Hall of Fame has become home to a virtual who’s who of college football legends.” The Class of 2005 is the sixth to be inducted into the SBC Cotton Bowl Hall of Fame. The inaugural Class in 1998 included Syracuse halfback Jim Brown, Texas quarterback Bobby Layne, Rice halfback Dicky Maegle, Texas coach Darrell Royal, Cotton Bowl Founder J. Curtis Sanford, “Mr. Cotton Bowl” Field Scovell, and SMU halfback Doak Walker. The Class of 1999 featured TCU quarterback Sammy Baugh, Arkansas coach Frank Broyles, Kilgore Rangerettes founder Gussie Nell Davis, Houston linebacker David Hodge, Cotton Bowl Team Selection Chairman Felix McKnight, and Texas quarterback James Street. The Class of 2000 honored Alabama and Kentucky coach Paul “Bear” Bryant, Texas quarterback Duke Carlisle, Texas A&M linebacker Johnny Holland, Texas A&M fullback John Kimbrough, the longtime Voice of the Cotton Bowl Lindsey Nelson, Navy quarterback Roger Staubach, and TCU halfback Jim Swink. The Class of 2001 recognized Texas defensive tackle Scott Appleton, Syracuse halfback Ernie Davis, Miami defensive tackle Russell Maryland, Rice and Clemson head coach Jess Neely, Arkansas defensive tackle Loyd Phillips, Texas split end Cotton Speyrer, and Houston head coach Bill Yeoman. The Class of 2003 was comprised of former CBAA Chairman Robert B. Cullum, Mississippi quarterback Eagle Day, Georgia tailback Kent Lawrence, LSU head coach Charles McClendon, SMU halfback Kyle Rote, Notre Dame quarterback Joe Theismann, and Texas fullback Steve Worster. The SBC Cotton Bowl Hall of Fame is one of several events developed by SBC Communications and the Cotton Bowl Athletic Association to extend the Classic to the community and to future generations. Among these activities is the SBC Cotton Bowl Art Contest involving more than 5,000 elementary children throughout Dallas and Richardson during the fall, as well as the SBC Cotton Bowl Parade of Bands and team pep rallies in Fair Park on December 31. In September 1996, SBC Communications became title sponsor of the SBC Cotton Bowl Classic, an agreement that will run through the year 2006. The Cotton Bowl Athletic Association supports higher education through athletic competition. Three quarters of every dollar generated by the SBC Cotton Bowl Classic is returned to higher education. Since 1937, the Classic has contributed more than $130 million to participating institutions. Each year, football fans attending the SBC Cotton Bowl generate more than $25 million in direct spending for the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex.