ARLINGTON, Texas – Induction Day for the seven newest members of the Cotton Bowl Hall of Fame will be Wednesday, May 6, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington with the enshrinement ceremony set for 12:00 p.m. (Noon), on the West End Zone Plaza.
The 12th Hall of Fame Class honors Kansas State quarterback
Jonathan Beasley, Notre Dame split end
Tom Gatewood, Arkansas guard and Owner/President/General Manager of the Dallas Cowboys
Jerry Jones, Ole Miss running back/wide receiver
Dexter McCluster, Texas defensive end
Cory Redding, Boston College linebacker
Bill Romanowski, and Kansas State head coach
Bill Snyder.
These six remarkable players and distinguished head coach join an elite group of honorees comprised of 78 men and women who have shaped the grand traditions of college football and the celebrated history of the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic. Each Hall of Fame member will make brief remarks during the hour-long lunchtime event. The ceremony is free and open to the public.
"Now that an enshrinement date has been selected, it's full steam ahead toward Induction Day," said Bry Patton, the Chairman of the Cotton Bowl Athletic Association. "Remembering and honoring those who serve as the cornerstone of this great football classic is something we look forward to with great anticipation. Football fans won't want to miss out on the opportunity to visit with these seven Cotton Bowl legends. It's going to be a big day in Arlington."
Those in attendance will be treated to complimentary trading cards and event programs. Immediately following the ceremony, honorees will be available to sign autographs for fans at no charge. However, items presented for signing will be limited to the trading cards and programs distributed by the Kilgore College Rangerettes prior to the ceremony. Burgers and hotdogs will be served to everyone following the enshrinement courtesy of the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic.
The Hall of Fame dates back to the spring of 1998 when the inaugural class was enshrined at Cotton Bowl Stadium in Dallas. Today, Induction Day takes place every other spring in Arlington's AT&T Stadium. Each Hall of Fame member receives a personalized bronze statue that features the likeness of a 1930s football player, the era in which the Cotton Bowl Classic was founded.
A judging committee comprised of media representatives and athletic administrators voted from a ballot consisting of 60 nominees that included former players, coaches, bowl administrators and others who have made special contributions to the Classic.
Selection criteria for the Hall of Fame include the following:
- Voting is based solely upon an individual's performance in – or contribution to – the Cotton Bowl Classic rather than on the person's overall college or professional career.
- An individual is eligible five years after their final Classic appearance.
Since its first game in 1937, the Classic has hosted:
