Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic

As one of the Cotton Bowl's famed "Rover Boys," Wilbur Evans commanded a presence over college football in the 1970s that opened doors everywhere he went. The most notable door Evans pried open was in South Bend when he and travel partner Field Scovell persuaded Notre Dame to break a self-imposed 45-year ban on post-season play. The Irish accepted the invitation and the dream matchup of Notre Dame vs. Texas in the 1970 Cotton Bowl became a football classic. It was quite a beginning for Evans who had been appointed as the bowl's first full-time executive director just months before. During his watch, the Cotton Bowl Classic staged three national championship games – 1970, 1971 and 1978. Evans’ eye for detail set the standard for all to follow in the bowl industry.