The College Football Hall of Fame and the National Football Foundation hold the 18thAnnual Enshrinement Festival this Friday and Saturday in South Bend. This year’s class consists of:
Players: CARLOS ALVAREZ (Florida); CHRIS BISAILLON (Illinois Wesleyan); DOUG ENGLISH (Texas) (1972-74); BILL ENYART (Oregon State); EDDIE GEORGE (Ohio State); MARTY LYONS (Alabama); RUSSELL MARYLAND (Miami, Fla.); RICHARD McGEORGE (Elon); REX MIRICH (Northern Arizona); DEION SANDERS (Florida State); JAKE SCOTT (Georgia); WILL SHIELDS (Nebraska); DARRYL TALLEY (West Virginia); CLENDON THOMAS (Oklahoma); ROB WALDROP (Arizona); GENE WASHINGTON (Michigan State). Coaches LLOYD CARR (Michigan); FISHER DeBERRY (Air Force); and RON HARMS (Concordia [Neb.], Adams State [Colo.], Texas A&M – Kingsville).
The deceased members of the class, JIM HOLDER (Oklahoma Panhandle State); SANDY STEPHENS (Minnesota); and coaches GENE CARPENTER (Adams State [Colo.], Millersville [Pa.]); and WILLIAM “LONE STAR” DIETZ (Washington State, Purdue, Louisiana Tech, Wyoming, Haskell Indian Institute [Kan.], Albright [Pa.]), will be represented at the events by family members.
This special weekend kicks off with the 2012 Ribs Cook-Off and Downtown Block Party. The Enshrinement Festival Ribs Cook-Off is sanctioned by the Kansas City Barbecue Society and places the best chefs, both amateur and professional, and local and national, head to head to see who has the tastiest recipe.
Other highlights include the 2012 Enshrinement Cornhole Tournament, a variety of inter-actives and games, and the Downtown South Bend Red Table Concert Series featuring two talented musical groups – The Bergamot and Don Savoie, in the afternoon. Later, there will be performances by King Pao and STILLSHOT.
The highlight of the day is the Hall of Famer Pep Rally and Blazer presentation starting at 7:15. The Pep Rally will be led by Cheerleaders from Notre Dame, Bethel College, Indiana University Northwest, Oxford High School, Penn High School Dance Team, the Rensselaer High School Marching Band, and the Indianapolis Colts Cheerleaders.
Saturday July 21 begins with the opening of a new exhibit honoring the newest Enshrinement Class and includes artifacts and collectables from All-America players, Heisman winners, and National Champions.
The grand finale of the Enshrinement weekend is the Enshrinement Dinner and Show. This Hollywood-style show features Enshrinee interviews, presentations and more.
Paul M. Banks is CEO of The Sports Bank.net, an official Google News site generating millions of unique visitors. He’s also a regular contributor to Chicago Now, Chicago Tribune.com, Fox Sports, MSN, Walter Football and Yardbarker
A Fulbright scholar and MBA, Banks has appeared on live radio all over the world; and he’s a member of the Football Writers Association of America, U.S. Basketball Writers Association, and Society of Professional Journalists. The President of the United States follows him on Twitter (@Paul_M_BanksTSB) You should too