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Football Pioneers Pro Bowl MVP James “Shack” Harris and Super Bowl MVP Doug Williams to Establish Black College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta
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Ambassador Andrew Young to Serve as Honorary Chairman for Inaugural Enshrinement Ceremony in February
October 9, 2009 (Atlanta, GA) -- Black College football and National Football League quarterback pioneers Pro Bowl MVP James "Shack" Harris and Super Bowl MVP Doug Williams today announced the establishment of the Black College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta, GA. The Hall of Fame will honor the greatest football players and coaches at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).
The Inaugural Enshrinement Ceremony will be held in Atlanta on February 20, 2010, in conjunction with Black History Month. Former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations and Statesman Andrew Young will serve as an Honorary Chairman for the Enshrinement Ceremony. The Four Seasons Hotel has joined as the first Platinum Sponsor for the event, which will be held at their property in midtown Atlanta (75 Fourteenth St. NE). A total of eight individuals will be inducted in the inaugural class -- seven players and/or coaches, plus one contributor. Sponsorship and ticket information is available online at www.BlackCollegeFootballHOF.org.
“Players and coaches from Historically Black Colleges and Universities have played a significant role in the history of college football.” said Doug Williams. “Shack and I remain committed to preserving this legacy. The City of Atlanta, with its central proximity to more than half of the nation’s HBCUs, is the perfect home for the Hall of Fame.”
New York Times columnist and author William C. Rhoden will serve as Chairman of the Hall of Fame Selection Committee, which additionally is comprised of the following prominent journalists and football executives:
Ernie Accorsi -- Former General Manager of the New York Giants, and Senior Bowl Analyst, NFL Network
Charles Bailey -- Former NFL Player Personal Executive with the Pittsburgh Steelers, New Orleans Saints and Jacksonville Jaguars
Gil Brandt -- Former General Manager, Dallas Cowboys, and contributor for NFL Radio and NFL.com
Charles Garcia -- NFL Scouting Pioneer, namesake of Fritz Pollard Alliance’s Annual Charles Garcia Scouting Award
Michael Hurd -- Former USA Today sportswriter, and author of the books Black College Football, 1892-1992 and Collie J., Grambling's Man with the Golden Pen
Ty Miller -- Director of Sports, Sheridan Broadcast Network
Roscoe Nance -- Former USA Today sports writer and President, SWAC Alumni Assoc.
Charlie Neal -- ESPN commentator for HBCU telecasts and former BET & TNT commentator
Michael Smith -- ESPN NFL reporter, and frequent contributor ESPN Around the Horn, former writer for The Boston Globe
Lloyd Vance -- NFL Writer, Analyst, Draft Expert, Researcher and Historian, and member of the Pro Football Writers of America
“This project would not be possible without the involvement of such a prestigious and knowledgeable Selection Committee,” said James “Shack” Harris. “This committee will determine the Hall of Fame selection criteria, review nominations and choose inductees. We are honored to have these individuals on board.”
An Advisory Committee also has been formed, led by Co-Chairmen Chuck Lewis, President, CEO & Founder of One Georgia Bank, and Chris Prince, King & Spalding. Others on the committee include: Evan Appel, Chorey Taylor & Feil; Phillip Bell, State Farm Insurance; Andy Berg, Homrich Berg Wealth Management; Tom Bishop, Georgia Power; Brian Doud, Sponsorship Marketing Solutions; Harold Franklin, King & Spalding; Llew Haden, Wales Business Management; Thomas Moorehead, BMW of Sterling; Sarah Lattimer, Lattimer Communications; Jerry Lopes, American Urban Radio Networks; Billy Lovett, One Georgia Bank; Paul Mannion, Street Capital; Rod Mullice, Newmark Knight Frank; James Patterson, Webb Patterson Communications; Chris Pumphrey, Georgia Department of Economic Development; and Frank Ski, V-103 Radio.
A call for nominations will be announced in the coming weeks. Nominations may be made by any member of the media, college or professional coaches and players, or the general public. A nomination form will be available at www.BlackCollegeFootballHOF.org.
The Black College Football Hall of Fame is sponsored by The Shack Harris & Doug Williams Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit, tax-exempt organization.
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