No one knows for sure when the College Football Hall of Fame will leave South Bend, but for now it's still going strong.
The 2011 Enshrinement Festival concluded Saturday night with 20 all-time greats joining the ranks of the best to ever play college football.
With Super Bowl winning coach Jon Gruden serving as the host and emcee along with Charles Davis and NewsCenter 16's Jeff Jeffers, the event wrapped up with the Dinner and Show at the Century Center.
The busy Saturday started with the Grand Parade and continued on the gridiron with the Pep Rally where all the enshrinees received their Hall of Fame Blazers for the first time.
No one had a bigger ovation on Saturday at the pep rally than 1991 Heisman winner Desmond Howard. With the maize and blue flooding the scene, Howard's eyes were fixed on his twin sons--as he saw them cheering on dad.
"Maybe not now but years from now, our kids will definitely appreciate this," said the former Michigan standout wide receiver. "It's nice to have them here and be a part of it."
Howard's famously showed off the Heisman pose after a touchdown against Ohio State in 1991. When asked for a repeat performance on Saturday by Davis and Gruden in front of the big crowd, Howard politely refused.
"That was done at a special time and a special place," Howard explained. "We'll leave that for where it happened and where it was."
That did not stop his sons from flashing the Heisman.
"Of all my trophies at home that's their favorite," Howard said with a big smile and laugh. "They like to imitate that trophy. You ask them, 'What's your favorite statue.' They'll do that pose."
Charles Haley was all about the poses throughout the day. And he knows all about trophies and rings as the only five-time Super Bowl winner. He was proud to represent James Madison, which he called a powerhouse that he felt could beat the likes of Michigan and Notre Dame.
Former Wisconsin coach Barry Alvarez also had a large following. Before he coached the Badgers, Alvarez served as an assistant coach under Lou Holtz at Notre Dame.
Alvarez joined us live on NewsCenter 16 at 6. You can watch his interview in the video above.
Former Purdue quarterback Mark Herrmann was also one among the headliners. Hermann is an all Indiana guy as he played at Carmel High School, Purdue and then the Colts in the NFL.
"Being able to play in front of the home fans, it's been a great opportunity for me," said Hermann. "To see them out here today supporting me and congratulating me, it's been very well worth it."
Gruden, a South Bend Clay product and now ESPN broadcaster, was pumped up to be the host. The man, who at 38 was then the youngest coach to win a Super Bowl, had plenty of reasons. He was back in town for the first time in a long time and his college coach---Mike Kelly was among the enshrinees.
Gruden and Kelly shared some great moments throughout the day. Gruden also joined us live on NewsCenter 16 at 6. You can watch his interview at the link above as well.
Complete listing of HOF enshrinees:
- Players
- Dennis Byrd (deceased) – North Carolina State, Defensive Tackle (1965-67)
- Ronnie Caveness – Arkansas, Linebacker (1962-64)
- Ray Childress – Texas A&M, Defensive Lineman (1981-84)
- Dexter Coakley – Appalachian State University, Linebacker (1993-96)
- Randy Cross – UCLA, Offensive Guard (1973-75)
- Sam Cunningham – Southern California, Running Back (1970-72)
- Michael Favor – North Dakota State University, Center (1985-88)
- Charles Haley – James Madison University, Defensive End (1982-85)
- Mark Herrmann – Purdue, Quarterback (1977-80)
- Clarkston Hines – Duke, Wide Receiver (1986-89)
- Desmond Howard – Michigan, Wide Receiver (1989-91)
- Mickey Kobrosky (deceased) – Trinity College (Conn.), Back (1933-36)
- Chet Moeller – Navy, Defensive Back (1973-75)
- Jerry Stovall – LSU, Halfback (1960-62)
- Pat Tillman (deceased) – Arizona State, Linebacker (1994-97)
- Alfred Williams – Colorado, Linebacker (1987-90)
- Coaches
- Barry Alvarez – Wisconsin (1990-2005), 118-73-4 (.615)
- Mike Kelly - University of Dayton, Head Coach, 246-54-1
- Bill Manlove - Widener University (Pa.), Delaware Valley College (Pa.), La Salle University, Head Coach, 212-110-1
- Gene stallings – Texas A&M (1965-71), Alabama (1990-96), 89-70-1 (.559)
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