DALLAS – Five individuals who helped shape the tradition of the AT&T Cotton Bowl Classic and college football history will be inducted into the AT&T Cotton Bowl Hall of Fame during enshrinement ceremonies on Wednesday, April 14.

AT&T and the Cotton Bowl Athletic Association have announced the Hall of Fame “Class of 2010.” The honorees in the eighth Hall of Fame Class include the CBAA’s first Executive Director Wilbur Evans, Notre Dame receiver Kris Haines, Texas wingback Phil Harris, Notre Dame quarterback Joe Montana, and Texas A&M/Mississippi State head coach Jackie Sherrill.

The 2010 AT&T Cotton Bowl Hall of Fame induction ceremony will be held at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington on April 14. The ceremony begins at 11 a.m., and is free and open to the public.

“The AT&T Cotton Bowl Hall of Fame honors the many extraordinary individuals who have played a role in developing the tradition, pageantry and prestige of one of college football’s most historic post-season bowl games,” said Kathy Saunders, Chairman, Cotton Bowl Athletic Association. “We believe that the AT&T Cotton Bowl Hall of Fame provides future generations with a greater appreciation for the rich tradition of college football on New Year’s Day here in Texas.”

A judging committee comprised of media representatives and athletic administrators voted from a list of 52 nominees that included players, coaches, bowl administrators and others who have made special contributions to the Classic.

Selection criteria for the AT&T Cotton Bowl Hall of Fame include the following:
Voting is based solely upon an individual’s performance in, or contribution to, the Classic rather than on the person’s overall college or professional career.

An individual is eligible five years after their final Classic appearance.

The Class of 2010 is the eighth to be inducted into the AT&T Cotton Bowl Hall of Fame and the first in three years. The inaugural Class in 1998 included Syracuse halfback Jim Brown, Texas quarterback Bobby Layne, Rice halfback Dicky Maegle, Texas coach Darrell Royal, Cotton Bowl founder J. Curtis Sanford, “Mr. Cotton Bowl” Field Scovell, and SMU halfback Doak Walker.

The Class of 1999 featured TCU quarterback Sammy Baugh, Arkansas coach Frank Broyles, Kilgore Rangerettes founder Gussie Nell Davis, Houston linebacker David Hodge, Cotton Bowl Team Selection Chairman Felix McKnight, and Texas quarterback James Street.

The Class of 2000 honored Alabama and Kentucky coach Paul “Bear” Bryant, Texas quarterback Duke Carlisle, Texas A&M linebacker Johnny Holland, Texas A&M fullback John Kimbrough, the longtime Voice of the Cotton Bowl Lindsey Nelson, Navy quarterback Roger Staubach, and TCU halfback Jim Swink.

The Class of 2001 recognized Texas defensive tackle Scott Appleton, Syracuse halfback Ernie Davis, Miami defensive tackle Russell Maryland, Rice and Clemson head coach Jess Neely, Arkansas defensive tackle Loyd Phillips, Texas split end Cotton Speyrer, and Houston head coach Bill Yeoman.

The Class of 2003 was comprised of former CBAA Chairman Robert B. Cullum, Mississippi quarterback Eagle Day, Georgia tailback Kent Lawrence, LSU head coach Charles McClendon, SMU halfback Kyle Rote, Notre Dame quarterback Joe Theismann, and Texas fullback Steve Worster.

The Class of 2005 honored UCLA quarterback Troy Aikman, Arkansas halfback Lance Alworth, former CBAA executive director Jim “Hoss” Brock, Texas offensive guard Mike Dean, Tennessee fullback Andy Kozar, Tennessee tailback Hank Lauricella, Penn State running back Lydell Mitchell, and former Texas A&M head coach Gene Stallings.
The Class of 2007 featured CBAA photographer Brad Bradley, Oklahoma A&M halfback Bob Fenimore, USC wide receiver Keyshawn Johnson, Texas A&M linebacker Dat Nguyen, Notre Dame head coach Ara Parseghian, and Texas offensive tackle Jerry Sisemore.

The AT&T Cotton Bowl Hall of Fame is one of several events developed by AT&T and the Cotton Bowl Athletic Association to extend the Classic to the community and to future generations. Among these activities is the AT&T Cotton Bowl Art Contest involving more than 3,000 elementary children throughout North Texas during the fall.

Since its first game in 1937, the Classic has hosted:

• 20 Pro Football Hall of Famers
• 11 Heisman Trophy winners
• 13 Outland Trophy winners
• 9 Maxwell Award winners
• 12 Lombardi Award winners
• 8 Walter Camp Award winners