DALLAS – Six individuals who helped shape the tradition and history of the AT&T Cotton Bowl will be inducted into the Classic’s Hall of Fame during enshrinement ceremonies on Wednesday.

The honorees include the CBAA’s first executive director Wilbur Evans, Notre Dame split end Kris Haines, Texas wingback Phil Harris, Alabama middle guard Warren Lyles, Notre Dame quarterback Joe Montana, and Texas A&M and Mississippi State head coach Jackie Sherrill.

“Hall of Fame Day is truly a special day,” said Tommy Bain, the chairman of the Cotton Bowl Athletic Association. “This is an event that gives us a chance to reflect upon our game’s history and to honor those who have played such a vital role in the success of the AT&T Cotton Bowl Classic through the years.

“We have so much to be thankful for in our game’s 74-year history,” Bain noted. “Our record book reads like a Who’s Who in college football. The Hall of Fame celebrates the outstanding performances of four legendary players, an outstanding head coach, and an administrator who played a huge role in expanding the reach and legacy of the AT&T Cotton Bowl Classic.”

The induction ceremony begins at Noon on Wednesday in AT&T Plaza on the west side of Cowboys Stadium. The event is free and open to the public and is expected to last for one hour.

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.

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 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.

Since its first game in 1937, the Classic has hosted:
20 Pro Football Hall of Famers
11 Heisman Trophy Winners
13 Outland Trophy Winners
12 Lombardi Award Winners
9 Maxwell Award Winners
8 Walter Camp Award Winners