Hall of Fame Classic

The Hall of Fame Classic was an annual post-season college football bowl game played at Legion Field from 1977 to 1985, when it moved to Tampa, Florida and was replaced by the All-American Bowl.

The game was suggested in 1975 by University of Alabama All-American Fred Sington. With the help of Izod CEO Vincent Draddy, he approached the National Football Foundation to lend their support to the game. Bob Lochamy was the first executive director.

1977

• Maryland, coached by Jerry Claiborne, defeated Minnesota 17-7 in front of 47,000 fans.

1978

• Texas A&M defeated Iowa State 28-12, finishing at #19 in the AP Poll. The Texas A&M marching band drew 9,000 spectators to Legion Field the day before the game.

1979

• Missouri defeated South Carolina 24-14.

1980

• Lou Holtz' Arkansas Razorbacks defeated Tulane 34-15.

1981

• Mississippi State defeated Kansas 10-0 before 41,672 fans on a soggy field in the series' only shutout.

1982

• Air Force defeated Vanderbilt 36-28.

1983

• West Virginia defeated Kentucky 20-16, finishing at #16 in the AP Poll. Jerry Claiborne returned to the Hall of Fame Classic as Kentucky's head coach.

1984

• Kentucky defeated Wisconsin 20-19 in the closest finish of the series. The Wildcats finished at #19 in the AP Poll.

1985

• Georgia Tech defeated Michigan State 17-14, finishing at #19 in the AP Poll.

References

• Segrest, Doug (December 23, 2006) "Games had big names, big crowds." Birmingham News.