Beginning in 2015, each year’s college football stars will be honored at the home of the game’s greatest legends as The Home Depot College Football Awards will move to the College Football Hall of Fame and Chick-fil-A Fan Experience in downtown Atlanta as part of a new multi-year agreement between ESPN and the Hall of Fame. Airing live on ESPN on December 10, 2015, The Home Depot College Football Awardswill feature the presentation of nine of the most prestigious accolades in college football and pay tribute to the remarkable successes of each year’s standout student-athletes both on and off the field. The 45-yard-long indoor football field at the new 94,000-square-foot attraction doubles as a fully-functioning event facility and will serve as the show’s new home.
“Disney gave us a wonderful home for The Home Depot College Football Awards for more than two decades. Now, the National Football Foundation and the College Football Hall of Fame will provide us the opportunity to enhance both our coverage and the experience for attendees and fans. The show and this new venue are not only a natural fit, but a great way to mark 25 years of ESPN televising the awards,” said Burke Magnus, ESPN senior vice president, programming and acquisitions.
“The Home Depot College Football Awards celebrates exceptional student-athletes, and there’s no more fitting venue for this prestigious ceremony than at our spectacular new facility, which celebrates college football every day,” said John Stephenson, president & CEO of the College Football Hall of Fame. “The Hall of Fame was designed, built and wired for premier broadcast events like this, and we will honor this decision to move the show by providing exceptional hospitality and a celebratory experience to the players, their families, coaches and fans.”
“The new College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta provides an amazing platform for the entire college football community to celebrate the game,” said National Football Foundation President & CEO Steve Hatchell. “ESPN has been a great supporter of all of the initiatives of the National Football Foundation, and we are extremely pleased that they recognize the unique and powerful role that the new Hall of Fame can play in raising the profile for The Home Depot College Football Awards.”
Each year The Home Depot College Football Awards presents nine National College Football Awards Association (NCFAA) player awards, including such prestigious awards as the Bednarik, Biletnikoff and Maxwell Awards and the Outland Trophy. Also presented are The NCFAA Contributions to College Football Award, The Home Depot Coach of the Year Award, The Disney Spirit Award, and the Walter Camp All-America Team.
“The move to Atlanta and the College Football Hall of Fame will offer an exciting new perspective on The Home Depot College Football Awards,” said Mark Wolpert, NCFAA president. “The Hall of Fame was designed to provide visitors with an interactive experience which allows guests to explore the rich history of college football in a way never before possible, and the new facility will allow a whole new approach to the production of the show. All of the NCFAA members are excited to celebrate the 25th anniversary of The Home Depot College Football Awards in Atlanta next December.”