Tag Archive for: college football hall of fame

COLLEGE FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME CELEBRATES 90 YEARS OF HEISMAN MEMORIAL TROPHY – SPECIAL EXHIBIT IN ATLANTA

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 10/19/25

Bring your friends and family to see priceless Heisman memorabilia and celebrate college football’s most prestigious award like never before

The College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta is set to unveil a new specialty exhibit to honor the 90th anniversary of the Heisman Memorial Trophy. The temporary exhibit will showcase rare artifacts, priceless memorabilia and interactive experiences that highlight the history and legacy of college football’s most prestigious individual award, which is given annually to the outstanding college football player whose performance epitomizes great ability combined with diligence, perseverance and hard work.

Among the highlights of the exhibit is a jersey from Yale’s Clinton Frank, who won the Heisman in 1937, making his jersey the exhibit’s oldest artifact from a Heisman-winning player. In addition to nine replica helmets spanning nine decades of Heisman winners, fans will also get to see unique campaign memorabilia such as Ty Detmer’s tie, Byron Leftwich’s bobblehead and DeAngelo Williams’ diecast NASCAR toy. Joe Burrow’s jersey, Bryce Young’s helmet, Ron Dayne’s cleats and Tony Dorsett’s shoulder pads are just some of the uniform pieces on display, as well as infographic posters detailing the origin and sculpting of the trophy and an interactive kiosk exploring the impact of the trophy on college football.


“The Heisman Trophy represents the very best of college football and is synonymous with excellence and tradition in the sport,” said Kimberly Beaudin, CEO of the College Football Hall of Fame. “For nearly a century, it has honored the players talents continue to inspire fans across the country, and this exhibit gives us the opportunity to share the legacy and importance of the award with visitors to The Hall.”


The exhibit will also contain details on the Heisman voting process, the programs boasting seven or more winners, and some of the most memorable moments in Heisman history, while a wall of portraits showcasing past Heisman Trophy winners will provide insights into the portrait process. Just outside the exhibit, guests will be able to see a display dedicated to the most recent Heisman Trophy winner, Suwanee native Travis Hunter, check out an exact replica of the Heisman Trophy, and can use The Hall’s interactive technology to virtually pose with the trophy.


“We created an exhibit that highlights the history of the Heisman and shows the creativity and culture surrounding the award,” said Denis Crawford, Lead Historian and Exhibit Designer of the College Football Hall of Fame. “Now, The Hall is proud to use its platform as a leader in the college football landscape to educate and excite fans with stories from the Heisman’s history and what the trophy means to college football.”

The Heisman Trophy exhibit will be housed in the Andrea and James Clarke Family Gallery on the second floor of the venue, and will be available to guests starting on Thursday, Oct. 16 until the spring of 2026. During their visit, fans are encouraged to strike their best Heisman pose, share it on social media, and join The Hall in celebrating college football’s most storied award. For more information about the College Football Hall of Fame, including hours of operation, ticket prices, and other visitor guidelines, please visit cfbhall.com.

THE COLLEGE FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME’S FOOTBALL FEST & FREE DAY PRESENTED BY THE PEACH BOWL CELEBRATES THE RETURN OF COLLEGE FOOTBALL SEASON

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 8/20/25

 See reimagined exhibits and the College GameDay bus with free admission to The Hall for guests on Sat., Aug. 23

The College Football Hall of Fame’s Football Fest & Free Day presented by the Peach Bowl returns on Saturday, Aug. 23, once again bringing the ultimate college football kickoff party to Atlanta. Celebrate the return of college football with reimagined exhibits, interactive activations, and free admission for all guests, creating an unforgettable day in the Capital of College Football.

The event, running from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m., will feature the famed College GameDay bus, and an electric atmosphere headlined by live DJs, including DJ Jay Envy, the official DJ for the Atlanta Falcons, and DJ Euphoria and DJ Danny M, who regularly energize pregame crowds at Atlanta United and Atlanta Falcons games. MC Carlos Morales will also be returning to keep the hype going throughout the day.

“Our annual Football Fest & Free Day has become the ultimate way to usher in the college football season, and we are proud to open our doors to fans from across all of college football,” said Kimberly Beaudin, CEO of the College Football Hall of Fame. “Thanks to our incredible partners at Southern Company and Coca-Cola, the newly reimagined exhibits will help bring the energy to life, and we can’t wait to help showcase why Atlanta is the capital of college football.”

This year, guests will also have the opportunity to check out two major exhibit enhancements unveiled just in time for the event:

  • Southern Company ‘Celebrating HBCUs’: The renovated exhibit now includes AI-powered visualizations of HBCU drum majors, marching band members, and majorettes, marking the first motion-based AI installation in The Hall and elevates an already rich display.
  • Coca-Cola ‘Fight Song Karaoke’: A fully reimagined, gamified experience allows guests to select their favorite team’s fight song and sing along with friends on large LED screens to become the next Chant Champion.

During the celebration, guests can also experience inflatables, interactive games, prize giveaways, and appearances from Georgia Tech’s iconic Ramblin’ Wreck, local team mascots, cheerleaders, and marching bands. Atlanta Falcons coaches will be conducting a Youth Football Clinic from 11 a.m. to Noon, followed by the Atlanta Falcons cheerleaders leading a Youth Cheer Clinic from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m., with spots for both clinics available to be reserved by visiting this link.

New this year, guests can elevate their experience with a VIP Tour, offered at a special Football Fest rate of $35 per person. These guided tours will run every 45 minutes, with limited space available per tour, so book your reservation through The Hall’s ticketing page. Each VIP ticket includes a Hall of Fame-branded water bottle and a Chick-fil-A gift card redeemable for one sandwich, courtesy of Chick-fil-A. Guests will also be able to take advantage of The Hall’s newly refreshed membership tiers, available for purchase during the event, with all seven tiers offering unique privileges and tailored experiences to celebrate the legacy of college football.

While tickets are not mandatory, guests do have the option to reserve their spot at cfbhall.com/tickets, and by doing so, gain access to the ‘Fast Pass’ line, ensuring minimal wait times for entry to the event. Those planning to attend are encouraged to consider utilizing Atlanta’s public transportation system, MARTA, in an effort to alleviate congestion around the Football Fest event, or conveniently park in the Green Deck, located at the corner of Marietta Street and Baker Street, and a short walk from The Hall.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME HONORS AMERICA’S PAST TIME AND ELITE DUAL-SPORT ATHELETES IN NEW TEMPORARY EXHIBIT

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 5/30/25

“Double Play: Stars of the Gridiron & Diamond” celebrates arrival of MLB All-Star Game to Atlanta

In celebration of Atlanta hosting Major League Baseball’s All-Star Game this July, the College Football Hall of Fame has unveiled a new temporary exhibit for the summer – “Double Play: Stars of the Gridiron & Diamond.” This special exhibit shines the spotlight on the elite athletes who made their mark in both college football and professional baseball, a rare athletic feat.


Running through mid-October, “Double Play” will be available throughout the remainder of Major League Baseball’s regular season, inviting visitors to experience exclusive artifacts that tell the story of some iconic figures and their involvement in America’s pastime, including game-worn jerseys, vintage baseball cards, game-used bats and gloves, and more. Individuals highlighted in the exhibit include:


● Deion Sanders (Florida State) – 1994 Atlanta Braves and 1997 Cincinnati Reds jerseys
● Bo Jackson (Auburn) – circa 1989 Kansas City Royals jersey
● Kirk Gibson (Michigan State) – 1995 Detroit Tigers jersey and game-used glove
● Jackie Jensen (California) – 1958 AL MVP memorabilia including Topps baseball cards, Sports Illustrated cover, and a game-used bat
● Harry Agganis (Boston University) – BU shoulder pads, 1954 game-used glove and bat and life-sized statue on loan from The Sports Museum of Boston
● Greasy Neale (Coach) – rare 1919 memorabilia such as a postcard and souvenir bio


Located on the second floor of The Hall, in the Andrea & James Clarke Family gallery, the exhibit offers a compelling narrative of how athletic excellence can transcend sports, and why these Hall of Fame inductees remain enduring symbols of versatility, discipline, and greatness. Baseball fans, football fans, and sports enthusiasts alike won’t want to miss this opportunity to see how legends are made – twice.

The exhibit is currently open to guests Wednesday through Monday, 10am to 5pm. For more information about the College Football Hall of Fame, including hours of operation, ticket prices, and other visitor guidelines, please visit cfbhall.com.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME UNVEILS 2024 LOCKER EXHIBIT TO HONOR NEWEST CLASS OF INDUCTEES

Custom lockers feature artifacts and memorabilia from the players and coaches entering the Hall of Fame

The College Football Hall of Fame is proud to announce the unveiling of its annual fan-favorite exhibit, the personalized lockers dedicated to each inductee from the current Hall of Fame Class. This year’s edition of the exhibit will showcase some of the 2024 College Football Hall of Fame inductees’ most treasured artifacts and memorabilia, offering fans a glimpse into the careers and legacies of these legendary players and coaches.

The exhibit will be installed on the third floor of the Hall of Fame, just outside the iconic Hall of Fame Rotunda, where every record-breaking and trophy-hoisting inductee is forever enshrined in glory. This special location serves as the ultimate tribute to the sport’s most celebrated figures, and will feature their school’s logo and colors, as well as game-worn jerseys, helmets, and other significant artifacts.

“We are thrilled to announce this exciting new addition to the Hall of Fame,” said Kimberly Beaudin, President and CEO of the College Football Hall of Fame. “The Class of 2024 Locker Exhibit pays tribute to the incredible athletes and coaches who have left an undeniable mark on the sport we all love so much. We are happy to provide a place where their legacies will continue to inspire and educate future generations of football fans.”

The 2024 Class includes eight unanimous First Team All-Americans, 10 winners of major college football awards, seven conference players of the year, nine players who still hold school records, 12 first-round draft picks, and two players who are their school’s first-ever Hall of Fame player, as well as coaches who amassed 25 conference championships and 39 bowl/postseason appearances, earned three national coaches of the year awards, and two who have the most wins in their school’s history.

On top of these incredible accomplishments by the individuals, it is worth noting that the College Football Hall of Fame’s selection process is the most rigorous among all of the sports Halls of Fame, with only 0.02% of college football players and coaches being able to say they have the honor of being inducted.

Some specific items on display include numerous of Mark Dantonio’s conference and bowl game championship rings, Warrick Dunn’s game-worn jerseys, Julius Peppers’s Lombardi Award from 2001, Toby Gerhart’s Doak Walker Award from 2009, Randy Moss’s Marshall jersey and 1996 I-AA National Champions Sweatshirt, and Danny Woodhead’s Harlon Hill Trophy as D-II’s Most Valuable Player.

Each locker will be available for viewing until next year’s class is inducted, offering fans a limited-time opportunity to experience this remarkable exhibit firsthand.

The 2024 College Football Hall of Fame Class will be honored at the Induction Ceremony in Las Vegas on December 10, at the Enshrinement Ceremony in Atlanta on December 30, as well as during the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl on Wednesday, January 1, 2025.

For more information about the College Football Hall of Fame, including hours of operation, ticket prices, and other visitor guidelines, please visit cfbhall.com.

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 12/12/24

THE CHICK-FIL-A COLLEGE FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME PUTS FANS DIRECTLY INTO THE GAME WITH ITS NEW AI EXPERIENCE

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 8/26/24

In Partnership with Creative Principals and HyperCinema, GAME ON! Delivers Never Before Seen Artificial Intelligence Integrations

Set, Hike! The College Football Hall of Fame is setting a new industry milestone with its new GAME ON! AI Experience. This deeply engaging, personalized storytelling experience inserts fans into the rich history of college football. The introduction of GAME ON! and overall renovation mark a new era for the Hall of Fame as it celebrates 10 years in Atlanta and cements its impact in the Capital of College Football.

While museums and entertainment destinations have experimented with artificial intelligence since 2017, GAME ON! uses generative AI for the first time to make guests the hero of the college football story. Guests step up to a photographic face scan kiosk, prompting a series of questions about their favorite team, biggest rivals and their dream position they’d take on the field. The technology leverages this information to tailor their experience, spanning 14 fan-specific AI experiences throughout the Hall. Guests will see their likeness, preferences and personality through curated images and video with customized captions. Here are just a few examples: 

  • The Super Fan: Guests are transported to a college football stadium where they find themselves cheering in the stands and wearing their favorite team’s colors. Simultaneously, they can read about their own game day rituals.
  • The Weight Room: This existing exhibit is being enhanced by GAME ON! AI so guests can both see themselves pumping iron and read about how they can reach maximum strength. 
  • The Coaches: The existing coaches exhibit has been updated with a video called “The Greatest Coaches That Never Were,” where guests are shown as a fictitious historic college coach who inspired their team through some unusual methods.
  • The Champions & Contenders: Guests can pose with the Heisman and College Football Championship trophies, next to a display case featuring the real-life hardware.
  • The Field JumboTron: As guests enter the College Football Hall of Fame’s famous field to kick, pass and run, they’ll find a video of themselves as their favorite team’s most recent college recruit with a personalized voice-over playing on the field’s large LED screen.

“As a leading attraction in sports and a symbol of College Football at the highest level, we were looking for a modern way to pay homage to the sport we love,” said Kimberly Beaudin, President and CEO of the College Football Hall of Fame. “GAME ON! is our mission in action: an experience that connects fans to college football through education, inspiration and entertainment, while honoring the sport’s excellence through every artifact and AI touchpoint.”

GAME ON! is the result of a ground-breaking, international collaboration between the College Football Hall of Fame, Georgia’s Creative Principals, New Zealand tech startup HyperCinema and The Producers Group from Los Angeles. “When the College Football Hall of Fame enlisted our help to reimagine its exhibits and experiences, we had the vision to help guests become part of the story, rather than just witness it,” said Geoff Thatcher, founder and chief creative officer of Creative Principals, the creative firm behind the development of GAME ON!. 

HyperCinema’s groundbreaking technology and team has brought Creative Principals’ vision to life. “For the last two years, our team of skilled experts has been developing and refining this hyper-personalized storytelling technology. We’re honored to collaborate with Creative Principals to create this remarkable experience for the College Football Hall of Fame. Now every guest can become the hero of their own story, ushering in a new age for creative guest experiences,” said Dr. Miles Gregory, co-founder and creative director of HyperCinema, the company responsible for the patented technology that powers GAME ON!.

The upgrades to the Hall of Fame’s guest experience aren’t stopping with GAME ON!. 

The Hall and Aflac partnered to create an all-new exhibit celebrating the rich shared history between the US Military and College Football. The fitting tribute honors our U.S. Service Academies, Senior Military Academies and Hall of Fame Inductees who served. The exhibit will showcase priceless artifacts, uniform displays and an 18ft x 12ft video wall of stadium flyovers. The new “Military and Football” exhibit also includes a GAME ON! AI experience putting guests in the cockpit of a plane or helicopter during a stadium flyover.

Additional upgrades include an expanded exhibit on the game’s biggest rivalries, a high-intensity walk-in tunnel, specially curated display honoring a decade in Atlanta and a reimagined retail experience in the Team Store.

The Chick-fil-A College Football Hall of Fame will reopen to the public on Saturday, August 24 with a 10th Anniversary Celebration and Kickoff Game Football Fest. For more information on the grand reopening or visiting the Hall in Atlanta, visit the College Football Hall of Fame website. 

COLLEGE FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME 10TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION AND KICKOFF GAME FOOTBALL FEST

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 8/7/24

Grammy-Winning Artist & ATLien Antwan “Big Boi” Patton Headlines Free Celebration Concert on Aug. 24

Chick-fil-A College Football Hall of Fame and “Big Boi” 

The College Football Hall of Fame is marking its 10th anniversary in Atlanta and is bringing the community together at its 10th Anniversary Celebration and Kickoff Game Football Fest. 

The milestone celebration underscores the Hall’s pivotal role in helping establish Atlanta as the Capital of College Football and includes:

  • The unveiling of innovative new exhibits and enhanced fan engagement inside the Hall
  • Football and cheer clinics with notable Atlanta Falcons players and cheerleaders on the Peach Bowl Playing Field 
  • A star-studded lineup of live DJs, including DJ Jay Envy, DJ Euphoria and DJ Danny M, as well as MC Carlos Morales
  • Guest appearances from former Atlanta Falcons, Atlanta Falcons cheerleaders, representatives of the Atlanta Vibe, local team mascots, cheerleaders and marching bands
  • The famed Home Depot GameDay Bus, inflatables and prize giveaways
  • The day will be capped off with a concert entirely free to the public put on by Grammy-winning artist and Atlantan Antwan “Big Boi” Patton of the famed Outkast

A great experience for both families and general fans of college football complete with activities both inside the Hall and outside in front of the Hall on Marietta Street, keeping the excitement levels at a premium all day.

In addition to the complimentary concert from Big Boi, everyone can get in on the festivities, as the Hall and Coca-Cola have partnered to create the “Coca-Cola Free Admission Day,” allowing guests to experience all that the anniversary event has to offer both inside and outside the Hall. While tickets are not mandatory, guests do have the option to reserve their spot online prior to arrival.

To register for clinics, get advanced tickets and more, visit cfbhall.com.

Those planning to attend are encouraged to consider using Atlanta’s public transportation system, MARTA.