By Anthony Caruso III
Posted: December 18th, 2014 at 11:04 AM EST
The Home Depot College Football Awards has moved from the Walt Disney complex, where it has been for years. Now, as part of a new agreement with ESPN, this award ceremony will be hosted at Atlanta, Georgia’s new College Football Hall of Fame.
In December 2015, it will be the 25th anniversary of ESPN broadcasting the show. ESPN will air the first show from Atlanta on December 10th, 2015, and will include a presentation of mine of the most prestigious awards in college football.
The show will take place on a 45-yard indoor football field inside the 94,000-square-foot as the new home of the show.
“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 show will highlight awards such as the Bednarik, Biletnikoff, and the Maxwell Awards. Also, the Outland Trophy and presents the NCFAA Contributions to College Football Award. The show also highlights The Home Depot Coach of the Year Award, the Disney Spirit Award, and the Walter Camp Award as well as the Walter Camp All-American Team.
“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.”
“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.”