Jan. 5, 2009

EVANSTON, Ill. -- Northwestern's Pat Fitzgerald and 14 other College Football Hall of Fame inductees will be honored just prior to the start of tonight's (Jan. 5) Tostitos Fiesta Bowl. The National Football Foundation will showcase the newest class of inductees into the College Football Hall of Fame during its annual BCS matchup, which this year pits No. 10 Ohio State (10-2) against No. 3 Texas (11-1).

"It is a privilege for the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl to honor the newest members of the College Football Hall of Fame and all their accomplishments," said John Junker, president of the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl. "Their presence adds to our year-end celebration of college football and its rich history and pageantry."

The Hall of Famers will participate in the pregame festivities while being introduced on the field in front of the fans and a national audience before the 7 p.m. (CST) Bowl Championship Series (BCS) game on Fox. The 2008-09 National Hall of Fame Salute marks the fourth year of the tradition, building on a long-standing relationship between the two organizations and utilizing the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl's national stage to hold up greatest players and coaches in the history of the game.

"We are excited to continue our partnership with the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl in highlighting the accomplishments of the most recent class of Hall of Famers," said NFF President & CEO Steven J. Hatchell. "The leadership of Dave Tilson, John Junker, and the entire Tostitos Fiesta Bowl family with this initiative allows us to further showcase the careers of the best the college gridiron has ever seen."

2008 COLLEGE FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME CLASS

* TROY AIKMAN - UCLA, QB (1987-88)
* BILLY CANNON - LSU, HB (1957-59)
* COACH JOHN COOPER - Tulsa (1977- 84), Arizona State (1985-87), Ohio State (1988-2000)
* JIM DOMBROWSKI - Virginia, OT (1982- 85)
* Pat Fitzgerald - Northwestern, LB (1993-96)
* COACH LOU HOLTZ - William & Mary (1969-71), NC State (1972-75), Arkansas (1977-83), Minnesota (1984-85), Notre Dame (1986-96), South Carolina (1999-2004)
* WILBER MARSHALL - Florida, LB (1980- 83)
* RUEBEN MAYES - Washington St., RB (1982-85)
* RANDALL McDANIEL - Arizona St., OG (1984-87)
* DON McPHERSON - Syracuse, QB (1984- 87)
* JAY NOVACEK - Wyoming, TE (1982-84)
* DAVE PARKS - Texas Tech, SE (1961-63)
* RON SIMMONS - Florida State, NG (1977- 80)
* THURMAN THOMAS - Oklahoma St., RB (1984-87)
* ARNOLD TUCKER - Army, QB (1944-46)

Coach Lou Holtz is the only Hall of Famer to have participated in the Fiesta Bowl, winning the 1988 National Championship.

Besides recognition during the pregame ceremonies, the Hall of Famers also participated in the 38th Annual Fort McDowell Fiesta Bowl Parade presented by Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation on Saturday, Jan. 3.