College HOF moving to college 'capital of the south'

By DOUG ROBERSON

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

With a blast of confetti from overhead and a drumline to the side, the College Football Hall of Fame countdown clock turned on:

Just 1,072 days until the Hall opens in Atlanta, according to Chick-fil-A bowl president Gary Stokan, whose five-year effort to lure the Hall from its home in South Bend, Ind. officially ended on Thursday with a press conference at the ESPN Zone in Atlanta.

The excitement of the move was was echoed by several, including Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin, Governor Sonny Perdue, Chick-fil-A President Dan Cathy.

"Atlanta truly is the college football capital of the south," Gov. Perdue said in a taped message.

The economic benefit to the city was a main point emphasized by many during the press conference.

"We are beginning to develop the type of breadth of opportunities that will enable people to enjoy a wide range of entertainment," Mayor Franklin said.

Steve Hatchell, president of the National Football Foundation, thanked Atlanta for the future, and South Bend, Ind., the Hall's current home, for the past.

"Coming to Atlanta gives us a showpiece and an ability to create a platform that's very different than anything we've had in the past," Hatchel said. He joked later that he was glad the governor wasn't at the press conference because now he doesn't have to write him a letter telling him that he's not getting into the Hall. Gov. Perdue admitted as much during his message.

Enshrinements for the College Football Hall of Fame will hopefully occur during the same weekend as the season-opening Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game at the Georgia Dome, officials said on Thursday before a press conference to officially announce that the Hall is moving to Atlanta in 2012.

Stokan, the Chick-fil-A Bowl president, said details are still being discussed with the National Football Foundation, which oversees the Hall. Stokan said there are no plans to change the name of the game to the Chick-fil-A Hall of Fame game, which would be similar to the exhibition game the NFL holds during its enshrinement ceremonies in Canton, Ohio.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported on Wednesday that the Hall was moving to Atlanta, potentially to a location near Centennial Park downtown. Stokan confirmed that report on Wednesday, and said the contract would keep the Hall in the city for the next 30 years.

The Hall has been in South Bend, Ind. since 1995, but hasn't had the attendance that organizers hoped. Its first year saw 150,000 patrons, but has averaged just 60,000 a year since. Stokan said he estimates an average annual attendance of 500,000 in Atlanta.

The Chick-fil-A Bowl will fund $5 million of the hall's cost. Chick-fil-A, the Atlanta-based fast-food company, will pitch in another $5 million, Stokan said.