July 6, 2010
IOWA CITY, IA – Thousands of college football fans from across the country will join the National Football Foundation from July 16-17 at the College Football Hall of Fame in South Bend, Ind., for the organization’s annual Enshrinement Festival, which will pay tribute to the storied careers of Larry Station from the University of Iowa along with 23 other football standouts as they are formally enshrined into the Hall of Fame.
“We are very pleased to have the opportunity to enshrine another exceptional class of college football legends,” said NFF President & CEO Steven J. Hatchell. “Each year our hard-working honors courts do an outstanding job ensuring the game’s greatest players and coaches find their place on college football’s mountain top. We look forward to celebrating in South Bend with this amazing class and their loyal fans from around the country.”
As a powerhouse linebacker, Larry Station remains the only player in Iowa history to lead the team in tackles for four consecutive seasons, with a career 492 tackles. A star both on and off the field, Station wasn’t short of awards; twice earning First Team All-America and First Team Academic All-America honors. Station also earned First Team All-Big Ten selection three times, while leading the Hawkeyes to a 35-13-1 record during his career. Guiding his team to four consecutive bowl games and a Big Ten Championship in 1985. Hayden Fry, Station’s former coach, stated; “He was a leader on and off the field. All his teammates and members of our coaching staff had an enormous amount of respect for Larry. My sincerest congratulations to Larry. He deserves all the recognition he’s getting.” He is most remembered by Hawkeye fans for his game-saving tackle on running back Jamie Morris in the 1985 game against Michigan. With Iowa ranked as # 1 and Michigan following in a close # 2, Station tackled Morris causing a two-yard loss, leading to an Iowa victory.
Station was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1986. After one season Station was forced to retire due to a back injury that he had never fully recovered from during his final college game. Station returned to school and earned his M.B.A. from Washington University in St. Louis in 1990. Sports Illustrated chose Station in 1999 as the 38th greatest sports figure in history from the state of Nebraska.
Fans have a variety of opportunities to meet and mingle with the enshrinees during this spectacular event. The jam-packed weekend will include a celebrity golf tournament, a fan festival, a grand parade, a youth football clinic, a fireworks spectacular with the celebration culminating with the Enshrinement Dinner & Show on Saturday evening.
“The College Football Hall of Fame is honored to host so many notable contributors to the game in South Bend, celebrating this tremendous accolade,” said College Football Hall of Fame Executive Director Lisa Klunder. “Enshrinement in the College Football Hall of Fame is a rare distinction shared by only the most accomplished players, and our festival boasts a myriad of events to highlight this extraordinary achievement.”
Tickets for all events are on sale now. Space is limited for certain events. For events, pricing, times, tickets or for more information on Larry Station and his enshrinement into the Hall of Fame visit www.enshrinementfestival.org or call 574-235-5714.