Big Ten: Coast to Coast - College Football Hall of Fame Unveils New Exhibition Dedicated to Cross-Country Expansion of Big Ten Conference

The College Football Hall of Fame proudly announces the debut of its newest special exhibition, “Big Ten: Coast to Coast,” which will offer a captivating exploration of the rich history and expansive impact of the Big Ten Conference. Featuring all current members of the conference, the exhibition will provide fans the opportunity to experience a comprehensive journey through the Big Ten’s evolution, traditions, and iconic destinations.

With an engaging narrative that spans from the conference’s inception as The Intercollegiate Conference of Faculty Representatives in 1895 at Chicago’s famous Palmer House, to its current status as a leading collegiate sports conference, “Big Ten: Coast to Coast” captivates audiences through a diverse range of interactive aspects. Highlights of the exhibit include:

• Team Lockers: Each of the 18 schools is prominently represented through authentic team uniforms and a collection of artifacts and memorabilia, including conference rivalry trophies.
• Evolutionary Maps: The exhibition features maps charting the evolution of the Big Ten, starting with its beginning as a Great Lakes-based conference to its current presence spanning from the Atlantic to the Pacific.
• Expansive Travel Details: A captivating collage of travel posters showcase the conference’s image, while advances in travel since 1896 illustrate how the Big Ten has changed.
• Mascot & Trivia Showcase: Learn details about beloved Big Ten mascots in the “People” to See display and test your knowledge with the interactive Big “Ten” Questions experience.

“We’re thrilled to unveil ‘Big Ten: Coast to Coast,’ providing football enthusiasts, everyday football fans, and loyal visitors the opportunity to explore the celebrated history and culture of our nation’s oldest collegiate athletics conference,” expressed Kimberly Beaudin, President and CEO of the College Football Hall of Fame. “This exhibit serves as a tribute to the enduring legacy and expanding impact of the Big Ten as they are now truly coast to coast.”

Additionally, this exhibit offers the Hall of Fame an opportunity to highlight its 325 previously enshrined individuals who are primarily affiliated with Big Ten schools, including the 17 players/coaches who were members of the inaugural Hall of Fame class in 1951. In fact, last year’s class of 22 individuals featured four Big Ten players: Reggie Bush (USC), Robert Gallery (Iowa), LaMichael James (Oregon), and Troy Vincent (Wisconsin).

“As the Big Ten Conference continues to leave an indelible mark on college football, the ‘Big Ten: Coast to Coast’ exhibit celebrates the rich history of our conference’s storied background,” said Big Ten Conference Commissioner Tony Petitti. “From our founding principles to today’s landmark achievements, this showcase at the College Football Hall of Fame embodies the spirit of our institutions and the passion of our fans. We are honored to have this special exhibit at the Hall of Fame.”

The “Big Ten: Coast to Coast” exhibit promises to be an unforgettable exploration of the conference’s legacy, inspiring a newfound appreciation for its enduring impact on the ever-changing college football landscape. Don’t miss out on your chance to check out this new exhibit, scheduled to be available at the Hall of Fame from January until August 2024.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Trevor Bowden

trevor@babbitbodner.com

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About the Chick-fil-A College Football Hall of Fame

The Chick-fil-A College Football Hall of Fame is a 94,256-square-foot attraction located in the heart of Atlanta's sports, entertainment and tourism district. Adjacent to the Georgia World Congress Center and Centennial Olympic Park, the Hall provides visitors with a highly immersive, interactive and engaging experience using a blend of historic college football artifacts and state-of-the-art, interactive multimedia exhibits. The National Football Foundation (NFF) launched the Hall in 1951 to stand as one of the nation's premier sports shrines, immortalizing the game’s greatest players and coaches as positive role models for future generations. Atlanta Hall Management, Inc., partnered with the NFF to construct and operate the Hall of Fame attraction, which provides a platform for community outreach, education and character development initiatives, as well as serves as one of Atlanta’s premier special event spaces. For more information, please visit www.cfbhal.com.

About the Big Ten Conference

The Big Ten Conference is an association of world-class universities whose member institutions share a common mission of research, graduate, professional and undergraduate teaching and public service. Founded in 1896, the Big Ten has sustained a comprehensive set of shared practices and policies that enforce the priority of academics in the lives of students competing in intercollegiate athletics and emphasize the values of integrity, fairness and competitiveness. The broad-based programs of the 14 Big Ten institutions will provide over $200 million in direct financial support to more than 9,500 students for more than 11,000 participation opportunities on 350 teams in 42 different sports. The Big Ten sponsors 28 official conference sports, 14 for men and 14 for women, including the addition of men's ice hockey and men's and women's lacrosse since 2013. For more information, visit www.bigten.org.