The University of Akron Athletics
Akron’s Cockerham Listed on College Football HOF Ballot
June 01 | Football
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NFF HALL OF FAME BALLOT
IRVING, Texas — Former Akron Zip Steve Cockerham (1974-77) has been listed among the 98 players from the divisional ranks on the 2018 ballot for induction into the College Football Hall of Fame, the National Football Foundation (NFF) & College Hall of Fame announced on Thursday.
A two-time first-team All-American linebacker, Cockerham helped the Zips to the NCAA Division II national championship game as a junior in 1976 under head coach Jim Dennison. He earned Honorable Mention All-American honors as a sophomore. He joined the starting line-up as a freshman after coming off the bench in the second half against Delaware and making 14 solo tackles and four assists. The Zips' defensive MVP for three seasons (1975-77), Cockerham was the recipient of the team's Harry "Doc" Smith Award as the outstanding player (by class) all four years. Akron's career leader in tackles with 715 (373 solo/342 assists), Cockerham still holds the school records for solo tackles in a season (107 from 1975) and in a career (373). He ranks 10th on UA's career list for interceptions (9), including six interceptions from the 1976 season alone. Cockerham, who served as a team captain as a senior in 1977, was inducted into the Summit County Sports Hall of Fame in 1986 and into Akron's Sports Hall of Fame in 1987.
"No question that Steve is one of the best players and individuals I have ever coached," Dennison said. "His accolades speak for themselves. He was one of those players who were way ahead of his time. He did it all for us at Akron, and he did it quietly and efficiently. He was a leader and one of the most respected guys on the team and went out and did his job every day at an extremely high level."
Akron has one College Football Hall of Fame inductee– UA's first athletics director and football coach John W. Heisman (1893-94).
Akron played Division II football from 1974 to 1979. The Zips moved into Division I-AA (now called FCS- Football Championship Subdivision) in 1980. Akron became the first school in the nation to move up to NCAA Division I-A (now called FBS- Football Bowl Subdivision) in 1987.
The ballot was emailed today to the more than 12,000 NFF members and current Hall of Famers whose votes will be tabulated and submitted to the NFF's Honors Courts, which will deliberate and select the class. The FBS Honors Court, chaired by NFF Board Member and College Football Hall of Famer Archie Griffin from Ohio State, and the Divisional Honors Court, chaired by former Marshall head coach, longtime athletics director, and NFF Board Member Jack Lengyel (Akron 1954-56), include an elite and geographically diverse pool of athletic administrators, Hall of Famers, and members of the media.
The announcement of the 2018 Class will be made Monday, Jan. 8, 2018, in Atlanta. The city is serving as the host for the CFP National Championship, which will be played later that day at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Some of the inductees will be on site during the announcement to represent the class and share their thoughts on being elected. The Jan. 8 announcement will be televised live, and specific viewing information will be available as the date draws near. A few inductees will also participate in the pregame festivities and the coin toss before the championship game.
The 2018 class will officially be inducted during the 61st NFF Annual Awards Dinner Dec. 4, 2018, at the New York Hilton Midtown. The inductees will be permanently enshrined at the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta later that December and honored on the field during the 14th Annual National Hall of Fame Salute during the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl. They will also be honored at their respective schools at an NFF Hall of Fame On-Campus Salute, presented by Fidelity Investments, during the 2018 season.
Under the guidance of sixth-year head coach Terry Bowden, Akron opens the 2017 season at Penn State on Saturday, Sept. 2, at Noon. ABC will televise the game nationally.
Season ticket plans—which include a ticket to all six home games as well as a parking pass—start at only $60 each. Renewals (for current season ticket holders) and new seats are now available for purchase by calling 1-888-99-AKRON (25766) or visiting The C.P. and Cornelia S. Chima Athletics Ticket Office at InfoCision Stadium - Summa Field (located at 375 E. Exchange Street, near Gate 1 at the southwest corner of the venue, at the corner of E. Exchange and S. Union streets) during business hours (Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.).
The season ticket renewal deadline in June 15. Payment plans are available.
Group tickets start at $10 each (with a minimum of 15 people).
ABOUT The National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame
Founded in 1947 with early leadership from General Douglas MacArthur, legendary Army coach Earl "Red" Blaik and immortal journalist Grantland Rice, The National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame is a non-profit educational organization that runs programs designed to use the power of amateur football in developing scholarship, citizenship and athletic achievement in young people. With 120 chapters and 12,000 members nationwide, NFF programs include FootballMatters.org, the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta, The William V. Campbell Trophy presented by Fidelity Investments, annual scholarships of more than $1.3 million and a series of initiatives to honor the legends of the past and inspire the leaders of the future. NFF corporate partners include Delta Air Lines, Fidelity Investments, Herff Jones, Hofmann Brands, New York Athletic Club, Pasadena Tournament of Roses, PrimeSport, the Sports Business Journal, Under Armour and VICIS. Learn more at www.footballfoundation.org.
NFF HALL OF FAME BALLOT
IRVING, Texas — Former Akron Zip Steve Cockerham (1974-77) has been listed among the 98 players from the divisional ranks on the 2018 ballot for induction into the College Football Hall of Fame, the National Football Foundation (NFF) & College Hall of Fame announced on Thursday.
A two-time first-team All-American linebacker, Cockerham helped the Zips to the NCAA Division II national championship game as a junior in 1976 under head coach Jim Dennison. He earned Honorable Mention All-American honors as a sophomore. He joined the starting line-up as a freshman after coming off the bench in the second half against Delaware and making 14 solo tackles and four assists. The Zips' defensive MVP for three seasons (1975-77), Cockerham was the recipient of the team's Harry "Doc" Smith Award as the outstanding player (by class) all four years. Akron's career leader in tackles with 715 (373 solo/342 assists), Cockerham still holds the school records for solo tackles in a season (107 from 1975) and in a career (373). He ranks 10th on UA's career list for interceptions (9), including six interceptions from the 1976 season alone. Cockerham, who served as a team captain as a senior in 1977, was inducted into the Summit County Sports Hall of Fame in 1986 and into Akron's Sports Hall of Fame in 1987.
"No question that Steve is one of the best players and individuals I have ever coached," Dennison said. "His accolades speak for themselves. He was one of those players who were way ahead of his time. He did it all for us at Akron, and he did it quietly and efficiently. He was a leader and one of the most respected guys on the team and went out and did his job every day at an extremely high level."
Akron has one College Football Hall of Fame inductee– UA's first athletics director and football coach John W. Heisman (1893-94).
Akron played Division II football from 1974 to 1979. The Zips moved into Division I-AA (now called FCS- Football Championship Subdivision) in 1980. Akron became the first school in the nation to move up to NCAA Division I-A (now called FBS- Football Bowl Subdivision) in 1987.
The ballot was emailed today to the more than 12,000 NFF members and current Hall of Famers whose votes will be tabulated and submitted to the NFF's Honors Courts, which will deliberate and select the class. The FBS Honors Court, chaired by NFF Board Member and College Football Hall of Famer Archie Griffin from Ohio State, and the Divisional Honors Court, chaired by former Marshall head coach, longtime athletics director, and NFF Board Member Jack Lengyel (Akron 1954-56), include an elite and geographically diverse pool of athletic administrators, Hall of Famers, and members of the media.
The announcement of the 2018 Class will be made Monday, Jan. 8, 2018, in Atlanta. The city is serving as the host for the CFP National Championship, which will be played later that day at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Some of the inductees will be on site during the announcement to represent the class and share their thoughts on being elected. The Jan. 8 announcement will be televised live, and specific viewing information will be available as the date draws near. A few inductees will also participate in the pregame festivities and the coin toss before the championship game.
The 2018 class will officially be inducted during the 61st NFF Annual Awards Dinner Dec. 4, 2018, at the New York Hilton Midtown. The inductees will be permanently enshrined at the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta later that December and honored on the field during the 14th Annual National Hall of Fame Salute during the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl. They will also be honored at their respective schools at an NFF Hall of Fame On-Campus Salute, presented by Fidelity Investments, during the 2018 season.
Under the guidance of sixth-year head coach Terry Bowden, Akron opens the 2017 season at Penn State on Saturday, Sept. 2, at Noon. ABC will televise the game nationally.
Season ticket plans—which include a ticket to all six home games as well as a parking pass—start at only $60 each. Renewals (for current season ticket holders) and new seats are now available for purchase by calling 1-888-99-AKRON (25766) or visiting The C.P. and Cornelia S. Chima Athletics Ticket Office at InfoCision Stadium - Summa Field (located at 375 E. Exchange Street, near Gate 1 at the southwest corner of the venue, at the corner of E. Exchange and S. Union streets) during business hours (Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.).
The season ticket renewal deadline in June 15. Payment plans are available.
Group tickets start at $10 each (with a minimum of 15 people).
ABOUT The National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame
Founded in 1947 with early leadership from General Douglas MacArthur, legendary Army coach Earl "Red" Blaik and immortal journalist Grantland Rice, The National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame is a non-profit educational organization that runs programs designed to use the power of amateur football in developing scholarship, citizenship and athletic achievement in young people. With 120 chapters and 12,000 members nationwide, NFF programs include FootballMatters.org, the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta, The William V. Campbell Trophy presented by Fidelity Investments, annual scholarships of more than $1.3 million and a series of initiatives to honor the legends of the past and inspire the leaders of the future. NFF corporate partners include Delta Air Lines, Fidelity Investments, Herff Jones, Hofmann Brands, New York Athletic Club, Pasadena Tournament of Roses, PrimeSport, the Sports Business Journal, Under Armour and VICIS. Learn more at www.footballfoundation.org.
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