Big Sky Conference

Dickenson among six former Big Sky players on HOF ballot

on

BIG SKY CONFERENCE PRESS RELEASE

The National Football Foundation (NFF) & College Hall of Fame announced today the names on the 2016 ballot for induction into the College Football Hall of Fame, including 76 players and five coaches from the Football Bowl Subdivision and 92 players and 27 coaches from the divisional ranks.

Former Walter Payton Trophy award winners Dave Dickenson, of Montana, and Archie Amerson, of Northern Arizona, lead the six Big Sky alums eligible for the honors.

Dickenson, the 1995 Walter Payton Trophy winner, led the Grizzlies to a national championship in 1995, and was voted as the Big Sky Conference’s Greatest Male Athlete, during the league’s 50th anniversary celebration.

During his time in Missoula, Dickenson won multiple awards, including three consecutive Big Sky Offensive MVP awards. He was also a 1995 NFF National Scholar-Athlete.

Amerson, who won the 1996 Walter Payton Trophy, rushed for 3,196 yards in two seasons in Flagstaff. He helped lead the Lumberjacks to their first-ever FCS playoff berth.

The NFF is continuing with its electronic voting system for balloting that it unveiled last year. The ballot was emailed this week 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 deliberate and select the class.

Several other Big Sky alums were named to the ballot, with most playing notable roles on championship teams.

Idaho State punter Case deBruijn, who punted for the Bengals’ 1981 national title team, twice led the nation in punting (1980-81). He was the nation’s second-best punter twice (1978-79).

Former Bengals wide receiver Eddie Bell also made the ballot, after earning All-American honors in 1969. Bell was a two-time All-Big Sky receiver, and registered 3,341 all-purpose yards in Pocatello.

Montana State running back Don Hass is on the ballot, after he was a two-time all-Big Sky selection for the Bobcats (1966-67). Hass rushed for 1,460 yards in a season, while playing with longtime college and NFL coach, Dennis Erickson. Montana State won the Big Sky in 1966 and 1967.

Also, former Weber State fullback Lee White represents the Wildcats on the ballot, as he was named both an All-American and All-Big Sky in 1967. Playing for coach Sark Arslanian, White helped the Wildcats to a runner-up finish in the Big Sky in 1967, while also serving as the league’s scoring champion.

The announcement of the 2017 Class will be made Friday, Jan. 6, 2017, in Tampa, Fla. The city is serving as the host for the CFP National Championship, which will be played Jan. 9 at Raymond James Stadium.

The 2017 class will be inducted at the 60th NFF Annual Awards Dinner Dec. 5, 2017, at the landmark Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York City. The inductees will be permanently enshrined at the new College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta later that December and honored on the field during the 13th Annual National Hall of Fame Salute during the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl.

About Press Release

Recommended for you