Switzer, Jackson Set For Enshrinement

Aug. 9, 2002

Norman, Okla. - Oklahoma greats Barry Switzer and Keith Jackson are set for induction into the College Football Hall of Fame. Festivities began Friday, but will be in full swing Saturday. The ceremonies take place in South Bend, Ind.

Saturday's events feature FanFest and the Enshrinement Reception and Banquet. Beginning at 10 a.m., the Hall of Fame and its Gridiron Plaza open to display the splendor and enjoyment of college football history. FanFest features a public press conference, Youth Clinic, Enshrinee Flag Football Game, Autograph Session and interactive games.

Open to the public and media, the Enshrinee Press Conference, which runs from 10 a.m., until 12 p.m., gives everyone an opportunity to hear from all of the Hall of Famers on what it means to be in the College Football Hall of Fame. Once all of the questions are taken from the media, it is the fans' turn to ask questions of their favorite Hall of Famer.

Following the press conference, the Hall of Famers hit the Gridiron Plaza for the Youth Clinic, which gives youngsters the opportunity to receive instruction from college football legends. Children will learn the techniques of passing, blocking, receiving and running in three, 20-minute periods.

After the Youth Clinic, it is time for the Hall of Famers to practice what they preach at the Enshrinement Flag Football Game. Each five-man team, starting at the 20-yard line, has one possession per quarter. Ten yards are needed for a first down. An offensive possession ends when a team fails to get a first down, is intercepted or scores.

The final FanFest Event is the Enshrinee Autograph session. The weekend finale, the Enshrinement Reception, Banquet, Ceremony and Post-Banquet Reception, begins at 6 p.m. with a reception and silent auction where many pieces of autographed sports memorabilia and other items will be up for sale. It is followed by the Banquet and Ceremony to officially enshrine all of the members of the Class of 2002. The weekend concludes with the Post-Banquet Reception for Reception and Banquet patrons at The Vine adjacent to the Hall of Fame.

Biographies on Switzer and Jackson follow ...

Coach Barry Switzer University of Oklahoma 1973-88 157-29-4

In 1966, Barry Switzer came to Oklahoma as an offensive line coach and the following year was named offensive coordinator. In 1970, he convinced Coach Chuck Fairbanks to switch to the wishbone offense. This switch made way for Oklahoma's second football dynasty and the rest is history.

When Coach Switzer took over the reins in 1973, he worked the wishbone to perfection, and over the next 16 years, he became Oklahoma's all-time winningest coach. He posted a 157-29-4 record for a remarkable .837 winning percentage, which ranks fourth best in NCAA Division I-A history. His Sooner teams won three national championships (1974-75, 1985), 12 Big-8 Conference championships, and won eight of 13 bowl appearances. Averaging 32.1 points per game and holding their opponents to 12.8 points per game, the Sooners ran off 28 straight victories, and 37 without a defeat.

In 1994, Switzer was hired as the head coach of the Dallas Cowboys, leading them to the Super Bowl XXX championship. He resigned prior to the 1998 season, and now frequently contributes his time and energy to many worthwhile causes which benefit the Special Olympics, the Society to Prevent Blindness, the Oklahoma Chamber of Commerce, and scholarship programs for minority students.

Keith Jackson University of Oklahoma Tight End 1984-87

In Keith Jackson's four years, the Oklahoma Sooners utilized a run-oriented offense coupled with a strategic passing attack to bowl over opponents, posting a remarkable 42-5-1 record. An integral component of the Sooner offense as a blocker and prime receiver, Jackson led the Sooners to the National Championship in 1985.

A three-time All-Big 8 selection, Jackson averaged 28.8 yards per reception as a junior and received unanimous All-America recognition. As a senior, he matched his previous year's output, averaging 27.5 yards per catch and again was a unanimous All-America selection. At the conclusion of his career, Jackson was the school's leading receiver as a tight end, with 1,470 yards on 62 receptions for a career average of 23.7 yards per catch.

Academically, Jackson was a four-time Academic All-Conference selection and became the first Sooner to win an NCAA Top Six Award.

Following college, Jackson played professionally for the Philadelphia Eagles, Miami Dolphins, and on the Super Bowl Champion Green Bay Packers.

University of Oklahoma Athletics

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