 At a luncheon today at the Manchester Grand Hyatt presented by Wells Fargo, the Pacific Life Holiday Bowl inducted a former football player and a coach into the bowl’s Hall of Fame. Inducted for their extraordinary contributions to the history and excitement of “ San Diego’s Bowl Classic” are Colorado State wide receiver Darran Hall, and Kansas State Head Coach, Bill Snyder (right). Darran Hall (below), a San Diego native, was the offensive catalyst for Colorado State’s victory over Missouri in the 1997 Holiday Bowl. As both a wide receiver and special teams standout, Hall tallied 198 all-purpose yards and two touchdowns, including a surprise 14-yard reverse run and a spectacular 85-yard punt return for a touchdown. Hall’s efforts led the Rams to a 35-24 win over the Tigers, and in addition earned him co-offensive MVP honors.  In coaching the Wildcats to three Holiday Bowl victories, Bill Snyder became one of only two coaches with three or more appearances in the Holiday Bowl to have an undefeated record. In 1995, Snyder made his Holiday Bowl debut against Colorado State and prevailed 54-21. He would return to San Diego twice more, winning 24-20 over the Washington Huskies in 1999, and in 2002 his team came from behind to beat the Arizona State Sun Devils 34-27.
The Pacific Life Holiday Bowl, in conjunction with the San Diego Hall of Champions Sports Museum, selects the inductees on a biannual basis. The other 21 members of the Pacific Life Holiday Bowl Hall of Fame include: Bobby Bell Missouri (1983) defensive end, inducted 1995
Robbie Bosco BYU (1984) quarterback, inducted 1997
Clay Brown BYU (1978-80) tight end, inducted 1993
Ty Detmer BYU (1989-91) quarterback, inducted 2001
LaVell Edwards BYU (1978-84, 1989-91, 1993) head coach, inducted 1993
Hayden Fry Iowa (1986-87, 1991) head coach, inducted 1995
Mike Gundy Oklahoma State (1988) quarterback, inducted 2003
Raymont Harris Ohio State (1993) running back, inducted 2003
Craig James SMU (1980) running back, inducted 1997
Brian Kavanagh Kansas State (1995), inducted 2005
Les Land Holiday Bowl’s first executive director (1978), inducted 2003
Phil McConkey Navy (1978) wide receiver, inducted 1993
Jim McMahon BYU (1978, 1980-81) quarterback, inducted 1993
Bart Oates BYU (1980-82) center, inducted 2005
John Reid Holiday Bowl executive director (1980-2000), inducted 2001
Bucky Richardson Texas A&M (1990) quarterback, inducted 2001
Tony Roberts Holiday Bowl national radio announcer (1979-2004), inducted 2005
Barry Sanders Oklahoma State (1988) running back, inducted 1999
Tim Spencer Ohio State (1982) running back, inducted 1995
Leon White BYU (1982-84) linebacker, inducted 2001
Steve Young BYU (1982-83) quarterback, inducted 1995 The Pacific Life Holiday Bowl is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization and has a mission of generating tourism, exposure, economic benefit and civic pride for San Diego and its citizens by producing the nation’s most exciting bowl game and festival of events. The 2007 Pacific Life Holiday Bowl kicks off Thursday, December 27 at 5 p.m. |
