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Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic

1998 HALL OF FAME

J. Curtis Sanford

  • Position Founder
  • Hometown Tyler, Texas
  • Classic Memories Dallas Oil Man & Sports Promoter Conceived Idea at 1936 Rose Bowl Received Copyright to the Cotton Bowl Name in January, 1936 Urged City Leaders to Rename Fair Park Stadium to The Cotton Bowl Inaugural Matchup Featured TCU & Marquette on January 1, 1937 Personally Underwrote First Four Cotton Bowl Games, 1937-1940 Guiding Force in Formation of CBAA

Biography

As he sat among the fans watching SMU take on Stanford in the 1936 Rose Bowl, J. Curtis Sanford asked the question, "Why can't Dallas have a game like this?" Sanford returned home, rolled up his sleeves and got to work creating a New Year's Day Classic of his own. Advisers insisted his plan would never work. Fortunately, Sanford refused to listen. This man of vision pursued his dream with an intense passion and financed the first four games from his own pocket. Thanks to Sanford's foresight and determination, the Cotton Bowl Classic found a home and continues to thrive as one of college football's most exciting and storied traditions.