The College Football Hall of Fame is coming to Atlanta

The National Football Foundation (NFF) announced yesterday its board of directors has accepted a plan to relocate the College Football Hall of Fame, currently located in South Bend, Ind., to the Centennial Olympic Park area in Atlanta, Ga. The move will create a new state-of-the art 50,000 square foot interactive facility steps from the World of Coca-Cola, Georgia Aquarium, CNN Center, Children's Museum of Atlanta, Philips Arena, Georgia Dome, and the future Center for Civil & Human Rights."An impressive group from Atlanta has pulled together the financial resources and an extremely compelling plan that will help us build a new platform for the future," said NFF Chairman Archie Manning. "Accepting their plan will create a new high-tech facility that will showcase the legends of our sport and build on the momentum and interest that we have been able to generate in South Bend."The current timeline calls for the new $50 million facility to open in the fall of 2012. Through a new partnership between the NFF and the Chick-fil-A Bowl, once constructed, the Hall will be operated locally by the Chick-fil-A Bowl. This will provide a built-in experienced management structure and a direct tie to a 42-year college football tradition in Atlanta with strong connections to the community. The Chick-fil-A Bowl and its corporate partner, Chick-fil-A, have collectively contributed $10 million for the new College Football Hall of Fame facility.

I can’t think of a better place for it. College football is taken so seriously down in the south and Atlanta is a melting pot of fans from all over the country. Also with the tourism that comes to Atlanta, it is a no brainier! Nice work Georgia Sports Council and everyone else involved in bringing this to the ATL!