Goodyear Big Play Luncheon caps a week of festivities

 

One of the great traditions of the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic is the annual Big Play Luncheon, when the full squads of both participating teams come together the day before the game to dine and recognize achievements.
   With Brad Sham, the voice of the Dallas Cowboys, serving as master of ceremonies, the Big Play Luncheon was again a great chance to rub shoulders with some of the best in college football and take home a souvenir or two.
   ESPN personalities Kirk Herbstreit and Chris Fowler gave a presentation and coaches and student athletes from both teams were honored.

Paul Lang was Michigan State's winner of the Dan S. Petty Scholar-Athlete Award. Photo by Ian Halperin/CBAA

Ryan Kelly was Alabama's winner of the Dan S. Petty Scholar-Athlete Award. Photo by Ian Halperin/.CBAA

Michigan State quarterback Connor Cook prepares to throw a pass to one of the door prize winners. Not only did the winners get to keep the ball, they won a trip on a Goodyear Blimp. Photo by Ian Halperin/CBAA

Michigan State coach Mark Dantonio. Photo by Ian Halperin/CBAA

Photo by Ian Halperin/CBAA

Alabama coach Nick Saban. Photo by Ian Halperin/CBAA

Alabama quarterback Jake Coker tosses a ball to a door prize winner. Photo by Ian Halperin/CBAA

ESPN's Chris Fowler and Kirk Herbstreit discuss the upcoming game. Photo by Ian Halperin/CBAA

Michigan State coach Mark Dantonio with children's art contest age group winner Violet Dominguez, 7. Entries for the art contest were laminated and served as colorful placemats for the luncheon. Photo by Ian Halperin/CBAA

Alabama coach Nick Saban with children's art contest age group winner Olivia Zhang, 11. Photo by Ian Halperin/CBAA

Goodyear executive Seth Klugherz with children's art contest age group winner Keynes Brendan Wright, 8. Photo by Ian Halperin/CBAA

Photo by Ian Halperin/CBAA