Why college football’s iconic national championship trophy is in Fort Worth
College football’s national championship trophy is in Fort Worth this weekend. TCU would love for it to return permanently by the end of the season.
For now, though, Horned Frog fans will have an opportunity to get an up-close view of the American Football Coaches Association Trophy presented by Amway before Saturday’s TCU-Iowa State game. The trophy will be in Frog Alley from 9:30 a.m. to noon, and fans will be able to take a socially distanced photo.
Former TCU greats Josh Boyce and David Hawthorne will be on hand as well.
Why is the trophy making a stop in Fort Worth? Well, TCU coach Gary Patterson is serving as the AFCA’s president this year.
“Coach Patterson has kindly invited us to be here,” said John Kloosterman, Amway brand manager. “The Waterford crystal football is one of the most iconic trophies in the world. It’s second only to the Stanley Cup as far as recognition.”
The crystal football weighs eight pounds and is valued between $30,000 and $35,000. Including the base, the trophy stands more than four feet tall and weighs 45 pounds.
A notable fact about the trophy is that it’s awarded to the national championship-winning coach, who then traditionally donates it to the university. Additionally, Waterford craftsmen make each year’s football slightly different so it is never duplicated from previous seasons.
Alabama has the most crystal footballs, winning six Coaches’ Trophies since 1986. Florida, Miami and Nebraska have each won three.
Amway is in its seventh year as the title sponsor.
“There are 192 million people in the U.S. who identify as college football fans. That’s roughly half the population,” Kloosterman said. “Amway, as the independent business owner company, we sponsor people in all kinds of arenas that allow them to become the entrepreneurs they’ve always wanted to be.
“So this is our way of getting out in the public and letting them see something and be a part of a real winning team like a national championship team.”
Kickoff is set for 12:30 p.m. at Amon G. Carter Stadium. Approximately 12,000 fans are expected to attend the game in the 46,000-seat stadium due to COVID-19 protocols.
This story was originally published September 25, 2020 at 4:50 PM.
