California High School Football Hall of Fame Announces Selection of Four New Award Winners

California High School Football Hall of Fame Announces Selection of Four New Award Winners

The award winners will be celebrated along with the players and coaches as part of the Class of 2024 on November 30 at the Rose Bowl Stadium

 

PASADENA, Calif. – The California High School Football Hall of Fame, located at the historic Rose Bowl Stadium, is thrilled to announce the selection of four legendary figures into its prestigious Hall of Fame as the award winners for the Class of 2024 – Ronnie Lott, Rob Wigod, James Washington, and Joe Davidson. These individuals have made extraordinary contributions to high school football in California, inspiring generations of interscholastic athletes with their talent, leadership, and commitment to excellence.  

The award winners will be celebrated on November 30 at the Rose Bowl Stadium during the football game between UCLA and Fresno State. 

The 2024 awardees represent diverse backgrounds and positions, but each share an unwavering dedication to the growth of the sport and a legacy that continues to impact California high school football. 

Classes and Award Winners are elected every other year by a state-wide committee representing all ten CIF state sections after a public nomination period.  The next class will be open for nomination and voting in 2026.

The project, which was established and opened in 2023 as a result of two leadership pledges to the Foundation from prominent philanthropists and business leaders Brian Panish and Mickey Segal, is located at the Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena.  Philanthropist and ardent Rose Bowl Legacy Foundation supporter Brian Kennedy also provided a key commitment to elevate the project’s impact.

The establishment of the California High School Football Hall of Fame, a Legacy Foundation project, was opened in partnership with the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF), the National Football Foundation (NFF), the Pro Football Hall of Fame, and the Rose Bowl Stadium.  The project honors the history, quality, and overall impact of players, coaches, and integral moments that have shaped the landscape of high school football in the state.  The Hall of Fame is open to all ticket holders on major event days, through the Stadium Tour program, and on special requests.  

For more information on the California High School Football Hall of Fame, visitwww.CAhighschoolfootballHOF.com or email Legacy@rosebowlstadium.com.

GOLDEN STATE AWARD – RONNIE LOTT

The Golden State Award is the highest individual award given by the California High School Football Hall of Fame and recognizes an outstanding Californian who has contributed significantly to the sport of football in our country.

A graduate of Eisenhower High School in Rialto (1976), Ronnie Lott’s continued volunteer contributions across the State of California and nationally have led key dialogues for the protection and growth of the game of football.  As a star at the University of Southern California, Lott was a National Champion (1978) and team Captain while being named a Unanimous All-American.  Lott’s career in the National Football League earned him Hall of Fame honors in Canton, Ohio, as a four-time Super Bowl Champion and a ten-time Pro Bowl performer.  Lott is the Founder of the Lott Impact Trophy, which honors college football’s defensive best in character and performance, and volunteers his time with countless nonprofit organizations throughout the country including with the Advisory Board of the Rose Bowl Institute.  

The prior winner of the Golden State Award in its inaugural year was former NFL Commissioner, Pete Rozelle.

CHAMPION OF SUCCESS AWARD – ROB WIGOD

The Champion of Success Award is an individual or organizational award given by the California High School Football Hall of Fame that acknowledges an administrator, teacher, volunteer, official, community member or citizen who has demonstrated a commitment to the development, mentorship, and advancement of youth and community sports in California, most notably through football.

 

Rob Wigod was a 23-year member of the CIF Southern Section’s leadership team, serving as Assistant Commissioner (2000-2011) and Commissioner (2011-23) for the State’s largest section for interscholastic sports.  In addition to spending 17 years as a teacher, coach, and administrator, Wigod’s expertise and leadership charted growth across not just the Southern Section but the entire state for high school football.  He has been the Event Director of the CIF State Football Championships and led the establishment of a competitive equity playoff system for all team sports in the CIF.  Wigod also oversaw the Southern Section’s 100th Anniversary celebration and added new championship sports to the Section, especially for girls.  This included Wrestling, Lacrosse, Cheer, Beach Volleyball and Flag Football.  He is a Hall of Fame member for Baseball at Los Alamitos High School.  

The prior winner of the Champion of Success Award in its inaugural year was Dean Crowley, former Commissioner of the CIF Southern Section.

TERRY DONAHUE LEADERSHIP AWARD – JAMES WASHINGTON

Named after the Hall of Fame record-holding coach from UCLA, the Terry Donahue Leadership Award is an individual award given by the California High School Football Hall of Fame that acknowledges and celebrates exemplary leadership by a California native who has a significant and positive impact on advancing the game of football through youth and communities.

A two-time Super Bowl Champion with the Dallas Cowboys and eight-year NFL veteran, James Washington understands the importance of giving back. A master at utilizing his voice and career for the positive influence of others, Washington is the Founder of Shelter 37, Inc., a non-profit that provides quality after-school enrichment and life skills programs in Southern California.  He is also the President of the NFL Alumni Association chapter for Southern California and spends time as a lead volunteer for the annual Terry Donahue Memorial California Showcase amongst countless other charitable causes.  Washington is currently the President of the Rose Bowl Institute, a position that the former UCLA graduate, All-American Safety, and two-time Rose Bowl Game® champion has held since 2023.   

The prior winner of the Terry Donahue Leadership Award was Pete Saco, former Commissioner of the CIF San Joaquin Section.  

IMPACT IN SPORTS JOURNALISM AWARD – JOE DAVIDSON

The Impact in Sports Journalism Award is an individual or organizational award given by the California High School Football Hall of Fame that acknowledges those who utilize the reach and positive influence of journalistic influence to promote and advance the sport of football in the State of California, particularly on the high school level.

A 14-time award winner from the California Prep Sports Writer Association, Joe Davidson has been covering high school football and sports for the Sacramento Bee since 1988.  His coverage has not just included prep, but college, Sacramento Kings Basketball, and Features as well. Davidson is a member of the California Coaches Association Hall of Fame and was honored with the CIF’s Distinguished Service Award in 2021.  

The prior winner of the Impact in Sports Journalism Award was Eric Sondheimer of the Los Angeles Times.