A reception and dinner for five finalists of the Broyles Award, which honors college football's top assistant coach, was held Dec. 5 at the Clinton Presidential Center. The award is named for former University of Arkansas football Coach and Athletic Director Frank Broyles because he is said to have produced many successful assistant coaches.
The finalists were the University of Alabama's Jeremy Pruitt, Clemson University's Brent Venables, University of Colorado's Jim Leavitt, University of Michigan's Don Brown and the University of Pittsburgh's Matt Canada.
The large bronze award depicting a coach and his assistant was the centerpiece of a reception, where finalists and guests enjoyed appetizers and drinks before a dinner of grilled tenderloin of beef with Kent Walker au gratin potatoes and roasted asparagus. Dinner was preceded by a prayer by former Razorbacks Coach Ken Hatfield.
"If you're an assistant coach here tonight, you're very special, because there are 1,200 or 1,300 assistant coaches that are eligible to win this award, and the five that are here tonight are outstanding. It's very rare to get here, very tough to get here, you are the cream of the crop," said David Bazzel, master of ceremonies.
New this year is a partnership with the Frank and Barbara Broyles Foundation, which supports those who care for a family member with Alzheimer's disease. The foundation helped put on the award ceremony and received proceeds from the event.
"We get to support not only Coach Broyles and these great assistants, but we get to help a great cause," said Bazzel.
Broyles' daughter, Betsy Broyles Arnold, and his granddaughter, Molly Broyles Gay, CEO and vice president of the foundation, spoke about the nonprofit and expressed gratitude for the support.
Venables received the 21st Broyles Award at a sold-out luncheon held at the Little Rock Marriott the following day.
-- Story and photos by Cary Jenkins
High Profile on 12/11/2016