For Immediate Release

Broyles Foundation announces Oaklawn Hot Springs as presenting sponsor for 2023 Broyles Award and future host for the annual ceremony

Little Rock, AR (September 11, 2023) – The Broyles Foundation, which presents the annual Frank Broyles Award to college football’s top assistant coach, announced today that Oaklawn Hot Springs will be the award’s presenting sponsor for 2023.

Additionally, Oaklawn will host the award ceremony at its hotel and event center following the 2024 college football season and for many years to follow.

“This partnership with Oaklawn brings together two of Arkansas’ most respected and iconic sports brands,” said Molly Harrell, executive director of the Broyles Foundation and Coach Broyles’ granddaughter. “While Little Rock has been a most gracious host to our award ceremony for what will be 28 years, we are excited to introduce these top assistant coaches to the world-class amenities of Oaklawn and beautiful Hot Springs.”

Oaklawn General Manager Wayne Smith calls the association with the Broyles Award a natural fit.

“Since 1996, the Broyles Award has honored the best assistant football coaches in college for excellence, performance and leadership,” said Smith. “We are excited to put the brand strength and reputation of Oaklawn Hot Springs behind the Broyles Award for the long-term and to, more importantly, help enhance the mission of the Broyles Foundation in assisting families dealing with Alzheimer’s Disease.”

Since its inception, 43 winners or finalists of the Broyles Award have become college or NFL head coaches and eight of those have won national head coach of the year honors.

Each year, the Broyles Award finalists and their families attend a dinner the night before the ceremony and then the awards banquet the following day.

With the College Football Playoff to expand to 12 teams following the 2024 season, the presentation of the Broyles Award will likely shift its regular schedule in December to late January or early February of 2025.

Smith says the date change will give the coaches and families more of an opportunity to enjoy Oaklawn and Hot Springs.

“We will be in the midst of an energizing and exciting Thoroughbred racing season here at Oaklawn and the shift in the schedule means the coaches and their families can spend more time benefitting from our resort, including our Astral Spa, and all that beautiful Hot Springs National Park has to offer,” Smith said. “Our city will roll out the red carpet.”

The 2023 Broyles Award ceremony and luncheon will be held at Little Rock’s Statehouse Convention Center on Tuesday, December 5.

Contacts:

Molly Harrell

Broyles Foundation Executive Director

[email protected]

479-313-4195

Chris Ho 

Oaklawn Vice President of Marketing
[email protected]
501-690-4669

Proceeds from the Broyles Award support the mission of the Broyles Foundation; to provide a game plan for Alzheimer’s caregivers through education, support, and resources all at no cost to families. The Broyles Foundation can be followed on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

About the Broyles Award

The Broyles Award was created in 1996 recognizing Coach Frank Broyles’ legacy of selecting and developing great assistants during his hall of fame career at Arkansas. You can follow the Broyles Award on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.