Alvarez Named to 2011 College Football Hall of Fame Ballot
Tuesday, March 8, 2011 | Football
Former Gator wide receiver Carlos Alvarez (1969-71) was named to the 2011 College Football Hall of Fame Ballot, as announced by the National Football Foundation on Monday.
"It's an enormous honor to just be on the ballot when you think that more than 4.79 million people have played college football," said NFF President & CEO Steven J. Hatchell. "The Hall's requirement of being a First Team All-American creates a much smaller pool of only 1,900 individuals who are even eligible to be on the ballot, so being in today's group of 79 names means an individual is truly among the greatest to ever have played the game, and we are proud to announce their names today."
It took over 30 years to break the career receptions mark Alvarez set in 1971 (172), which was also a Southeastern Conference record. He continues to hold the records for most receptions in a season with 88 and most receptions in a game with 15. The Cuban refugee, who came to the United States in 1960, was a Consensus All-American in 1969 and the youngest player to ever be named to the American Football Coaches Association All America team.
Alvarez was named to Florida's Team of the Century in 1999 and made more All-America teams as a sophomore than any player since Doak Walker in 1947. The wide receiver was impressive off the field as well, as Alvarez was named a three-time Academic All-American during his time in the Orange and Blue, while also being inducted into the Academic All-American Hall of Fame in 1989.
To be eligible for the ballot, players must have been named a First Team All-America by a major/national selector as recognized and utilized by the NCAA for their consensus All-America teams; played their last year of intercollegiate football at least ten years prior; played within the last 50 years and cannot be currently playing professional football. Coaches must have coached a minimum of 10 years and 100 games as a head coach; won at least 60% of their games; and be retired from coaching for at least three years. If a coach is retired and over the age of 70, there is no waiting period). If he is over the age of 75, he is eligible as an active coach. In both cases, the candidate's post-football record as a citizen may also be weighed.
The 2011 Divisional College Football Hall of Fame Class will be inducted and enshrined simultaneously July 15-16 in South Bend, Ind., joining the 2010 Football Bowl Subdivision Hall of Fame Class, which was inducted this past December, at their enshrinement.
Former Gators in the College Football Hall of Fame
| Name | Position | Years Total | Inducted |
| Charlie Bachman | Coach | 1919-1953 | 1978 |
| Doug Dickey | Coach | 1964-1978 | 2003 |
| Ray Graves | Coach | 1960-1969 | 1990 |
| Wilber Marshall | Linebacker | 1980-1983 | 2008 |
| Emmitt Smith | Running Back | 1987-1989 | 2006 |
| Steve Spurrier | Quarterback | 1964-1966 | 1986 |
| Dale Van Sickel | End | 1927-1929 | 1975 |
| Jack Youngblood | Defensive End | 1968-1970 | 1992 |
