Oaklawn Now Presenting Sponsor, Future Host of Broyles Award

(Pictured above, from left to right: Jeff Hildebrand, David Bazzel, Molly Harrell, Betsy Broyles Arnold and Wayne Smith / Photo by Ryan Parker)

Executive Director of The Broyles Foundation and granddaughter of Frank and Barbara Broyles, Molly Harrell, announced on Sept. 11 that Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort would be the presenting sponsor for the 2023 Broyles Award, as well as the future host for the annual ceremony.

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

“This partnership with Oaklawn brings together two of Arkansas’ most respected and iconic sports brands,” Harrell said. “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.”

Harrell said she remembers the first Broyles Award Ceremony that took place in Little Rock when she was eight years old.

“I still have framed autographs from that first group of finalists hanging on the wall in our office. They wished me good luck and best wishes. Nearly 28 years ago, I don’t think any of us could have imagined that I’d be standing here today as the executive director of the award with the great privilege and responsibility to honor my grandpa,” Harrell said.

Harrell also said that her grandfather had two main passions in his life, football and Alzheimer’s Disease care. With the foundation as well as the award, she said that she is gracious to be able to keep his passions alive.

Photo by Ryan Parker

Betsy Broyles Arnold, CEO of The Broyles Foundation, explained that the Broyles family has long had ties to Hot Springs. Dating back to the late fifties and early sixties.

“Today is a very special day. My dad used to take the football team to spend the night in Hot Springs every Friday night before every Little Rock game. My dad and I started this foundation because we wanted to help families dealing with Alzheimer’s Disease. We understand how you care for this disease, and it was my dad’s dream to help families so they wouldn’t struggle the way that we did,” Broyles Arnold said. “We are so excited for this partnership because it not only allows us to continue to honor college football’s top assistant coaches, but it also allows us to continue serving families dealing with Alzheimer’s Disease. I know my dad is up there today about the possibilities that this sponsorship brings.”

Oaklawn General Manager Wayne Smith said that the association with the Broyles Award is a natural fit.

“Since 1996, the Broyles Award has honored the best college football coaches for excellence, performance and leadership,” Smith said. “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 an awards banquet the following day.

Since the College Football Playoff will 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 said that the date change will give the coaches and families more of an opportunity to enjoy not only Oaklawn, but all of Hot Springs.

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

This year’s award ceremony and luncheon will take place on Tuesday, Dec. 5 at the Statehouse Convention Center in Little Rock. For more information about the Broyles Foundation, click here. To learn more about the Broyles Award, visit its website.