Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium at the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio will continue to host the state’s high school football championships. On Wednesday, during a news conference at the Pro Football Hall of Fame, the Ohio High School Athletic Association announced its was extending its agreement with the HOF through the 2023 season.
We have partnered with @OHSAASports on a three-year agreement to host the state football championships in Canton. The games, across Ohio’s seven divisions, will be played at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium beginning in 2021.
— Pro Football Hall of Fame (@ProFootballHOF) June 16, 2021
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“We want a wow factor for our kids,” said OHSAA Executive Director Doug Ute. “They get off a bus and say, ‘Wow, this is something special.’ This place certainly gives us that.”
Ute added, “We are grateful to the Hall of Fame for their partnership, and we look forward to collaborating with the Hall year-round.”
“The Hall of Fame prides itself in treating OHSAA football teams and their fans the same way we treat the NFL teams and their fans,” Pro Football Hall of Fame Chief Administrative Officer Steve Strawbridge said. “We give them a first-class experience while they are here. We take the teams through the museum and promote the values of the game.”
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All seven OHSAA championship games were played in Canton from 2017-2019. Last year’s title games were moved away from Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium due to the coronavirus pandemic.
From 1998 through 2013, Canton and Massillon served as co-hosts for the state championships.
While an official schedule hasn’t been announced, this year’s championship games will be played December 2-5.
