Dec. 7, 1999

Jerry Claiborne will receive one of college football's highest awards tonight when he is inducted into the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame in the grand ballroom of the Waldorf-Astoria hotel in New York City.

But the lavish ceremonies will have a somber note for Claiborne that will make this one of the more emotional inductions in the 42-year history of the awards dinner.

Claiborne, 71, was found to have Alzheimer's disease a year ago at Johns Hopkins Hospital shortly after he returned from a late fall trip through New England.

Now his wife, Faye, and son, Jonathan, aren't sure if Claiborne really understands exactly what will be happening tonight on what should be the crowning moment of a 28-year coaching run at Virginia Tech, Maryland and Kentucky from 1961 to 1989.

For more on Claiborne and tonight's induction, visit the Baltimore Sun for today's story written by Bill Free.