Former Cowboys stars Troy Aikman and Jay Novacek and Texas Tech All-American Dave Parks were among the 13 players who will be inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in December.

The announcement was made Thursday in New York during a televised news conference on ESPNews.

AP

Former UCLA quarterback Troy Aikman warms up in Tokyo for the Japan Bowl on Jan. 13, 1989.

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Aikman started his college career at Oklahoma but transferred to UCLA. He played for the Bruins in 1987 and '88 and led the program to the 1989 Cotton Bowl.

Aikman won the Davey O'Brien Award for being the nation's top quarterback in 1988 and finished his UCLA career 20-4 as a starter.

"It's an honor to be included in such an exclusive group of players and coaches who have shaped the great tradition that college football enjoys," Aikman said. "College football has meant so much to the sporting history of our country, and it means a lot to me personally."

Novacek was a two-sport star at Wyoming. He played football and ran track from 1982 to '84. Novacek had 83 catches for 1,536 yards and 10 touchdowns in his career.

Aikman and Novacek played together for the Cowboys and helped them win three Super Bowls in the '90s.

"This isn't something that you expect from a skinny tight end on a Wyoming team that ran the Wishbone offense," Novacek said, "but it is a great honor and very meaningful. I am proud to be going in with my teammate and friend, Troy Aikman."

Parks was one of the best receivers in Tech history. The Abilene native had 80 catches in his career, including a school-record 32 in 1962 and '63, and set numerous game receiving records. Parks also stood out on defense and was the school's first player to be named to The Associated Press All-America team.

The National Football Foundation, which runs the College Football Hall of Fame, will celebrate the class during a black-tie dinner ceremony Dec. 9 at New York's Waldorf-Astoria. The induction ceremony in South Bend, Ind., will be summer 2009.

COACHES

•John Cooper, 192-84-6 (.691) – Tulsa (1977-84), Arizona State (1985-87), Ohio State (1988- 2000)

•Lou Holtz, 249-132-7 (.651) – William & Mary (1969-71), North Carolina State (1972-75), Arkansas (1977-83), Minnesota (1984-85), Notre Dame (1986-96), South Carolina (1999-2004)