Old Town native Dick MacPherson, a former head football coach at the University of Massachusetts and Syracuse University as well as with the New England Patriots of the National Football League, is one of 75 players and eight coaches on the 2007 Football Bowl Subdivision Ballot for induction into the College Football Hall of Fame.

The Hall of Fame Class will be announced May 9, and honorees will be inducted at The National Football Foundation’s 50th Awards Dinner on Dec. 4 at the Waldorf-Astoria in New York City. They will be officially enshrined at the College Football Hall of Fame in South Bend, Ind., during the summer of 2008.

MacPherson coached at Massachusetts from 1971 to 1977 and guided the Minutemen to four conference titles in seven years.

He then became an assistant coach with the Cleveland Browns until becoming head coach at Syracuse from 1981 to 1990. MacPherson was named national coach of the year in 1987 while leading the Orangemen to an 11-0-1 record and a tie against Auburn in the Sugar Bowl.

He ranks third all-time at Syracuse in most wins (66) and seasons coached (10). His Syracuse teams made six bowl game appearances during his tenure, compiling a 4-1-1 record.

To be eligible for the ballot, players must have been named a first-team All-America; played their last year of intercollegiate football at least 10 years ago; 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 percent of their games; and be retired from coaching or over the age of 75. In both cases, the candidate’s post-football record as a citizen may also be weighed.