A highly unusual, one-of-one piece of college football history—and one that appears to come from inside the decision-making process itself.
This is a hand-painted commemorative football from 1992, originally owned by former NCAA President Cedric Dempsey and acquired from his estate. Unlike traditional game balls, this piece reflects a conceptual or selection-era artifact, likely tied to Fiesta Bowl discussions or matchup considerations.
This football does not correspond to a specific official game, and the records shown do not align with a real matchup.
Instead, it is best understood as:
A handcrafted, conceptual or internal-use football—possibly representing a Fiesta Bowl matchup scenario, ranking discussion, or selection-era artifact involving Arizona, Miami, and Washington.
Given Cedric Dempsey’s leadership role in both the NCAA and Arizona athletics, this piece likely sat closer to the administrative and strategic side of college football rather than the field itself.
This is not just memorabilia—it’s behind-the-scenes history.
It captures:
Perfect for:
Pieces like this rarely surface—especially those tied to NCAA leadership and the inner workings of the game.
This is not just a football.
It’s a moment of possibility, preserved.