Liberty Bowl To Partner With AutoZone
12/19/2003 12:00:00 AM | Football
Liberty Bowl To Partner With AutoZone
Memphis - Two great Memphis entities, the Liberty Bowl Football Classic and AutoZone, Inc., have signed a five-year agreement, which will make the Memphis-based auto parts retailer the new title sponsor of the Liberty Bowl game beginning in 2004. Effective January 1, 2004, the official name of the bowl game will be the AutoZone Liberty Bowl. The agreement will run through the 2008 game, which will mark the Liberty Bowl's 50th Anniversary.
The official announcement was made by Steve Ehrhart, Executive Director of the Liberty Bowl Football Classic, and Steve Odland, Chairman, President and CEO of AutoZone at a press conference and luncheon at the Peabody Hotel. The event was hosted by the Liberty Bowl Football Classic, Memphis Mayor Dr. Willie Herenton and Shelby County Mayor AC Wharton.
"We want to thank AXA for seven great years as our title sponsor," said Steve Ehrhart, Executive Director of the Liberty Bowl Football Classic. "AXA played a key role in the growth of the Liberty Bowl."
"As we celebrate our 45th anniversary, this is a monumental moment in the history of the Liberty Bowl. We take great pride in forging this partnership with AutoZone," added Ehrhart. " The AutoZone Liberty Bowl will have a significant national role in the future of college post-season football."
"AutoZone is one of the great companies in America and we are very proud to partner with one of the great names in college football, the Liberty Bowl," said Steve Odland, Chairman, President and CEO of AutoZone. "The Liberty Bowl is an important driving force for tourism and economic development in our community. AutoZone's commitment to the Liberty Bowl will help propel it to new levels."
Liberty Bowl and AutoZone officials believe the combined energies of their organizations will enable the Liberty Bowl to take a quantum leap forward as the bowl positions itself for the future in the ever-changing landscape of college football. In addition, AutoZone's corporate and community leadership will strengthen the Liberty Bowl's position in the Memphis and Mid-South community and result in increased local participation and attendance.
AutoZone, a FORTUNE 300 company headquartered in downtown Memphis, will succeed AXA Financial, Inc. as the bowl's title sponsor. AXA has been the bowl's sponsor since 1997. AXA will remain the bowl's title sponsor through the 2003 game.
The Liberty Bowl is college football's seventh oldest bowl game, making it one of the game's most historic and tradition-rich bowls. The Liberty Bowl was founded in Philadelphia in 1959. After four more years in Philadelphia, the Liberty Bowl moved to Atlantic City in 1964. The bowl moved to is current home of Memphis in 1965.
Many of college football's greatest players, coaches and teams have participated in this great American tradition. The list of players and coaches reads like a Who's Who: Heisman Trophy winners Terry Baker, Ernie Davis, Doug Flutie and Bo Jackson. More recently stars such as Donovan McNabb and Dave Ragone have played in the Liberty Bowl. The great coaches include Paul "Bear" Bryant, Lou Holtz, Vince Dooley and LaVell Edwards.
AutoZone is the nation's leading auto parts retailer. AutoZone opened its first store in Forrest City, Arkansas in 1979. Today, AutoZone has more than 3,200 stores in 48 states plus the District of Columbia in the U.S. and 50 stores in Mexico.
The 2003 AXA Liberty Bowl will be played Wednesday, December 31 at 2:30 pm and will be televised live by ESPN.
For more information about the Liberty Bowl Football Classic, please visit www.libertybowl.org . For more information about AutoZone, Inc., please visit www.autozone.com.