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AutoZone Liberty Bowl Makes Annual Donation toSt. Jude Children's Research Hospital
College Football Playoff Foundation's Support of St. Jude Teachers Helps Bowl Near $6 Million Mark
The AutoZone Liberty Bowl and the College Football Playoff Foundation presented a check in the amount of $300,338.42 to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, highlighting the Bowl’s year-round support of St. Jude. This is the fourth consecutive year the annual donation has exceeded $300,000. The $300.338.42 brings the collective support by the AutoZone Liberty Bowl and the CFP Foundation to nearly $6 million for St. Jude teachers.
The AutoZone Liberty Bowl has partnered with St. Jude Children’s Hospital for many decades. The Bowl features the St. Jude message in its highly rated national telecast on ESPN.
Rebecca Dinstuhl, 2024 President of the AutoZone Liberty Bowl:
“On behalf of all the members and volunteers of the AutoZone Liberty Bowl, we are proud to continue our long-time support of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital with our annual donation.”
Steve Ehrhart, Executive Director of the AutoZone Liberty Bowl:
“Danny Thomas, the founder of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, inspired the AutoZone Liberty Bowl to work hand-in-hand with St. Jude in its mission of taking care of the kids. All of our members and volunteers have worked very hard throughout the year to make this contribution and to showcase St. Jude.”
About the AutoZone Liberty Bowl:
The 66th AutoZone Liberty Bowl will be played on Friday, December 27, 2024 at 6:00 P.M. CST and will be televised nationally on ESPN. The game will feature teams from the SEC and Big 12 Conference.
ST. JUDE CHILDREN'S RESEARCH HOSPITAL
In 2024, the AutoZone Liberty Bowl will again support St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. This is a partnership that brings together a college football tradition and an internationally recognized biomedical research center dedicated to finding cures for catastrophic diseases in children.
The AutoZone Liberty Bowl Football Classic will increase awareness of the lifesaving work performed at St. Jude for cancer-stricken children by providing international exposure.
Each year, players and coaches from both teams visit St. Jude Children's Research Hospital to help spread holiday cheer and give encouragement to St. Jude patients.
About St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
Founded in 1962 by performer and philanthropist Danny Thomas, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital is leading the way the world understands, treats and defeats childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases. As the first comprehensive cancer center dedicated solely to children, St. Jude has had a significant impact on the lives of children with cancer across the globe. In fact, doctors and researchers at St. Jude have helped increase the overall survival rate for childhood cancers from less than 20% when St. Jude opened, to more than 80% today.One way St. Jude has taken major steps to improve survival rates everywhere is by openly sharing its research and discoveries with scientists around the world. Through the creation of resources such as St. Jude Cloud and St. Jude Cure4Kids each child saved at St. Jude means even more lives can be saved around the world.
SPIRIT OF 1776 AWARD
The Spirit of 1776 Award is presented to an individual who embodies the patriotic spirit of the AutoZone Liberty Bowl and has served their community in an exemplary manner.
SPIRIT OF 1776 AWARD RECIPIENTS
2018
A C Wharton & Mark Luttrell
2017
Bobby Lanier
2016
T. Michael Glenn2015
Mike Slive
2014
The Waterboys
2013
George W. Bryan
2012
Bill Courtney
2011
Jim Campbell
2010
Angelo Lucchesi
2009
Leigh Anne Tuohy
2008
Gene Bartow
2007
The Bear Bryant Family
2006
Billy J. "Spook" Murphy
2005
Dr. Arthur Nienhuis
2004
Dr. David Sisk
2003
Shaun Micheel
2002
Ronnie Jorgenson
2001
TANG - Gary Webb and Ronnie Lee
2000
Harry Zinn
1999
Richard Green
OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
The AutoZone Liberty Bowl Outstanding Achievement Award was inspired by Danny Thomas, the great entertainer who founded St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. The AutoZone Liberty Bowl seeks to recognize outstanding achievement in the field of music and entertainment, and service to the community. Many of the most prominent names in music and entertainment are previous recipients of this honor. Some of the most recent recipients of the Outstanding Achievement Award are listed below:
Felix Cavaliere of The Rascals
2024
The Bar-Kays
2023
Starship Featuring Mickey Thomas
2022
Andy Childs
2021
Scotty McCreery
2019
The Four Tops
2018
The Isley Brothers
2017
The Commodores2016
Craig Morgan2015
Big & Rich2014
Diamond Rio2013
The Temptations2012
KC & The Sunshine Band2012
The O'Jays2010
Eddie Money2009
Sara Evans2008
Taylor Hicks2007
LeAnn Rimes2006
The Beach Boys2005
Little Richard2004
Lou Rawls2003
Clint Black2002
Three Dog Night2001
Lonestar2000
B.B. King1999DISTINGUISHED CITIZEN AWARD
The Distinguished Citizen Award is a time-honored tradition of the AutoZone Liberty Bowl. For more than 30 years, the Bowl has recognized some of America's most prominent citizens. The award has been presented to a cross-section of Americans from a wide range of professions, including military commanders, governors, and congressmen, as well as leaders in business, medicine, education, entertainment and sports.
LIST OF PREVIOUS HONOREES
2024
Joe Theismann
College Football Hall of Famer and Super Bowl Champion
2023
Jerry "The King" Lawler
Sports and Entertainment Icon
2022
Steve Spurrier
Former SEC Head Coach and Heisman Trophy Winner
2021
Peyton Manning
NFL Hall of Famer and 2-Time Super Bowl Champion
2019
Donald Dell
Tennis and Sports Business Innovator
2018
Priscilla Presley
Business Entrepreneur, Actress, Producer, Author and Philanthropist
2017
Tim McCarver
St. Louis Cardinals and National Baseball Hall of Famer
2016
Archie Manning
Ole Miss legend, College Football Hall of Famer
1968 AutoZone Liberty Bowl Champion
2015
Dick Vitale
Legendary College Basketball Analyst and Hall of Famer
2014
Bill Dance
Hall of Fame Fisherman
2013
Darrell Waltrip
NASCAR Hall of Famer
2012
Lee Corso
Coach & College Football Analyst2011
Lou Holtz
Legendary Coach
2010
Bobby Bowden
Legendary Coach
2009
Tony Dungy
Super Bowl winning NFL Coach
2008
Kenneth E. Tovo
Brigadier General, U.S. Army
2007
Dr. Robert C. Khayat
Chancellor, University of Mississippi
2006
Phil Bredesen
Tennessee Governor
2005
Ambrose F."Bud" Dudley
Liberty Bowl Founder
2004
Frederick W. Smith
CEO, FedEx Corporation
2003
The Danny Thomas Family
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
2002
Pitt Hyde
AutoZone Founder
2001
New York City Police Officers, Firefighters & Emergency Workers
2000
Franco Harris
NFL Hall of Famer/ Running back, Pittsburgh Steelers
1999
Dr. Tom Osborne
Legendary Coach, Nebraska/ Former U.S. Congressman
1998
William B."Billy" Dunavant, Jr.
Business and Sports Entrepreneur
1997 G.V. "Sonny" Montgomery
U.S. Congressman
1996 Dr. Peter Doherty
Nobel Prize Recipient
1995 Rochelle Stevens
Olympic Gold Medal Winner
1994 Johnny Majors
Legendary Coach
1993 Dr. Adrian Rogers
Pastor
1992 Charles M. Neinas
Athletic Administrator
1991 Jerry Clower
Entertainer
1990
Alan C. Page
Professional Athlete/Judge
1989
Chris Schenkel
Sports Broadcaster
1988 Lindsey Nelson
Sports Broadcaster
1987 Walter Byers
Executive Director NCAA
1986 Fred Russell
Sports Writer
1985 Kemmons Wilson
Founder of Holiday Inn
1984 William Lawrence
Vice Admiral, U.S. Navy
1983
William Simon
Former U.S. Secretary of Treasury
1982
Eddie Robinson
Legendary Coach, Grambling
1981
Marguerite Piazza
Entertainer
1980
Pearl Bailey
Entertainer
1979
Danny Thomas
Founder of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
1978
Ben Abruzzo, Maxie Anderson & Larry Newman
Explorers
1977
Elvis Presley
Entertainer
1976
Roone Arledge
President, ABC Sports
1975
John McKay
Legendary Coach
1974
Paul "Bear" Bryant
Legendary Coach, Alabama
1973
John A. Dramesi
Lt. Col., U.S. Air Force
1972
Frank Leahy
Legendary Coach
COUNTDOWN TO KICKOFF:
January 2, 2026 - 3:30 PM CST
2024 AutoZone Liberty Bowl Game Highlights
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