AutoZone Liberty Bowl

MISSION STATEMENT

1) Showcase Memphis and the Mid-South to the nation through the national telecast of the annual AutoZone Liberty Bowl game to enhance the image of the community, both in the eyes of the actual attendees and the television audience.

2) To create positive economic impact in our community by inviting universities, their teams and entire constituencies to Memphis and to create and sponsor first class events for these guests.

3) To conduct civic events within Memphis and the Mid-South for all persons to participate with a goal of creating civic pride for all Memphians and Mid-Southerners.

4) To feature St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (the great hospital founded by Danny Thomas) in our various activities to assist the hospital in their mission of saving lives and finding cures for childhood diseases.

5) To emphasize the principles of freedom, patriotism, and liberty….the very principles upon which our Bowl game was founded.

6) To create an outstanding experience for all students, student-athletes, cheerleaders, dance teams, band members, faculty, staff, alumni and fans attending and participating in the AutoZone Liberty Bowl.

OVERVIEW

Since 2004, Memphis-based AutoZone (NYSE: AZO) has served as the title sponsor of the AutoZone Liberty Bowl. In 2019, AutoZone extended its title sponsorship agreement with the AutoZone Liberty Bowl for six additional years. The extended agreement will begin with the 2019 college football season and continue through the 2025 season. AutoZone is the leading retailer and a leading distributor of automotive parts and accessories in the United States.

In 2025, 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 Hospital 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.

HISTORY OF THE BOWL

The AutoZone Liberty Bowl Football Classic is the seventh oldest college bowl game and is one of the most tradition-rich and patriotic bowl games in America. The AutoZone Liberty Bowl was founded in Philadelphia in 1959 and the inaugural game featured a match-up between Penn State and Alabama. That game began a tradition of great stars, exciting football, and was the first of 66 thrilling chapters in the history of the AutoZone Liberty Bowl Football Classic. The AutoZone Liberty Bowl has enjoyed many highlights through the years. The Bowl has hosted all-time great coaches such as Paul “Bear” Bryant, Lou Holtz, Tom Osborne, Steve Spurrier and Bill Snyder. The Bowl’s history also includes four Heisman Trophy winners (Ernie Davis, Terry Baker, Doug Flutie and Bo Jackson) and other stars such as Archie Manning and Donovan McNabb.

History & Record Book

67TH AUTOZONE LIBERTY BOWL GAME

The 67th Annual AutoZone Liberty Bowl game will be played on Friday, January 2, 2026. The game will be nationally televised by ESPN.

Plan your trip to the 67th AutoZone Liberty Bowl by clicking on any of the following links:

Follow the AutoZone Liberty Bowl:

THE BELL BEHIND THE BOWL

The AutoZone Liberty Bowl Trophy produced by Schulmerich is an authentic, one-quarter-sized replica of the bell that rang in Independence Hall to announce the signing of the Declaration of Independence. It has the same nicked edges, foundry marks, misspelled inscription and even the famous crack - all crafted o maintain the integrity of the Bell in every detail. Cast in traditional black bronze, the Bell measures 12 inches in diameter and 11-1/2 inches height with the crown. It is bolted to a handmade wooden yoke and wings on legs cast with filigree design that appears on the original mounting.

CONFERENCE PARTNERS

LOCATION

The AutoZone Liberty Bowl is held at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium in Memphis, TN.

SIMMONS BANK LIBERTY STADIUM
Opened: 1965 Capacity: 57,266 Surface: AstroTurf RootZone 3D3 Blend
Address: 335 S. Hollywood, Memphis, TN 38104

Phone: 901-729-4344
Website:www.SimmonsBankStadium.com

Top 5 Largest Crowds in AutoZone Liberty Bowl History

1) 63,816 - Mississippi State vs. UCF - 12/29/2007
2) 62,742 - Arkansas vs. East Carolina - 1/02/2010

3) 61,497 - Air Force vs. Mississippi State - 12/29/1991

4) 61,136 - Arkansas vs. Kansas State - 1/02/2016

5) 60,128 - Ole Miss vs. Air Force - 12/28/1989

MEMPHIS, TN

County: Shelby Metro Population: 1,316,100 (2012) Founded: May 22, 1819

Memphis Mayor: Paul Young Shelby County Mayor: Lee Harris

Notable Memphis Attractions:

Beale Street, Graceland, National Civil Rights Museum, Memphis Zoo, Memphis Grizzlies (NBA)

Notable Memphians:

Kathy Bates (actress), Paul Finebaum (Sports Radio Personality), Aretha Franklin (singer), Morgan Freeman (actor), Al Green (musician), Anfernee "Penny" Hardaway (professional basketball player), Isaac Hayes (Academy Award-winning musician), B.B. King (musician), Jerry Lawler (professional wrestler), Jerry Lee Lewis (musician), Tim McCarver (professional baseball player/ broadcaster), Michael Oher (NFL player, Tennessee Titans), Elvis Presley (iconic musician and actor), Cybill Shepherd (actress), Fred Smith (founder and chairman of FedEx), Danny Thomas (entertainer/ founder of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital), Fred D. Thompson (actor and former U.S. Senator), Justin Timberlake (musician/ actor), Kemmons Wilson (businessman, founder of Holiday Inn)

30TH ANNUAL AUTOZONE LIBERTY BOWL GOLF CLASSIC

PRESENTED BY:

MONDAY, AUGUST 25, 2025

SHOTGUN STARTS - 7:45 AM AND 1:15 PM

TPC SOUTHWIND

DISTINGUISHED CITIZEN AWARD DINNER/AUCTION

HONORING VERNE LUNDQUIST

SUNDAY, AUGUST 24, 2025

HILTON MEMPHIS HOTEL - 5:30 P.M.

Tournament festivities begin on Sunday, August 24, 2025 with the Distinguished Citizen Award Dinner honoring Verne Lundquist at the Hilton Memphis Hotel. Cocktails and a silent auction begin at 5:30 PM, followed by dinner and live auction at 6:30 PM.

The 2025 AutoZone Liberty Bowl Golf Classic will be held on Monday, August 25, 2025 at TPC Southwind with shotgun starts at 7:45 AM. and 1:15 PM. All proceeds from the tournament go directly to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

Verne Lundquist Small Email Graphic copy

AutoZone Liberty Bowl Distinguished Citizen Award Dinner

Honoring Verne Lundquist

Sunday, August 24, 2025 - 5:30 PM - Hilton Memphis Hotel

30th Annual AutoZone Liberty Bowl Golf Classic

Benefiting St. Jude Children's Research Hospital

Monday, August 25, 2025 - 7:45 AM & 1:15 PM Tee Times - TPC Southwind

CLICK HERE FOR FULL EVENT BROCHURE

Call 901-795-7700 or e-mail Kevin.Alexander@libertybowl.org

for more information or questions

2025 AutoZone Liberty Bowl Golf Classic Tournament Sponsors:

Southland Hauling logo

2025 AutoZone Liberty Bowl Golf Classic Results

First Flight

1^stPlace: Nesvick Trading Group (-16)

2^ndPlace: Regional One (-14)

3^rdPlace: Howard Strelsin Group (-14)

Second Flight

1^stPlace: ATC Fitness (-9)

2^ndPlace: Dennis Electric (-9)

3^rdPlace: Albright Investments (-9)

Third Flight

1^stPlace: Memphis Winwater (-6)

2^ndPlace: Metro Construction (-6)

3^rdPlace: T. Rowe Price (-6)

Chipping Contest:

AM Winner: Chris Bingham

PM Winner: Mitchell Bowlin

Putting Contest:

AM Winner: Rory Dedmon

PM Winner: Steven Thomas

Longest Drive:

Riley Watkins (Mens)

Sarah Posey (Ladies)

Most Accurate Drive:

Alex Oliphant

Closest to the Pin:

Jeff Navarre (HOLE IN ONE!)

Nesvick Trading Group finished in 1st place in the 2021 AutoZone Liberty Bowl Golf Classic

AutoZone Liberty Bowl Makes Annual Donation to

St. 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 67^th AutoZone Liberty Bowl will be played on Friday, January 2, 2026 at 3:30 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.

St Jude ARK VISIT 3 web

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.

St. Jude has treated children in all 50 states and from around the globe. Families never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing or food, so they can focus on helping their child live. Support the St. Jude mission and follow their journey on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

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 Glenn

2015

Mike Slive

2014

The Waterboys

2013

George W. Bryan