AutoZone Liberty Bowl

2016 Zinn Volunteer of the Year

BOB PATTERSON

The AutoZone Liberty Bowl is proud to honor Bob Patterson with the 2016 Zinn Volunteer of the Year Award. The award is given annually to an individual who has gone above and beyond in their service and volunteerism on behalf of the AutoZone Liberty Bowl. Patterson is a long-time volunteer, board member and community supporter of the AutoZone Liberty Bowl. The award is named in honor of Harry Zinn, a very dedicated volunteer when the Bowl moved to Memphis 54 years ago.

Patterson received the award at the AutoZone Liberty Bowl’s spring kick-off event on April 13 at the Hilton Memphis Hotel.

Patterson’s involvement in football stretches back more than 50 years, as a player, coach, and administrator. Patterson grew up in New Jersey, starring in every sport at Penns Grove High School, earning 13 varsity letters in football, basketball, baseball and track. In 1950, he received the William J. Miles Award for being the Outstanding High School Athlete and received a football scholarship to the University of Tennessee. At UT he was a part of a National Champion and SEC Champion team.

After two seasons at UT, Patterson transferred to the University of Memphis where he lettered in football his final two years. In 1953, he was named Most Valuable Player of the Memphis Tigers.

In 1954, he was first-team Associated Press Little All-American and Honorable Mention All-American. Upon graduation, Patterson served in the military and played for the Elgin Air Force Base team, where he was named “All Air Force” and “All Service”. Patterson enjoyed a long coaching career, serving as an assistant coach at the University of Southwestern Louisiana, University of Memphis, Texas Tech and 13 years at Vanderbilt University.

In 1981, he was named Athletics Director at the University of Memphis. He later coached the defensive line and was a player personnel executive with the Memphis Showboats of the USFL before retiring from coaching in 1986. Patterson has continued his involvement with football with part-time pro scouting stints for the New England Patriots, New York Jets and Baltimore Ravens.

Patterson’s many honors include Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame, Penns Grove Athletic Hall of Fame, All-Time Tiger Team of the University of Memphis, M Club Hall of Fame, All-American Football Foundation, All-American Football Foundation Lifetime Achievement Award and Distinguished American Award from the AutoZone Liberty Bowl and the Memphis Chapter of the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame.

Leigh Shockey Named President of the 59th AutoZone Liberty Bowl

Leigh Shockey, Chairman and CEO of Drexel Chemical Company, has been elected President of the 2017 AutoZone Liberty Bowl Festival Association. Shockey is a longtime board member of the AutoZone Liberty Bowl Festival Association.

“One of the AutoZone Liberty Bowl’s key missions is to showcase Memphis to the rest of the world through the various year-round community events conducted by the Association,” said Shockey. “I’m proud to serve as President this year, as our events shine a positive light on Memphis and create community pride for local citizens. In addition, we will continue to share the life-saving message of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital through our events during the year.”

“Leigh has been a strong supporter and advocate of the Bowl and all our activities for many years. We’re excited about the energy, enthusiasm and dedication Leigh brings to the AutoZone Liberty Bowl,” said Steve Ehrhart, Executive Director of the AutoZone Liberty Bowl.

In addition to the AutoZone Liberty Bowl, Shockey is also involved with several other local community organizations including: University of Memphis Board of Visitors, Tennessee Board of Regents, Greater Memphis Chamber (Chairman), Memphis in May International Festival and Rock N’ Soul Museum.

Leigh holds a Bachelors of Science degree in International Business from the University of Tennessee – Martin and was appointed Honorary Consul to Canada in 2014.

In addition to Shockey, the AutoZone Liberty Bowl Festival Association also elected these officers for 2017:

Scott Barber Chairman

Bill Kinkade Vice President

Bill Giles Secretary

Chris Moore Treasurer

To purchase tickets to the 2017 AutoZone Liberty Bowl, call (901) 795-7700 or CLICK HERE.

AutoZone Liberty Bowl

Announces 2018 Game Date and Time

The 60th Annual AutoZone Liberty Bowl will be played December 31 at 2:45 PM CST and will be televised on ESPN. More AutoZone Liberty Bowl games have been played on the popular December 31 afternoon date than any other date over the Bowl’s 60-year history.

“December 31st at 2:45 PM is a great date and time for fans to attend the game and for those around the world who will be watching on ESPN,” said Steve Ehrhart, Executive Director of the AutoZone Liberty Bowl. “The AutoZone Liberty Bowl is proud to secure this much coveted television window as part of ESPN’s New Year’s weekend lineup of games. The December 31st date provides the AutoZone Liberty Bowl a terrific opportunity to showcase two outstanding universities from the SEC and Big 12, the Memphis community and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.”

“The AutoZone Liberty Bowl has become a huge part of the New Year’s weekend celebration in Memphis,” stated Ehrhart. “The afternoon of December 31st is a key part of the long holiday weekend. We look forward to hosting thousands of out of town visitors who will enjoy ringing in the New Year with the Bowl and celebrating after the game at a massive party on Beale Street!”

About the AutoZone Liberty Bowl:

- The AutoZone Liberty Bowl was founded in 1959, making it the seventh oldest bowl game in America

- In 2018, the AutoZone Liberty Bowl is celebrating its Diamond Anniversary – 60 years

- 61 different universities have participated in the AutoZone Liberty Bowl

- The Bowl’s 60-year history has featured many of college football’s greatest coaches and players: Bear Bryant, Steve Spurrier, Urban Meyer, Gary Patterson, Kirby Smart and Heisman Trophy winners Ernie Davis, Terry Baker, Doug Flutie and Bo Jackson. As well as recent star players such as A. J. Green, Dak Prescott and Anthony Miller.

- The AutoZone Liberty Bowl has an annual economic impact of $25 million to $30 million on the local Memphis economy

For tickets, call the AutoZone Liberty Bowl at (901) 795-7700 or click here.

National Signing Day 2017

Congratulations to all the 2016 AutoZone Liberty Bowl High School All-Star Game participants who will continue their academic and athletic pursuits at the collegiate level.

Name - College (High School/POS)

Isaiah Norman - Austin Peay (Cordova/S)

Devin Coleman - Lincoln (Cordova/QB)

Timothy Taylor - Memphis (East/RB)

Preston Brady - Memphis (ECS/OL)

Dewayne Betts - Coahoma CC (KIPP/S)

Mario Nolan-Dillard - Navy (Lausanne/QB)

Anthony Taylor - Coffeyville CC (Memphis Central/LB)

Evan Smith - Lafayette (MUS/LB)

Garrison Boling - Southeast Oklahoma State (Northpoint/DE)

Joseph Newberry - Austin Peay (Ridgeway/CB)

Tyrese Slocum - Jacksonville State (Ridgeway/OL)

Ben Glass - Navy (St. George's/QB)

Cordarrian Richardson - UCF (Trezevant/RB)

Tijuan Mason - Rutgers (Trezevant/DE)

Myles Baker - Southern Arkansas (White Station/CB)

Jalen Jones - Coffeyville CC (White Station/OL)

Roland Williams - Air Force (White Station/DB)

Kylan Watkins - UT-Martin (Whitehaven/RB)

Aubrey Miller - Missouri (Whitehaven/LB)

Anthony Geter - Tennessee State (Whitehaven/OL)

Tyler Walton - Fullerton College (Whitehaven/OL)

Darrick Jackson - Arkansas-Monticello (Whitehaven/OL)