Because the AutoZone Liberty Bowl only happens one day a year, most people don’t realize the staff works the other 364 days to make game day the best possible.
The AutoZone Liberty Bowl has been a staple in Memphis since 1965, and is the seventh longest running bowl in college football. The AutoZone Liberty Bowl has many memorable moments throughout its rich history. It has seen four Heisman winners, Ernie Davis, Terry Baker, Doug Flute, and Bo Jackson. Along with many iconic coaches including the last game ever for Alabama's great coach Paul “Bear” Bryant in 1982.
“Sometimes it’s a challenge for all the work you do throughout the year to take place over the course of a few days, but it is rewarding seeing all of your work pay off and get possible feedback,” said Patrick Byrne, Director of Sales and Marketing for AutoZone Liberty Bowl. Byrne's main responsibilities are working with sponsors, running all social media for AZLB, and making sure everything runs smoothly during the game.
In addition the actual game 12 other events come together to hopefully create the best possible experience for the Memphis community as well as the players and fans of both visiting teams. Before college football season begins or the teams are announced, the Liberty Bowl hosts a golf tournament in the summer to raise money for St. Jude Research Hospital.
Once December begins, events start building up. The first event is the Annual AutoZone Liberty Bowl High School All-Star Game at Memphis University School. The game features seniors from 48 public and private schools in the Memphis area.
“This event is one of my favorites,” Byrne said. “Seeing the players and coaches from different backgrounds and parts of the Memphis area come together to help the each other get the opportunity to play at the next level is great.”
Other events include team welcoming party, a Memphis Grizzlies game, players and coaches dinner, a professional rodeo, FCA breakfast, Beale Street parade, Bash on Beale Pep Rally, Presidents Gala, per-game buffet, AutoZone FanZone, and of course the main event, the game.
The staff for the AutoZone Liberty Bowl have more responsibilities than just planning this great events. One of the main jobs for the staff is working with the bowl game's many loyal and new sponsors. The title sponsor of the game is AutoZone and the two presenting sponsors are FedEx and Quaker State.
The staff, including Byrne, is responsible for making Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium game-ready by hanging banners around the stadium both inside and out.
Justin Parks Operations, Sales, and Marketing Intern has been working for the bowl game since June. Parks' main responsibilities in the months leading up to game day were ticket sales and daily deposits. On game day Justin, along with the help of another intern, was responsible for executing the game field promotions and logistics.
“Being able to take part of the passion, pride, and tradition that is the AutoZone Liberty Bowl was a dream come true,” said Parks.
Parks, a Memphis native and Germantown High School Alum, vividly remembers attending the AutoZone Liberty Bowl as kid.
“Working behind the scenes for an organization with such a storied history is truly humbling,” he said.
Over the next five years the AZLB has a partnership with the Big 12 and SEC.
“Our goal is to become and maintain our reputation as a major bowl in college football,” Byrne said. “We want Memphis to be a bowl destination that teams and fans want to come to every year.”
Up next for the AutoZone Liberty Bowl will be the golf tournament to raise money for St. Jude. The tournament has not yet set a date but will be in the summer. For more information on the golf tournament and all the great events for AZLB visit autozonelibertybowl.org.
