Football

Verne Lundquist to Emcee American Athletic Conference Football Media Days

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Verne Lundquist, one of the iconic figures in college football broadcasting, will serve as the emcee for the American Athletic Conference Summer Kickoff and Media Days, which begin Monday, July 17, in Newport, Rhode Island.
 
Lundquist, who has served as a leading sports broadcaster for 54 years, has been the voice behind some of the greatest moments in the history of televised sports, including the famous Kick Six play by Auburn against Alabama in 2013, Tiger Woods’ chip-in birdie in the 2005 Masters Tournament and the 1992 NCAA Men’s Basketball East Region Final between Duke and Kentucky, which is considered by many to be the greatest college basketball game of all time.
 
“It will be an honor to have Verne Lundquist with us in Newport,” said American Athletic Conference commissioner Mike Aresco. “Aside from being a close friend, Verne is a great broadcaster and ambassador for college football and college sports. He has called virtually every major sporting event during his distinguished career and he will bring great insight and perspective to our Summer Kickoff.”
 
Lundquist will moderate roundtable discussions on national and conference-wide football matters on Tuesday, July 18, which will feature The American’s 12 head football coaches. Commissioner Aresco will begin Tuesday’s schedule with his annual remarks to the local and national media members in attendance.
 
Live coverage of The American’s Summer Kickoff and Media Days will be available on The American Digital Network.
 
The American is the only conference in Division I FBS football to return in 2017 its Offensive Player of the Year (USF quarterback Quinton Flowers), its Defensive Player of the Year (UCF linebacker Shaquem Griffin) and its Special Teams Player of the Year (Memphis return specialist Tony Pollard). The American had three 10-win teams for the second straight season in 2016 and is one of six leagues (along with the ACC, Big Ten, Big 12, Pac-12 and SEC) to have at least one ranked team in the final national polls in each of the last four years.