PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Commissioner Mike Aresco has announced that NAPA Auto Parts will become the title sponsor of the American Athletic Conference’s 2017 Summer Kickoff and Media Days.
The American Athletic Conference Summer Kickoff and Media Days presented by NAPA Auto Parts will take place July 17-18 in Newport, Rhode Island. The Summer Kickoff will feature many of college football’s leading players, coaches and administrators along with bowl and television partners and many of the most prominent members of the media who cover the sport.
“We are proud to welcome NAPA Auto Parts as the title sponsor of our Summer Kickoff and Media Days,” said Aresco. “Our Summer Kickoff is a unique and special event that will set the stage for another outstanding football season in our conference. I am especially pleased that NAPA Auto Parts, an industry leader with a nationally recognized and respected brand, has partnered with us to present one of our signature events.”
“NAPA is excited to have joined into this partnership with the American Athletic Conference,” said Geoff Watson, President and General Manager of NAPA Connecticut. “We are proud to support collegiate athletes for their hard work, focus and determination. We look forward to being a part of Football Media Days and can’t wait to be a part of this signature event.”
Live coverage of both days of The American’s Summer Kickoff and Media Days will be available on The American Digital Network, beginning with a one-hour program Monday, July 17, at 7 p.m. ET from the site of the event’s New England-style clambake. The American’s Hali Oughton will be joined by longtime television analyst Andy Katz for interviews with coaches, student-athletes and guests as they arrive at the clambake, with the backdrop of a waterfront sunset.
The American Digital Network will be live for four hours on Tuesday, July 18, beginning at 8:30 a.m. ET with coverage of the formal media sessions from Gurney’s Newport Resort and Spa. Legendary sports broadcaster Verne Lundquist will serve as the host of Tuesday’s podium sessions, featuring opening remarks by Commissioner Aresco and roundtable sessions with the East and West Division head coaches. Oughton will be joined by veteran college football announcer Andy Gresh for more in-depth interviews with coaches, student-athletes and guests.
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.
The relationship between the American Athletic Conference and NAPA Auto Parts is managed by IMG College, the exclusive multimedia rightsholder for The American.
NAPA AUTO PARTS
NAPA (NAPAonline.com) was founded in 1925 to meet America’s growing need for an auto parts distribution system. Today, NAPA has grown to more than 6,000 NAPA AUTO PARTS stores and 58 distribution centers with more than 500,000 parts and accessories for automotive and industrial applications.
THE AMERICAN ATHLETIC CONFERENCE
The American Athletic Conference (The American), a member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), was formed in 2013 after previously operating as the Big East Conference from 1979-2013. With the conference office in Providence, Rhode Island, The American is comprised of 13 member institutions: UCF, Cincinnati, UConn, East Carolina, Houston, Memphis, Navy (in football only), USF, SMU, Temple, Tulane, Tulsa and Wichita State (in basketball and Olympic sports). Under the leadership of Commissioner Mike Aresco, The American sponsors 21 championships - 10 for men and 11 for women - is a member of the College Football Playoff, began new television partnerships with ESPN and CBS Sports in 2014, and has a marketing partnership with IMG College. For more information, please visit www.TheAmerican.org.
IMG
IMG is a global leader in sports, events, media and fashion, operating in more than 30 countries. The company represents and manages some of the world’s greatest sports figures and fashion icons; stages hundreds of live events and branded entertainment experiences annually; and is one of the largest independent producers and distributors of sports media. IMG also specializes in sports training; league development; and marketing, media and licensing for brands, sports organizations and collegiate institutions. In 2014, IMG was acquired by WME, a leading global entertainment agency.