Liberty Bowl teams visit children at St. Jude

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital (ALSAC)
Tuesday, 30 December 2003

As a kickoff to the 2003 AXA Liberty Bowl, the Conference USA champion University of Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles and the Mountain West champion University of Utah Utes visited the patients of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital on Dec. 30.

On the eve of the two teams' clash at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium in Memphis, Tennessee, players spent the morning visiting with children who will benefit from the playing of the 45th AXA Liberty Bowl. The game supports St. Jude by bringing national awareness to the lifesaving work of the hospital. St. Jude patient Abby Jones will conduct the coin-toss to start the game, and several patients will join legendary Lou Rawls during his halftime performance. Memphis' own Cybill Shepherd and American Idol finalist Trenyce will take part in the pre-game festivities.

This year marks the end of AXA's sponsorship of the Liberty Bowl game. Auto parts retail giant AutoZone, with headquarters in Memphis, will take over sponsorship of the game beginning with the 2004 Liberty Bowl.

Game time is set for 2:30 p.m. central and will be broadcast live on ESPN.

For more information, or to contact St. Jude Children's Research Hospital (ALSAC), see their website at: www.stjude.org