Put on Those Football Jerseys: AT&T Sponsorship Brings Unique Experience to HBCU Fans

Published: September 02, 2011

DALLAS, Sept. 2, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- September marks the return of the football season and AT&T^[1]* is bringing all the excitement and fun of the HBCU football season to consumers through its title sponsorship of the AT&T Nation's Football Classic(TM) and its exclusive communications services sponsorship of the HBCU Tailgate Tour, featuring Russ Parr and Rickey Smiley. AT&T's support of the Nation's Football Classic and HBCU Tailgate Tour will celebrate and showcase the rich heritage, traditions and rivalries between HBCUs.

"We are excited to celebrate this upcoming HBCU football season with our consumers and want to provide them with a great football experience," said Jennifer Jones, vice president, AT&T Diverse Markets. "We want our consumers to know that we are committed to empowering the communities we serve through our commitment to diversity and education."

As part of activating the Nation's Football Classic and the HBCU Tailgate Tour sponsorships, AT&T will host various events for fans to join in on the celebration before and after the games. These activities include a digital lounge with prize giveaways, games, step shows, karaoke competitions and much more.

Here is a preview of some of the activities AT&T will host this HBCU football season:

AT&T Nation's Football Classic

The inaugural game featuring the highly anticipated matchup between Morehouse College and Howard University will be held on Sept. 10 at Robert F. Kennedy (RFK) Stadium in Washington, D.C. There are also events scheduled around the game for consumers to enjoy. Events surrounding the football classic include:

              AT&T Kickoff Rally hosted by Radio    o         Personality Big Tigger              Featuring host Big Tigger, A-list              celebrities and the respective schools,              fans can participate in the free pregame              event on Sept. 9 at noon in the downtown              Washington, D.C. area where they can              engage in fun contests and watch Greek              step show performances, drumline and              cheer performances.              Sound Stage and Lounge events at RFK    o         Stadium Festival Grounds              Fitted with a celebrity DJ spinning the              latest tunes, fans will get a chance to              view special performances, play games              and compete for prizes. At the lounge,              fans will be able to recharge their              devices, relax, and get hands-on with              some of AT&T's latest products. Both              events take place on Sept. 10 at RFK              Stadium during the Pepsi Max Fan              Festival.

AT&T HBCU Tailgate Tour featuring Russ Parr and Rickey Smiley

The Russ Parr Morning Show and Rickey Smiley Morning Show are set to host the official tailgate parties for a series of HBCU football classic games and homecoming events that reach audiences of up to 60,000. The tour will stop in eight different markets - Birmingham, Ala.; Orlando, Fla.; Atlanta; Dayton, Ohio; Indianapolis; Durham, N.C.; Washington, D.C.; Richmond, Va. - and provide fans with the opportunity to participate in karaoke competitions, Greek step show performances, cookout contests, and more. The tour runs from Sept. 1-Nov. 30.

The games schedule for the HBCU Tailgate Tour can be found below, or by visiting att.com/thebridge^[2].

    2011 AT&T HBCU Tailgate Tour Lineup    Sept. 24, 2011           Atlanta Football Classic    Atlanta                  Florida A&M vs. Southern University    Oct. 1, 2011             Circle City Classic                              Kentucky State vs. Albany State    Indianapolis              University    Oct. 8, 2011             Virginia Union Homecoming                              Virginia Union University vs.    Richmond, Va.             Elizabeth City State    Oct. 15, 2011            Central State's Homecoming    Dayton, Ohio             Central State vs. Southwest Baptist    Oct. 22, 2011            Howard Homecoming                              Howard University vs. North Carolina    Washington, D.C.          A&T University    Oct. 29, 2011            Magic City Classic                              Alabama A&M University vs. Alabama    Birmingham, Ala.          State University    Oct. 29, 2011            North Carolina Central's Homecoming                              North Carolina Central vs. Bethune    Durham, N.C.              Cookman University    Nov. 19, 2011            Florida Classic                              Bethune Cookman University vs. Florida    Orlando, Fla.             A&M University

Additional details of the AT&T Nation's Football Classic, HBCU sponsorships and other news, schedule of events by region, and product offerings can be found at att.com/thebridge^[3].

For more information and detailed disclaimer information, please review this announcement in the AT&T newsroom at http://www.att.com/newsroom^[4].

*AT&T products and services are provided or offered by subsidiaries and affiliates of AT&T Inc. under the AT&T brand and not by AT&T Inc.

About AT&T

AT&T Inc. (NYSE: T) is a premier communications holding company. Its subsidiaries and affiliates - AT&T operating companies - are the providers of AT&T services in the United States and around the world. With a powerful array of network resources that includes the nation's fastest mobile broadband network, AT&T is a leading provider of wireless, Wi-Fi, high speed Internet and voice services.



A leader in mobile broadband, AT&T also offers the best wireless coverage worldwide, offering the most wireless phones that work in the most countries. It also offers advanced TV services under the AT&T U-verse and AT&T | DIRECTV brands. The company's suite of IP-based business communications services is one of the most advanced in the world. In domestic markets, AT&T Advertising Solutions and AT&T Interactive are known for their leadership in local search and advertising.

Additional information about AT&T Inc. and the products and services provided by AT&T subsidiaries and affiliates is available at the AT&T Website^[5]. This AT&T news release and other announcements are available at AT&T Newsroom, and as part of an RSS feed at AT&T RSS Feed^[6]. Or follow our news on Twitter @ATT^[7]. Find us on Facebook at the AT&T Facebook^[8] to discover more about our consumer and wireless services or at AT&T Small Business Facebook to discover more about our small business services.

About the AT&T Nation's Football Classic(TM)

The AT&T Nation's Football Classic(TM) is a black college football game held annually at RFK Stadium in Washington, D.C. This year, the game features Howard University against Morehouse College. Organized by Events DC, the AT&T Nation's Football Classic(TM) was created to celebrate the passion and tradition of the college football experience, recognize the history of service to others by the students, faculty and alumni of historically black colleges and universities, highlight the unity of African American culture, and honor the heritage and excellence of these proud institutions. Tickets for the AT&T Nation's Football Classic(TM) are on sale now at Ticketmaster.com, the Howard University Box Office at Cramton Auditorium and the Morehouse College Bookstore. Seats are priced at $15, $25, $40, $50 and $60.

2011 AT&T Intellectual Property. All rights reserved. Mobile broadband not available in all areas. AT&T, the AT&T logo and all other marks contained herein are trademarks of AT&T Intellectual Property and/or AT&T affiliated companies. All other marks contained herein are the property of their respective owners.

SOURCE AT&T Inc.

References

1. ^{^} AT&T (www.att.com)
2. ^{^} att.com/thebridge (www.att.com)
3. ^{^} att.com/thebridge (www.att.com)
4. ^{^} http://www.att.com/newsroom (www.att.com)
5. ^{^} AT&T Website (www.att.com)
6. ^{^} AT&T RSS Feed (www.att.com)
7. ^{^} Twitter @ATT (www.twitter.com)
8. ^{^} AT&T Facebook (www.facebook.com)
9. ^{^} Daily News (newsblaze.com)