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Wayne Dowdle, a native Memphian whose family made a name for itself after decades in the sporting goods business, has been elected president of the 2026 AutoZone Liberty Bowl Festival Association, bowl officials announced June 23.
The 68th annual AutoZone Liberty Bowl will be played at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium in Memphis on Jan. 2 (6:30 p.m., ABC).
“The opportunity to serve the AutoZone Liberty Bowl is a great honor and I look forward to continuing the Bowl’s success and its mission of showcasing Memphis and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital through the many year-round events hosted by the Association," Dowdle said in a press release.
Dowdle is a graduate of White Station High School and the University of Memphis, where he played football as a wide receiver. He later spent 25 years coaching middle school and high school football in the Memphis area.
Dowdle Sporting Goods was founded in the early 1900s. Dowdle led the company for 27 years before selling it in 2012. In addition to the AutoZone Liberty Bowl, Dowdle serves on the board of directors of the Memphis Touchdown Club and Deeper Still Missions. He received the AutoZone Liberty Bowl’s “Volunteer of the Year” Award in 2023.
“Wayne has been a dedicated supporter, volunteer and board member of the AutoZone Liberty Bowl and all our activities for many years," Steve Ehrhart, executive director of the AutoZone Liberty Bowl said in a press release. "We’re excited about the experience, enthusiasm and dedication he brings to the AutoZone Liberty Bowl Festival Association."
The AutoZone Liberty Bowl Festival Association also elected Shone Bynum (last year's president), Scott Cummins, Malvin Gipson and Kevin Nienhuis as officers for 2026.
This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: AutoZone Liberty Bowl names Wayne Dowdle new president
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The 68th annual AutoZone Liberty Bowl will be played at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium in Memphis on Jan. 2 (6:30 p.m., ABC).
“The opportunity to serve the AutoZone Liberty Bowl is a great honor and I look forward to continuing the Bowl’s success and its mission of showcasing Memphis and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital through the many year-round events hosted by the Association," Dowdle said in a press release.
Dowdle is a graduate of White Station High School and the University of Memphis, where he played football as a wide receiver. He later spent 25 years coaching middle school and high school football in the Memphis area.
Dowdle Sporting Goods was founded in the early 1900s. Dowdle led the company for 27 years before selling it in 2012. In addition to the AutoZone Liberty Bowl, Dowdle serves on the board of directors of the Memphis Touchdown Club and Deeper Still Missions. He received the AutoZone Liberty Bowl’s “Volunteer of the Year” Award in 2023.
“Wayne has been a dedicated supporter, volunteer and board member of the AutoZone Liberty Bowl and all our activities for many years," Steve Ehrhart, executive director of the AutoZone Liberty Bowl said in a press release. "We’re excited about the experience, enthusiasm and dedication he brings to the AutoZone Liberty Bowl Festival Association."
The AutoZone Liberty Bowl Festival Association also elected Shone Bynum (last year's president), Scott Cummins, Malvin Gipson and Kevin Nienhuis as officers for 2026.
This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: AutoZone Liberty Bowl names Wayne Dowdle new president
Continue reading...
