Verne Lundquist to Receive 2025 Liberty Bowl Award

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Legendary sportscaster Verne Lundquist will receive the AutoZone Liberty Bowl’s Distinguished Citizen Award in 2025, the organization announced on Wednesday. The award ceremony is set for Aug. 24 at the Hilton Memphis Hotel, beginning at 6:30 p.m.

Lundquist, 84, retired from broadcasting in 2024, bringing a remarkable career spanning over four decades to a close. He is celebrated for his contributions to major sporting events, including a 40-year tenure covering The Masters for CBS and more than 30 years calling NCAA March Madness games.

“Verne joins a decades-long list of renowned Americans who have distinguished themselves and reached the pinnacle of their chosen field,” said Steve Ehrhart, executive director of the AutoZone Liberty Bowl, in a press release. “We are proud to include Verne among the nationally known luminaries who have been honored by the AutoZone Liberty Bowl over our 67-year history.”

Previous Distinguished Citizen Award recipients include notable figures such as Paul “Bear” Bryant, Tony Dungy, and Dick Vitale, with 2024 honoree Joe Theismann also among the ranks.

Reflecting on his illustrious career, Lundquist identified several moments as his favorite calls: Jack Nicklaus clinching victory at the 1986 Masters with his famous “Maybe … yes, sir!” on the 17th hole, Christian Laettner‘s buzzer-beater that sent Duke to the 1992 Final Four with “There’s the pass to Laettner … puts it up … yes!” and the dramatic “Kick-Six” game between Alabama and Auburn in 2013, culminating in “Touchdown, Auburn! An answered prayer!”

Lundquist’s legacy as the lead play-by-play announcer for “SEC on CBS” from 2000 to 2016 further solidified his place in sports history. His ability to capture the essence of each game and engage viewers with his commentary has left an indelible mark on the industry.

For more details, contact sports writer Jason Munz at [email protected] or follow him @munzly on X.