ESPN Regional Television (ERT), a subsidiary of ESPN, and AdvoCare International, LP, announced a four-year title sponsorship of the Texas Kickoff. Beginning in 2013, the event will officially be named the AdvoCare Texas Kickoff and will be featured on Labor Day weekend at Reliant Stadium in Houston. The event will be operated in cooperation with Lone Star Sports and Entertainment (LSSE).
The annual game will match-up premier college football teams from around the country to kick off the college football season. In the inaugural game, Mississippi State from the Southeastern Conference will face Oklahoma State from the Big 12 Conference on Saturday, August 31. Kickoff is slated for 2:30 p.m. CST on ABC and ESPN2. Click HERE for tickets or call 832-667-2390 for suites & group discounts.
Last season, Oklahoma State finished the year with a 58-14 victory over Purdue in the Heart of Dallas Bowl. The Cowboys feature 12 players from the Houston area and will be playing in Houston for the first time since September 2009 when they faced off against the University of Houston.
In 2012, Mississippi State finished the year 8-5 after climbing all the way up to No. 13 in the AP Poll, before falling to then-No. 1 and eventual national champion Alabama. The Bulldogs last played in Houston in October 2010 against the University of Houston and feature two players from the Houston area.
"The AdvoCare Texas Kickoff will be an exciting way to start another college football season," said Clint Overby, senior director of events, ESPN Regional Television. "AdvoCare is a Texas company and the opportunity to support college football in their home state was a natural fit."
AdvoCare is a premier health and wellness company offering world-class energy, weight-loss, nutrition, and sports performance products. Based in Plano, Texas, AdvoCare has been providing health and performance products across the country since being founded in 1993. AdvoCare has an impressive roster of athletes and performers who trust AdvoCare with their health and performance, including Drew Brees, Jason Witten, Sam Bradford, and Michael W. Smith, just to name a few.
"AdvoCare has always been a strong supporter of college football and this partnership gives us an opportunity to share our brand with the consumer," said Richard Wright, President and CEO, "We immediately knew this was an event AdvoCare needed to support and we look forward to presenting more exciting matchups in the years to come."
