Winner Marks First in Dealership’s 15 Years of Supporting the Tar Heels

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – Robert Bates of Lexington, N.C. is the fortunate recipient of a 2017 Honda Accord following the Carolina Tar Heels’ performance in their opening weekend of football against the Georgia Bulldogs on September 3 in Atlanta.

img_0704Bates, a 1984 graduate of UNC Chapel Hill, entered for a chance to win the new Accord prior to that game at Crown Honda of Southpoint, a long-time partner of the Carolina Tar Heels. Fans are encouraged to enter each week for the opportunity to win a brand-new car, given to one winner at random should the Tar Heels score a touchdown from a kickoff return at either the beginning of the first or second half when Carolina receives the ball. The Tar Heels did in fact return the opening kickoff for a touchdown in the second half of their contest with Georgia – providing that opportunity for a fan to win the 2017 Honda Accord. Bates winning off that play marks the first car given away in the promotion’s 15-year run.

Tar-Heel-Sports-Properties---SLIDER“I would like to thank Crown Honda of Southpoint and Tar Heel Sports Properties for making this awesome opportunity available to Tar Heel football fans. I was fortunate to be in Atlanta for the game and witness the touchdown return in-person,” said Bates. “Imagine my excitement when Jones Angell announced that I had won a new car.”

Bates and his family were recognized on the field prior to Carolina’s home game against the Pittsburgh Panthers at Kenan Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 24. “My family is so appreciative, and we look forward to enjoying our new Honda and Carolina football for many years to come. Go Heels!” he added.

“I’m proud of our partnership we have had with Tar Heel Sports Properties and the University of North Carolina for over 15 years,” said Crown Honda of Southpoint General Manager Scott Washle. “The 2017 Honda Accord give away is just another way we can highlight our combined passion for Carolina Tar Heel Athletics and our combined commitments to the athletes, their families and their fans.”

img_3316Washle added, “Anytime during a football game, when a player scores a touchdown during a kick return, it’s a big deal. Equally, we were thrilled to participate in that event by awarding the winner of the contest with a brand new car. With both alumni and family members currently attending UNC, the Bates came to our showroom and hand-picked the exact car that met their needs, and we’re confident that they will have years of reliable use from it. We had a great time getting to know one another and discuss our common passion for UNC sports, and I’m so thankful to have them as part of the Crown Honda of Southpoint family.”

“One of the many components of our university relationship is to continually identify companies and businesses that want to align with the Tar Heels and create innovative opportunities that make sense for both,” said Chuck Schroeder, general manager for Tar Heel Sports Properties, a Learfield property and UNC Athletics’ long-time multimedia rights partner. “We’re grateful for the commitment of area businesses like Crown Honda of Southpoint that have been an avid supporters of the Tar Heels for a very long time. They are tremendous partners, and were thrilled to work with Robert Bates and his family in the showroom.”

An industry leader for more than four decades, Learfield has a deep presence in the college athletics landscape nationwide. In addition to UNC, it manages the multimedia and sponsorship rights for 120 collegiate institutions, conferences and arenas, and supports athletic departments at all competitive levels as title sponsor of the prestigious Learfield Directors’ Cup. Learfield also provides its collegiate partners access to professional concessions and ticket sales; licensing and trademark consulting; digital platform expertise; and venue and technology systems through its affiliated companies.