Manning

The Automotive Service Association (ASA), sponsor of the recently created Automotive Service & Repair Week (ASRW), as well as the International Autobody Congress & Exposition (NACE) and the Congress of Automotive Repair & Service (CARS), is pleased to announce that Archie Manning, All-American quarterback and NFL MVP, will be the 2008 keynote speaker at the Opening General Session to take place Thursday morning, Nov. 6. DuPont Performance Coatings is the sponsor of the Opening General Session that will be held during the NACE and CARS co-located events at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas Nov. 5-8.

“When people think of Archie Manning, they think football. But Manning’s appeal transcends his athletic achievements and it is with great pride that DuPont will sponsor him as this year’s keynote speaker,” said Mark Wagner, vice president, Refinish Americas, DuPont Performance Coatings.

People far and wide have been inspired by Manning’s personality, drive and humor. He was recently selected as one of 10 outstanding New Orleanians by Family Service of Greater New Orleans and named Hornblower of the Year by the Public Relations Society of America. He currently serves in public relations and consulting capacities for several local, regional and national companies. For 25 years he hosted four Archie Manning Cystic Fibrosis benefit golf tournaments in Louisiana and Mississippi and is active in a wide variety of charitable and civic causes.

While attending the University of Mississippi, Manning was named an All-American quarterback and is the only Ole Miss player to have his number retired. He was voted Mississippi’s Greatest All-Time Athlete in 1992, and recently named Mississippi’s Most Popular Athlete of the Century. He was elected to the 50-Year All-South Team (1940-1990), named one of the Top 25 Athletes of the Century in Louisiana and along with his son Peyton, was named among the 100 All-Time Greatest College Football Players. Manning was inducted into the National Football Foundation College Hall of Fame, and is a member of other Halls of Fame, including Louisiana and Mississippi.

In 1971, Manning was the second player chosen in the NFL draft – the No. 1 draft choice of the New Orleans Saints. He set Saints’ passing records, played in two Pro Bowls and was named the NFL Most Valuable Player in 1978.

He was the first player in Saints history to be inducted into the Louisiana Superdome Wall of Fame. He concluded his 15-year career in 1985. During his career as an all-star athlete, Manning was also drafted four times by major league baseball.

Manning and his wife, Olivia, reside in New Orleans and have three sons, Cooper, Peyton and Eli. Cooper is an institutional broker in New Orleans. Peyton is a former All-American at Tennessee. As quarterback for the Indianapolis Colts he was named MVP in the National Football League in 2003 and 2004 and was named All-Pro in 2003, 2004 and 2005. Also, in 2004 he broke Dan Marino’s record by throwing for 49 touchdowns and recently won the Walter Payton award as the “NFL Man of the Year.” Eli set 47 school records as quarterback of the Ole Miss Football team and in 2003 received the Maxwell Trophy as the Outstanding Player in College Football. Eli is the quarterback of the New York Giants and was the No. 1 selection in the 2004 NFL Draft.

Archie Manning and Peyton have written a book titled Manning: A Father, His Sons and A Football Legacy. He and his boys also operate the Manning Passing Academy, a summer camp for high school quarterbacks and receivers. In honor of the Mannings’ college football accomplishments, the Sugar Bowl has created the Manning Award to go to the nation’s best college quarterback.

Prior to Manning’s keynote address, Darrell Amberson, AAM, NACE 2008 event chairman, and Aaron Clements, AAM, CARS 2008 event chairman, will take the stage, sharing their views, comments and direction of the state of today’s industry – both the
collision and mechanical segments.