WEDNESDAY, OCT. 15, 2008
Archie Manning
Will Open ASRW

Archie Manning 2008 ASRW Keynote Speaker

Archie Manning - who "Bear" Bryant said was the best college quarterback he would ever see play - will be the keynote speaker at Automotive Service & Repair Week (ASRW).

Manning will speak at the opening general session scheduled 8:30 to 10 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 6.

He was the starting quarterback at Ole Miss for three years. In the first national prime-time broadcast of a college football game (1969), Manning threw for 436 yards and three touchdowns. He also rushed for 104 yards, in a heartbreaking 33-32 loss to Alabama (for which "Bear" Bryant was coach).

Considered by many besides Bryant as one of the greatest college quarterbacks ever, Manning is a member of the College Football Hall of Fame, Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame, Ole Miss Sports Hall of Fame, Ole Miss Team of the Century, and first-team All America selection. He also had a 13-year career in the NFL, and was MVP of the NFL in 1989 while playing for the New Orleans Saints.

Today, Manning makes his home in New Orleans, although he also owns a condo in Oxford, Miss., to which he relocated following Hurricane Katrina. He is involved as a sports commentator and as a spokesman for products in Southeast Louisiana. In 2007, Manning was awarded the Silver Buffalo Award by the Boy Scouts of America, the highest award given for service to youth on a national basis.

Manning met his wife, Olivia, at Ole Miss. She was Homecoming Queen her senior year. They have three sons. Two of them, Peyton and Eli, are highly successful quarterbacks who have made names for themselves in college and professional football. The oldest son, Cooper, was an outstanding high school athlete who was selected to the all-state team, but as a freshman at Ole Miss in 1992, he was diagnosed with spinal stenosis, thus ending his NFL aspirations.

All of the Mannings' football accomplishments are impressive and Archie Manning will share inspiring experiences from his own football career and life afterward for the benefit of NACE and CARS attendees who attend the opening session for ASRW.

As a bonus, AutoInc. shares his answers to some questions from our editorial staff:

AutoInc.: Do you take your vehicle(s) to the dealership or an independent shop? Just curious.

Manning: Actually both. One is closer than the other and it depends on time and convenience.

AutoInc.: As a former NFL quarterback, you've seen your share of successes and failures. What do you think is one core value that every successful businessperson should possess?

Manning: A great attitude - smile and be upbeat!

AutoInc.: A lot of our member-businesses are family-owned and I know you and your sons work together on numerous projects. What is your advice on a successful working relationship with family?

Manning: From the father's standpoint, everyone is equal and treated equally.

AutoInc.: How important is it for a business to give back to its community?

Manning: Very important - it's a must if you are going to be around awhile.

AutoInc.: Football requires a lot of planning and last-minute audibles, much like running a small business. What is some advice you would give for remaining flexible in your job?

Manning: Most innovations in products and services come about because of the demand for flexibility. Opportunities are first recognized by flexible people.

AutoInc.: What are some similarities in what it takes to succeed in football and what it takes to succeed in the challenging (and competitive) automotive service and repair industry?

Manning: a. Leadership, b. Teamwork, c. Play - Work hard every day.