Bragging rights & beer freebies

Auburn wins Southeastern Conference turtle races (we think) while A&M andMissouri alums learn to slow down

The turtle from Auburn University received the most wins — and the alumni, themost free beer.
Photo by Walker Agnew, Jr.
Alumni from the 14 Southeastern Conference schools gathered around to root theirteam on.
Photo by Walker Agnew, Jr.

Ties run strong in the Southeastern Conference, whether you're rooting for your team or your, um, turtle. The Houston SEC Alumni group took over the turtle races at Little Woodrow's in Midtown last week, emblazoning university logos on those little slimy shells and watching them scramble.

There were no titles or rankings at stake; just bragging rights and beer freebies.

Since the Houston SEC Alumni group's formation in the spring of 2011, the individual alumni groups of the 12 SEC schools have taken turns hosting happy hours, sometimes purely social in scope but often incorporating a philanthropic component.

Last Thursday, revelers welcomed alumni from Texas A&M and the University of Missouri into the fold, bringing the number up to 14 schools — but with only 10 turtles available to race, the Auburn University alumni chapter (this month's host) decided to preface the races with a donation-based water bottle collection contest.

More than 40 cases of water bottles were collected from more than 600 attendees — one of Little Woodrow's best turtle races turnouts to-date — and donated to the Houston Area Women's Center.

And who won?

"I believe Auburn won the most, followed by LSU, Ole Miss and Tennessee. Not for certain on the other schools, because I really only kept track of how many free beers I (Auburn) won," wrote Dion Aviki, Auburn chapter member, in an email.

Do you think that this turtle race will predict the outcome of the 2012 football season?

unspecified

chill out

Houston Astros ballpark gets cool new name for the next 15 years

Courtesy of the Houston Astros

The Astros' stadium will have a new name in 2025.

The Houston Astros are about to have the coolest ballpark in Major League Baseball. The team announced on Monday, November 18 that its has reached a naming rights agreement HVAC manufacturer Daikin Comfort Technologies North America, Inc.

Beginning on January 1, 2025, the stadium will be known as Daikin Park (die-kin). Scheduled to run through the 2039 season, the new name replaces Minute Maid Park, which has been the stadium’s name since 2002. It opened in 1999 as Enron Field.

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Astros fans online are already calling the new stadium “The Ice Box,” replacing its informal “The Juice Box” moniker. That name feels likely to stick.

Japan-based Daikin Industries is a leading manufacturer of HVAC systems. It sells air conditioning units and other products under brand names such as Daikin, Goodman, Amana® and Quietflex. Critically, it operates Daikin Texas Technology Park in nearby Waller, which is the largest HVAC manufacturing facility in North America. The company employs approximately 10,000 people in Greater Houston, according to a release.

“We are excited to be partnering with Daikin for our ballpark’s naming rights,” Astros owner Jim said. “Daikin is an international company that proudly calls the Greater Houston area its North American home. The Houston Astros and Daikin share the same values, a commitment to excellence and a desire to give back to our local community. As we celebrate the 25th anniversary of this ballpark in 2025, I am proud to have Daikin alongside us to create even more special memories for our fans now and in the future.”

The Astros will use the revenue for new stadium amenities and other upgrades. It will also continue the team’s various community initiatives. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. the Houston Chronicle notes that naming rights deals may be worth anywhere from $3.5 million per year (T-Mobile park in Seattle) to $11 million per year for the Texas Rangers’ Globe Life Field.

The team’s first game in Daikin Park will take place on Monday, March 24, which it plays an exhibition against its Triple-A affiliate, the Sugar Land Space Cowboys. It will open the regular season on Thursday, March 27 against the New York Mets.

“Daikin fit all of the criteria we set out to find in a naming rights partner,” Astros senior vice president Matt Brand added. “Their name and reputation fit our iconic downtown Houston home, and their values mesh perfectly with those of the Astros. We are grateful to partner with the entire Daikin team and to help them succeed in their business goals. Daikin Park will be a special place for our fans for many years to come.”

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