History Is Made: American Honey® Hosts First-ever Times Square Kickball Game With Gold Medal Swimmer Ryan Lochte And Pro Football Star Donovan McNabb

NEW  YORK, April 24, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Social Sports like kickball and dodgeball are finally receiving the Broadway treatment they deserve – literally.   

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Bar-sity Athletics history was made in front of thousands of spectators, as Wild Turkey American Honey®, the original flavored bourbon liqueur, hosted the first-ever kickball game in New York City's world famous Times Square to celebrate the launch of the American Honey Bar-sity Athletics social sports initiative.   

The event was co-hosted by swimming star Ryan Lochte and pro football legend Donovan McNabb who served as team captains. They were joined by the 2013 American Honeys and Bar-sity Athletics partner ZogSports participants for an intense kickball game that saw McNabb's team defeat Lochte's by a score of 9-3.  As part of the Bar-sity Athletics launch event, Wild Turkey American Honey made a donation to the Boston-area American Red Cross through Zog Sports' Play for Your Cause charity in support of those who were affected by the Boston Marathon tragedy.

The celebrity kickball game was played in the first-of-its-kind "Bar-sity Stadium" which transformed Times Square into the ultimate social sports venue, complete with a turf-field, cheerleaders, scoreboard, music and fan viewing area.  The event featured the pomp and circumstance of a major league sporting event, complete with team introductions, national anthem and on-field commentary provided by legendary New York-baseball Public Address Announcer Paul Olden.

"Throughout my career I've played in many environments, stadiums and big games, but nothing as unique as an actual kickball stadium in Times Square," said McNabb.  "Being one of the first American Honey Bar-sity athletes is very exciting. We came out victorious today thanks to a true team effort, but win or lose, the thing I love about Bar-sity Athletics is it's all about sharing fun experiences and friendly competition on and off the field."

"One of the things I love so much about being on the USA Swim Team is the camaraderie I have with my fellow teammates and the celebration that comes after a great performance," said Lochte.  "American Honey's Bar-sity social sports program allows everyone to be a star on the field, then revel in those special bonds built around friendly competition."

In addition to the celebrity kickball game, fans in Times Square had the opportunity take their shot at entering the annals of Bar-sity Athletics history by participating in a kickball home run derby and meet and greet with American Honey's own team, the 2013 American Honeys.  Local American Honey Bar-sity Athletics partner ZogSports' teams also showcased their talents at Bar-sity Stadium during exhibition dodgeball and touch football games.  

"Social sports have really been growing over the past ten years, providing shared experiences for young professionals in urban areas nationwide both on the field and at post-game happy hours that have become as much a part of social sports as the games themselves," said Andrew Floor, Group Brand Director, American Honey.  "American Honey's Bar-sity Athletics campaign is a long-term commitment to enhancing both the on-field and post-game experience for hundreds of thousands of social sports participants nationwide."

"Hosting the Bar-sity Athletics launch event on America's grandest stage, Times Square, is only the beginning," added Floor.

The American Honey Bar-sity Athletics platform enhances the on-field and postgame social sports league experience by sparking social alchemy for millions of young professional participants nationwide.  American Honey has partnered with premier social sports leagues and governing bodies, including Zog Sports and the Sport and Social Industry Association (SSIA), to provide league equipment, branded uniforms, sponsored post-game happy hours, social sports-themed packaging and the American Honey Bar-sity Athletics World Championship Tournament in Las Vegas in November 2013. 

For additional information on American Honey, please visit AmericanHoney.com or follow us on Facebook at Facebook.com/AmericanHoney and on Twitter @American­_Honey.    

About American Honey
A pioneer the flavored whiskey category, Wild Turkey American Honey® is an exceptionally smooth liqueur blended with pure honey and Wild Turkey Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey. With delicious notes of sweet honey, caramel and orange highlighted by bourbon tones, American Honey is the sweeter, smoother side of Wild Turkey, with a kick. Uncompromising since 1855, Wild Turkey is the Real Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey. Using only natural processes, Wild Turkey products are aged in new white oak barrels which give them a deep russet color while carrying full flavors of vanilla and caramel. Complementing the classic Wild Turkey 101 Bourbon, several variations of the brand now exist including Wild Turkey Rare Breed™, Kentucky Spirit™, and Russell's Reserve®. Using the same tried and true methods with a little bit of innovation, Wild Turkey is a true American icon, always bearing the mantle of tradition with grace and a noble heritage. For more information: www.americanhoney.com

About Gruppo Campari
Campari America is a wholly owned subsidiary of Davide Campari-Milano S.p.A. (Reuters CPRI.MI - Bloomberg CPR IM).  At the heart of Campari America are two legends in the American spirits industry.  The first, Skyy Spirits, was founded in San Francisco back in 1992 by the entrepreneur who invented iconic SKYY Vodka.  The second is the world-famous Wild Turkey Distillery in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky, where they have been making the world's finest whiskies since the 1800's.  Both companies were purchased by Davide Campari-Milano and together they form Campari America, which has built a portfolio unrivaled in its quality, innovation and style, making it a top choice among distributors, retailers and consumers.  Campari America manages Gruppo Campari's portfolio in the US with such leading brands as SKYY® Vodka, SKYY Infusions®, Campari®, Wild Turkey® Straight Kentucky Bourbon, American Honey®, Russell's Reserve®, Glen Grant® Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Cabo Wabo® Tequila, Espolon® Tequila, Appleton® Estate Rum, Wray & Nephew® Rum, Coruba® Rum, Ouzo 12®, X-Rated® Fusion Liqueur®, Frangelico®, Cynar®, Carolans Irish Cream®, Irish Mist® Liqueur, Sagatiba® Cachaca and Jean-Marc XO Vodka®.  Campari America is also the exclusive US distributor of Bowmore® Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Auchentoshan® Lowland Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Glen Garioch® Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky, McClelland's® Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Flor de Cana® Rum, Midori® Melon Liqueur, Hibiki® Whisky, Hakushu® Single Malt Whisky, and The Yamazaki® Single Malt Whisky.

Campari America is headquartered in San Francisco, California.  More information on the company can be found at www.campariamerica.com, www.facebook.com/campariamerica, Twitter: @CampariAmerica and www.camparigroup.com.  Please enjoy Campari America brands responsibly and in moderation.

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