LIVINGSTON – The UWA Department of Athletics has announced that RockTenn of Demopolis will be the title sponsor of the Tigers’ football season opener against Shorter Collge. The Aug. 28 game has officially been tabbed the RockTenn Classic according to a Wednesday press release.

“This naming opportunity was made possible through RockTenn’s continued friendship and financial support of The University of West Alabama, and UWA athletics,” the release state.

“RockTenn is our great, great friend here at West Alabama,” said UWA Director of Athletics Dr. E. J. Brophy. “Chuck Smith, Carl Wright and all of the super folks at RockTenn have been so supportive of UWA and we are proud to have their great name attached to this special event in Demopolis. We greatly appreciate RockTenn and all they mean to our region and our University.”

While branding the game with the RockTenn name seemed appropriate for UWA officials, Demopolis Mayor Mike Grayson felt the mantra to be perfect given the city’s status as the host of the contest.

“If you look up corporate citizen in the encyclopedia, it would have a picture of RockTenn,” Grayson said. “You cannot keep track of all of the things they do because they do so much. They go out into the world as citizens of Demopolis. You can’t ask for any better citizens. I think it is totally appropriate.”

RockTenn, which is based in Norcross, Ga., is a leading North American manufacturer of paperboard, containerboard, consumer and corrugated packaging and merchandising displays. Since its founding in 1936, RockTenn has focused on low-cost paperboard and packaging products and services that bring high value to its customers, employees and investors..

The RockTenn Classic will take place at 7 p.m. at Tiger Stadium, marking an occasion Grayson hopes will be the first of many such games in Demopolis.

“I just hope the people of Demopolis are as excited about having an NCAA game in our town as I am,” Grayson said. “This is big.”