UNI-Dome to Host the Iowa Shrine Bowl

The Cedar Valley Sports Commission and the University of Northern Iowa Athletic Department have reached an agreement with Iowa Shrine Bowl to host the 41^st annual all-star football classic at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls.  The game will be played Saturday July 27^th, 2013.

The Iowa Shrine Bowl is presented by the four Shrine Centers in Iowa (Abu Bekr Shriners – Sioux City, El Kahir Shriners – Cedar Rapids, Kaaba Shriners – Davenport and Za-Ga-Zig Shriners – Altoona) and is a major fundraiser for the Shriners Hospital for Children.  The all-star football game features 92 select pre-college players and 60 cheerleaders.  The players are selected by a process of nomination by coaches, balloting by state-wide sports media professionals, and official invitation from a representative of the Iowa Shrine Bowl.

Cedar Valley Sports Commission Executive Director Jim Marlin says the Cedar Valley is extremely fortunate for the opportunity to host the event.  “This is an event that will have a major economic impact in the Cedar Valley,” Marlin said.  “But more importantly, it is an honor to be able to work closely with the Shriners to benefit the Hospital for Children.”

UNI Athletic Director Troy Dannen adds that it’s important to remember what the Shrine Bowl is really about.  “While the UNI-Dome offers a great environment for the final high school competition for the participants, Dannen says, “The University recognizes the Shrine Bowl is much more than just a football game.  The education the participants receive through what is often their first experience with less fortunate young children lasts a lifetime.  More importantly, the benefit for the Shriners Children’s Hospitals is the great legacy of the Shrine Bowl, and the University looks forward to the opportunity to assist the enhancement of this legacy.”

The Shrine Bowl has been played at Jack Trice Stadium at Iowa State University in Ames for the past twelve years, but was forced to find a new home beginning in 2013 due to new NCAA rules.  “We have had a good run at Iowa State University and made many friends but we are really looking forward to our new adventure with UNI,”  Said Shrine Bowl General Manager Jerry Hoffman.  “It will be a great time to work with the community, the area businesses, and the University to provide a quality football game because our goal and mission is to raise funds for our shrine hospitals and transportation funds.”

In addition to the game itself, the week-long event will feature a mini-camp for hospital children, a recognition banquet for the players and cheerleaders and a parade featuring Shriners from all across Iowa.

All-American Bowl Coming to the UNI Dome

Press Release

2012 All American Bowl Football All Star Game to be played at UNI Dome

Eden Prairie, Minnesota March 27, 2012 --- The sixteenth annual All American Bowl College All Star football classic will be played Saturday April 14, 2012 at University of Northern  Iowa, UNI Dome in Cedar Fall, Iowa, kick-off at 6:05 PM.

This year’s game will showcase some of the nation’s top Division II and III college seniors and free agent football players, hosted by the Cedar Valley Sports Commission. The players are selected for their outstanding football careers and with the game being played in beautiful Cedar Falls/Waterloo, Iowa the concentration of players will be coming from mid-west football teams. Pregame events: Include a combine with Quarterback, Wide Receiver and Kicking Challenges and a singing competition to perform the National Anthem at the game.

Here are a few of the top players set to play in this year’s game at the UNI Dome:

Danny Stiefel, who has won 26 games in 32 starts as quarterback at Saginaw Valley State and Wartburg College, while passing for over 6,000 yards in his career; Anthony Rouba DE Defensive Player of the Year from Saint Joseph College; Josh Coyle OL Quincy University; James Allen OL Monmouth; Mike Kettmann DT Monmouth; Jeremy Snead Wide Receiver from Central College; Reginald Berry OL, Bowie State; Jermar Jackson QB U of Dubuque/Dubuque Bruiser and Marcus Price RB -Worcester.

Over 200 players have gone on to further their football careers after playing in the All American Bowl including:

Chris Hanson, a punter from Marshall University who had a 12 year pro career with the New England Patriots.  Josh Neiswander, a quarterback from Angelo State who now plays with the Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League.  Maurice Hicks, a running back from Montgomery College, who signed as an undrafted free-agent with the Chicago Bears and also played for the San Francisco 49ers and the Minnesota Vikings;

A spokesman for All American Bowl commented:

“For the fans in and around Cedar Falls/Waterloo the All American Bowl is an opportunity to see outstanding football and for the players the game could be the culmination of a great football career or the beginning of a new one”

About the All American Bowl

The All American Bowl began in 1996 in Minnesota; It is designed to bring together the country’s top Division II and III college seniors and free agents to compete in an All-Star bowl setting. The All American Bowl has been held annually the third weekend in December at Mall of America Field at the HHH Metrodome, as well as several other great locations across the country like, Atlanta, Las Vegas, Dayton Beach and Miami, Florida and now Cedar Falls/Waterloo. For more information go to www.allamericanbowl.com

Media Enquiries:

Terry Sullivan                                                                  Jim Marlin

All American Bowl                                                          Cedar Valley Sports Commission

575-3AA-BOWL                                                               (319) 493-5371

admin@allamericanbowl.com                                       jim@cedarvalleysports.org

Cedar Valley Named 'Destination to Watch'

Congratulations to the Cedar Valley Sports Commission, Waterloo Convention and Visitors Bureau and Cedar Falls Tourism and Visitors Bureau for their recent recognition as a Sports Events Magazine's 2011 Outstanding Destination to Watch. The Cedar Falls and Waterloo area was honored for excellence within the destinations and venues for hosting sporting events due to their willingness to go above and beyond the normal service levels expected by providing both the physical attributes and commitment to hospitality and service that today's discriminating sports events planners demand.