OTTAWA (CFL.ca wire) -– Canadian Interuniversity Sport, in conjunction with the Canadian University Football Coaches Association (CUFCA), announced Tuesday that McMaster University has been selected to host the sixth annual East-West Bowl at the brand new Ronald V. Joyce Stadium in Hamilton on Sat., May 10, 2008.
This marks the first time that a university is awarded the East-West Bowl following a bidding process.
Wilfrid Laurier hosted the first three editions of the event in Waterloo from 2003 to 2005, before Laval took over in Quebec City the past two years.
“We are looking forward to hosting the CIS student athletes and coaches in the new Ronald V. Joyce Stadium this May,” commented McMaster director of athletics and recreation, Therese Quigley. “The East-West Bowl has developed into an outstanding event and we are delighted to be hosting it in our first year of operation in this outstanding facility.”
“McMaster is excited to host the East-West Bowl. The event offers excellent visibility for CIS players and will provide McMaster an opportunity to showcase our outstanding new stadium,” said McMaster head coach Stefan Ptaszek.
The East-West Bowl, organized in partnership with the CFL and NFL, brings together over 90 of the top CIS football players for a week of practices and evaluation culminating with the annual all-star game. A national committee of CIS head coaches selects the participants from a pool of players nominated by their respective universities.
Every CIS football program is represented by a minimum of three and a maximum of four players who will be eligible for the CFL draft the following year. The East team is comprised of student-athletes representing institutions from the Atlantic and Quebec conferences in addition to Ottawa, Queen’s, York and Toronto, while the West squad is made up of players from universities west of the GTA.
Past participants include Hec Crighton Trophy winners Andy Fantuz of Western Ontario (2005), Jesse Lumsden of McMaster (2004) and Tommy Denison of Queen’s (2003). Windsor’s Daryl Stephenson, the 2006 CIS MVP, was selected for the 2007 edition but missed the game due to an injury.
Tickets for the 2008 East-West Bowl will be included in the McMaster football season ticket package that will be unveiled in the new year.
Tickets for the general public will also be available beginning on April 28 through the East-West Bowl website at www.eastwestbowl.com
Previous East-West Bowl results:
2007 (at Laval): West 22, East 19 (OT)
2006 (at Laval): West 34, East 26 (OT)
2005 (at Laurier): West 34, East 16
2004 (at Laurier): West 21, East 12
2003 (at Laurier): West 10, East 5
