Marshall University Athletics
Rader Selected to Play in Gridiron Classic
1/14/2004 12:00:00 AM | Football
Rader Selected to Play in Gridiron Classic
1/14/2004
Orlando, Fla. - Marshall University senior tight end Jason Rader has accepted an invitation to participate in The Villages Gridiron Classic College All-Star Game.
"I am excited for Jason and I am looking forward to him doing well in the game," Marshall head coach Bob Pruett said. "He is our fifth player selected for an all-star game this season, and that is an all-time high for Marshall and the Mid-American Conference."
Rader, a St. Albans, W.Va., native, caught 30 passes for 233 yards and three touchdowns in helping Marshall to an 8-4 record this season. The six-foot-four, 260-pound tight end earned honorable mention All-MAC honors for his efforts.
Florida Citrus Sports recently announced a partnership with The Villages, Florida, making "Florida's Friendliest Hometown" the host and title sponsor of the 2004 and 2005 Gridiron Classic College All-Star Game. The game not only serves as a proving ground for NFL hopefuls, but it also generates money for various charitable programs.
The leading cause of the game is the Buoniconti Fund to Cure Paralysis, the Miami Project's national fundraising arm. To date, the Gridiron Classic has raised nearly $1 million for the Buoniconti Fund, the Rotary Foundation and the Florida Citrus Sports Foundation.
Past performers have included current Minnesota Viking quarterback Daunte Culpepper, Denver Bronco running back Mike Anderson and Cleveland Brown safety Anthony Henry just to name a few.
The Villages Gridiron Classic will move from its original home in the Florida Citrus Bowl Stadium located in downtown Orlando to a venue at The Villages. Temporary grandstands will be constructed at The Villages' polo fields around some of the permanent structures at the facility.
Wisconsin head coach Barry Alvarez will lead the north squad, while Georgia head coach Mark Richt will over see the south squad. Rader has not yet been assigned to a team.
The game is set for January 31st at noon and it will be televised live by ESPN.
