Saturday's East-West Bowl Showcases CIS Talent with CFL Dreams
May 10, 2012 - Canadian Football League (CFL) News Release
LONDON, Ontario -The top CIS football players eligible for next year's CFL Canadian Draft will take centre stage this Saturday afternoon for the 10th annual East-West Bowl at TD Waterhouse Stadium on the campus of Western University.
"This is an important opportunity for our scouts and coaches to see the best of the CIS playing against each other, and it's a showcase for the tremendous quality of football talent here in Canada," said Kevin McDonald, Vice-President of Football Operations for the Canadian Football League.
"The CFL is proud to support the East West Bowl with funding, coaching and officiating support because these young athletes deserve this chance and they are a major part of our future."
Players to watch include the West Team'sSteven Lumbala, a University of Calgary running back and brother of BC Lions fullback Rolly Lumbala, who was a 1st Team All-Canadian in 2011, McMaster University'sMatt Sewell, a 6-8 340 pound offensive lineman who was a key part of the Marauders' 2011 Vanier Cup Championship, and the University of Regina'sStefan Charles, a 6- 5 302 pound defensive lineman and 1st Team All-Canadian touted by some as a potential first overall pick in 2013.
The East Team features the University of Ottawa'sSimon LeMarquand, a wide receiver who was second in the CIS in receiving yards in 2011, Acadia defensive backCameron Wade, another 1st Team All-Canadian, andPatrick Chenard, a Universite de Sherbrooke defensive back who earned 2nd Team All-Canadian honours in 2011.
The West Team is led by Head CoachStefan Ptaszek, who led McMaster to the Vanier Cup last season, while the head coach of the East Team isGlen Constantin, who has guided the Laval Rouge et Or to five national championships in 11 seasons.
CFL Teams have provided position coaches:Dan Dorazio (BC Lions),James Stanley (Toronto Argonauts),Craig Dickenson (Saskatchewan Roughriders),Nelson Martin (Hamilton Tiger-Cats),Mike Gibson (Calgary Stampeders),Mike Sinclair (Montreal Alouettes),Kyle Walters (Winnipeg Blue Bombers) andDerrell Mitchell (Edmonton Eskimos) to coach the players and work with the CIS coaches throughout the week.
These coaches will team up with former Grey Cup Champion and former CFL Coach of the Year coachTom Higgins, currently the CFL's Director of Officiating, and former CFL Head Coach and Defensive Co-ordinatorGreg Marshall to present theEast West Bowl Coaches Clinic May 11 and 12, also at TD Waterhouse Stadium.
The clinic is open to all coaches and the registration fee is just $85. On Friday, registration opens at noon, the first session starts at 1 pm, and the final session is followed by a coaches' social at 10 pm. On Saturday, the clinic runs from 8 a.m. until the start of the East West Bowl game, and admission to the game is included in the clinic registration.
Kickoff for Saturday's East West Bowl Game is at 1 pm, and admission is $22 for adults, $11 for youth (aged 6 to 17), and free for children 5 and under.
The game will be officiated by CIS officials considered top prospects to work at the CFL level, including three who will make their CFL debuts this upcoming season.
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- Saturday's East-West Bowl Showcases CIS Talent with CFL Dreams - CFL
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