MKRob Sports

FIU will be the host of the 12th annual Mercedes Benz College Football All-Star Challenge taped on location at FIU football stadium on Monday, February 1 from 1:00-3:30 p.m. This prestigious event has featured NFL stars such as Drew Brees, Donovan McNabb, Matt Ryan, Reggie Wayne, DeAngelo Williams, Edgerrin James and scores of others. The event will be aired by ESPN on February 5 at 9:00-11:00 p.m. as part of its Super Bowl XLIV coverage in Miami.

“Part of the vision when we built this stadium was to have events such as this,” said FIU Athletic Director Pete Garcia. “We’ve always said FIU stadium is a multi-purpose stadium and we look forward to having more events like this in the near future.”

Nationally televised by ESPN, the skills and drills competition will feature 12 of the finest college football players in the country and future NFL superstars. Confirmed to participate are quarterbacks Tony Pike from Cincinnati, Dan LeFevour from Central Michigan, wide receivers Jordan Shipley from Texas, Mardy Gilyard from Cincinnati, Dez Bryant from Oklahoma State as well as kickers Brett Swensen from Michigan State and St. Thomas Aquinas High School, Hunter Lawrence from Texas and Josh Shene from Mississippi.

“Intersport again is excited to be teaming up with ESPN and our new title sponsor Mercedes Benz for the 12th annual Mercedes Benz College Football All-Star Challenge,” said Intersport Inc. Senior Account Executive Joseph Salituro. “We expect to have the best of the best that college football has to offer and look forward to giving the fans an exciting day of football.”

ESPN announcers Todd McShay, Craig James and former Heisman trophy winner and South Florida resident Desmond Howard will be on hand to call all of the action. Gate 4 and concessions will open at noon and the event is free and open to the public.