March 26, Ottawa, ON - Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) is pleased to announce that activities surrounding the first annual East-West Bowl will kick-off on Tuesday, May 6 at Wilfrid Laurier University in Kitchener-Waterloo, Ontario.

The East-West Bowl, in partnership with the NFL and CFL, will bring together 84 of the top University football players in the country for a week of practices and evaluation, culminating in the East-West Bowl game at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 10.

A National committee of CIS head coaches selected the players, who were first nominated by their respective teams. The East-West Bowl is designed as a showcase for athletes entering their CFL draft-year in 2004 but the rosters will be complimented with players entering into their second, third and fifth years who have not yet been drafted.

The East team will be coached by Blake Nill of the Vanier Cup champion Saint Mary’s University Huskies, while the West team will be coached by Brian Towriss of the Vanier Cup finalist University of Saskatchewan Huskies. The East team will be comprised of players from the 13 CIS football playing schools East of Toronto (including York University and University of Toronto), while the West team will be comprised of the 13 CIS football playing schools located West of Toronto (including McMaster University).

“This is a great opportunity to showcase the talent we have in Canadian University Football to both CFL and NFL coaches and scouts” said Event Director Greg Marshall, also head coach of the McMaster University Marauders. “It is also an opportunity for the Canadian football coaching fraternity to share ideas and develop stronger professional working relationships.”

Former Minnesota Vikings Head Coach Dennis Green will be on-hand to act as a honourary guest coach along with current Toronto Argonaut assistant Adam Rita. As part of the East-West Bowl week activities there will also be an NFL/CFL Coaches Clinic held on the Wilfrid Laurier University campus on May 9 and 10. Coaches from the NFL, CFL and CIS will join the honourary coaches in conducting seminars and demonstrations for minor and high school coaches over the two-day period, including a banquet on Friday evening where Coach Green will be the keynote speaker. For information on how to register for the clinic, visit www.eastwestbowl.com.

For more information on the 2003 East-West Bowl, visit www.eastwestbowl.com or call (519) 884-0710 ext. 3404.

For more information, please contact:

Greg Marshall
East-West Bowl Director
(905) 525-9140 ext. 23276

Michel Bélanger
Media and Publications Manager
Canadian Interuniversity Sport
Ph: (613) 562-5670 ext. 25
Cell: (613) 447-6334
belanger@universitysport.ca