The annual Tazón De Estrellas (Bowl of the Stars), featuring a Global Football-organized squad of select NCAA Division III student-athletes, will be played for the 20th time in Mexico on Saturday, December 16.
The game between America’s Team Stars & Stripes and the CONADEIP All-Stars from Mexico’s private universities was announced today at CETYS University in Tijuana, which will again host the week-long event of team practices, community service and the game.
Global Football President Patrick Steenberge joined Dr. Fernando León García (Rector del Sistema CETYS Universidad), Saúl Castro Verdugo (Director General del Instituto del Deporte y Cultura Física del Estado de Baja California), Jessica Ibarra Ramonet (Directora Zona Costa de CETYS Universidad) and Enrique Lechuga, Director Estatal de Deportes de CETYS Universidad to officially announce the 2017 Tazón De Estrellas.
The success and popularity of the 2015 and 2016 events has led to the return to the pristine CETYS University Tijuana campus and the Margarita Aztiazarán de Fimbres Stadium which is sure to be sold out on December 16. Team Stars & Stripes produced a dramatic comeback victory there in 2015, when a bold two-point conversion call by coach Don De Waard earned the Americans a one-point win.
Coaches wishing to nominate deserving D-III athletes for a place on the Team Stars & Stripes roster should contact Director of Player Personnel & Football Operations John Roslien: RoslienJ@central.edu.
Global Football President and Founder Patrick Steenberge said: “It is amazing to think back 20 years to the start of this annual Division III showcase, the dream of Hall of Fame Coach Ron Schipper from Central College, and to understand that more than 900 top quality young men have had the chance to play against Mexico’s best. We have been to 14 different cities across Mexico, each memorable in many ways. We are eager to honor all these Team Stars & Stripes alumni players and coaches, and to compete on the field against an ever-improving team.”
There is no event or personal experience produced exclusively for NCAA Division III student-athletes eager to travel to face the best college football all-stars from south of the border, and enjoy a full week in Mexico, that can rival the Tazón de Estrellas.
This year a unique gathering of Tazón De Estrellas and Aztec Bowl alumni will celebrate 20 years of Global Football giving NCAA D-III players and coaches an opportunity to play in this special game in Mexico to complete their college careers. Alumni interested in joining the celebrations should contact John Roslien (RoslienJ@central.edu) and visit the Global Football Facebook page for details.
“It is something you will always remember, so definitely, if you get the opportunity, take part in it,” said former NFL running back Fred Jackson of his 2002 experience when he was the game’s MVP. “We played against the national champion team mixed with other all-star players. It was a really good team. I remember how crazy the crowd was and the great team camaraderie.”
The Tazón de Estrellas is the focal point for the Global Football Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit initiative, which assists athletes in meeting the expenses associated with traveling overseas to realize their dreams of competing against other American football enthusiasts and experiencing different cultures. The foundation allows potential benefactors to make charitable donations to offset costs that might otherwise prevent the student athletes from undertaking the trip of a lifetime. To inquire about making a donation to the Global Football Foundation to assist student-athletes, please contact Patrick Steenberge at Patrick@GlobalFootball.com or 817-219-7274.