OTTAWA  – Laurent Duvernay-Tardif, an offensive tackle from McGill University, and Evan Gill, a defensive tackle from the University of Manitoba will represent CIS football in the 89^th edition of the prestigious East-West Shrine Game on Saturday, January 18, 2014 at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida.

Kickoff is scheduled for 4 p.m. EST, live on NFL Network. The game will also be streamed online atwww.shrinegame.com.

The longest running university all-star game in the United States, the Shrine Game has been played annually since 1925 to raise funds for Shriners Hospitals for Children and to raise awareness about the expert orthopedic, burn, spinal cord injury rehabilitation, as well as cleft lip and palate care, available to patients and families through the 23 Shriners Hospitals for Children in the USA, Canada and Mexico.

Since 1985, CIS has been represented annually – usually by two players – at the event which features over 100 all-stars, primarily from NCAA institutions, with the exception of 1985 (one CIS player), 2008 (4) and 2012 (3).

The impressive list of past CIS standouts invited to the Shrine Game includes current NFL defensive linemen Israel Idonije of the Detroit Lions and Akiem Hicks of the New Orleans Saints, who starred for the Manitoba Bisons and Regina Rams, respectively; former NFLers Mike Schad (Queen’s), Randy Chevrier (McGill), Dan Federkeil (Calgary) and Samuel Giguère (Sherbrooke); as well as Hec Crighton Trophy winners Don Blair (Calgary), Kojo Aidoo (McMaster), Jesse Lumsden (McMaster) and Andy Fantuz (Western).

Highlighting the list of NFL greats who have participated in the event are Tom Brady, Brett Favre, John Elway, Gale Sayers, Dick Butkus, Kellen Winslow and Larry Csonka. A total of 71 Shrine Game alumni have gone on to become NFL Hall of Famers.

Duvernay-Tardif, a native of St. Hilaire, Que., will be the fourth McGill star to suit up in the Shrine Game, joining defensive lineman Randy Chevrier (2001) and offensive linemen Matthieu Quiviger (1995) and Val St. Germain (1994). The three previous honourees all went on to play in the CFL, with Chevrier also enjoying a stint in the NFL with Dallas and Cincinnati after being drafted by Jacksonville.

In his fourth university campaign, Duvernay-Tardif received the J.P. Metras Trophy as the top down lineman in CIS football and was also the RSEQ conference nominee for the Russ Jackson Award (football, academics & citizenship). Named a first-team all-Canadian for the second straight season, the 22-year-old medical student was listed as the top-rated prospect for the 2014 CFL draft by the league’s Scouting Bureau, back in September. In October, he was selected as a Top Eight Academic All-Canadian out of over 11,000 CIS student athletes.

This fall, the 6-foot-5, 305-pound senior helped the Redmen finish first in the RSEQ in completion percentage (61.0) and second in both total yards (487.2 per game) and passing yards (326.9). He was also a major factor in the ground game as teammate Luis Guimont-Mota took the Quebec rushing crown and placed sixth in the country with 828 yards in eight contests, becoming the first McGill back to lead the RSEQ in rushing since Nick Hoffmann in 2002.

Over the past few months, the Redmen co-captain has also generated interest from five NFL teams, including the New York Jets, Houston, Tennessee, Green Bay and Chicago.

“Laurent has a tremendous work ethic and a quiet confidence that makes him a natural leader,” said McGill head coach Clint Uttley. “Size and strength is a big factor in success on the o-line but when you find someone that possesses the combination of brains, brawn and nastiness that Laurent has on the field, then you’ve got a real keeper and he has all those tools. He’s the kind of guy other players hate. He’s mean out there. He looks to break their spirit and touch their soul. I believe that he will have a good pro career, whether it be in the CFL or NFL.”

Gill, who hails from Winnipeg, is the third Manitoba player to be selected for the Shrine Game, after Idonije (2003) and defensive lineman Jason Rauhaus (1992).

In his third season with the Bisons, his second at the tackle position after starting his university career as a defensive end in 2011, Gill was named a Canada West all-star for the first time after he racked up three quarterback sacks and 7.5 tackles – second best in the conference – to finish the campaign with 28.5 tackles in eight league games. The 21-year-old arts student also broke two passes, forced a fumble and blocked a kick on special teams as he helped Manitoba reach the Canada West Hardy Cup final for the first time since 2007.

The 6-foot-3, 280-pound junior, who has not missed a conference or playoff contest since he joined the Bisons, represented the U of M last spring at the CIS East-West Bowl prospect game. He also competed at the 2012 International Bowl in Texas, helping the World Team to a 35-29 upset with over the USA.

“I am proud and excited for Evan to receive this recognition,” said Manitoba head coach Brian Dobie. “He has been an important part of our Bison success over the last few seasons and he will have a fantastic opportunity to showcase his tremendous skill and talent at the East-West Shrine Game.”

In St. Petersburg, Duvernay-Tardif and Gill will suit up for the East and West, respectively, and will get a chance to play for a pair of high-profile coaches.

The East team will be led for the second straight year by Jerry Glanville, whose coaching career in the NCAA and NFL spanned over five decades. The 72-year-old got his start at Western Kentucky in 1967 and landed his first job in the professional ranks with the Detroit Lions in 1974. He would remain in the NFL until 1993, including head coaching stints with Houston (1986-1989) and Atlanta (1990-1993). After 12 years away from the sidelines, Glanville returned to the NCAA for two seasons as defensive coordinator at Hawaii (2005-2006) and three campaigns as head coach with Portland State (2007-2009).

In charge of the West troops, Romeo Crennel is also back for a second tour of duty, having guided the East squad back in 2010. Crennel spent 31 years as an NFL coach and won five Super Bowls as an assistant. The 66-year-old claimed his first two NFL championships in 1986 and 1990 as an assistant with Bill Parcells’ New York Giants and helped the New England Patriots to Super Bowl victories in 2001, 2003 and 2004 as defensive coordinator under Bill Belichik. The NFL’s assistant coach of the year in 2003, Crennel had a four-season stint as head coach of the Cleveland Browns from 2005 to 2008 and was also at the helm of the Kansas City Chiefs in 2011 (interim) and 2012.

For all the information on the 2014 East-West Shrine Game: www.shrinegame.com

 

Western CIS players in the East-West Shrine Game

 

Year     Player                                          Pos.     Ht.       Wt.      University           Head Coach

 

2014     Evan Gill                                      DL       6-3       280      Manitoba              Brian Dobie

2013     Kirby Fabien                                OL       6-6       295      Calgary                Blake Nill

2012     Ben Heenan                                  OL       6-4       310      Saskatchewan      Brian Towriss

2012     Akiem Hicks                                DL       6-5       300      Regina                  Frank McCrystal

2011     Anthony Parker                            SB        6-2       215      Calgary                Blake Nill

2010     Jordan Sisco                                 SB        6-1       212      Regina                  Frank McCrystal

2009     Simeon Rottier                              OL       6-6       286      Alberta                 Jerry Friesen

2008     Dylan Barker                                S          6-4       200      Saskatchewan      Brian Towriss

2008     Brendon LaBatte                          OL       6-4       320      Regina                  Frank McCrystal

2007     Jordan Rempel                             OL       6-6       310      Saskatchewan      Brian Towriss

2006     Daniel Federkeil                           DL       6-7       285      Calgary                Tony Fasano

2005     Nick Johansson                            DL       6-2       275      UBC                     Lou DesLauriers

2004     Ibrahim Khan                               OL       6-4       305      Simon Fraser        Chris Beaton

2003     Israel Idonije                                DL       6-7       285      Manitoba              Brian Dobie

2002     Jason Clermont                             IR        6-1       236      Regina                  Frank McCrystal

2001     Carlo Panaro                                 OL       6-2       281      Alberta                 Tom Wilkinson

2000     Kevin Lefsrud                              OL       6-4       285      Saskatchewan      Brian Towriss

1999     Scott Flory                                    OL       6-4       290      Saskatchewan      Brian Towriss

1998     Bob Beveridge                              OL       6-6       308      UBC                     Casey Smith

1997     Ben Fairbrother                            OL       6-4       305      Calgary                Tony Fasano

1996     Don Blair                                      WR      6-4       280      Calgary                Peter Connellan

1995     Rohn Meyer                                 OL       6-4       280      Calgary                Peter Connellan

1994     Travis Serke                                 OL       6-3       290      Saskatchewan      Brian Towriss

1993     Chris Konrad                                DL       6-3       235      Calgary                Peter Connellan

1992     Jason Rauhaus                              DL       6-1       240      Manitoba              Scott Spurgeon

1991     Mike Pavelec                                OL       6-6       280      Calgary                Peter Connellan

1990     Mark Singer                                  LB       6-0       221      Alberta                 Jim Donlevy

1989     Brent Korte                                   DL       6-1       225      Alberta                 Jim Donlevy

1988     Craig Watson                                OL       6-2       250      Calgary                Peter Connellan

1987     Leo Groenewegen                        OL       6-4       260      UBC                     Frank Smith

1986     Kent Warnock                              DL       6-7       265      Calgary                Peter Connellan

1985     Tom Spoletini                               OL       6-2       270      Calgary               Peter Connellan

 

Eastern CIS players in the East-West Shrine Game

 

Year     Player                                          Pos.     Ht.       Wt.      University           Head Coach

 

2014     Laurent Duvernay-Tardif             OL       6-5       305      McGill                  Clint Uttley

2013     Matt Sewell                                   OL       6-8       335      McMaster             Stefan Ptaszek

2012     Arnaud Gascon-Nadon                 DL       6-3       250      Laval                    Glen Constantin

2011     Matthew O’Donnell                      OL       6-10     340      Queen’s               Pat Sheahan

2010     Matt Morencie                              OL       6-3       290      Windsor               Mike Morencie

2009     Étienne Légaré                              DL       6-4       265      Laval                    Glen Constantin

2008     Éric Maranda                                LB       6-2       228      Laval                    Glen Constantin

2008     Samuel Giguère                            WR      6-0       215      Sherbrooke          André Bolduc

2007     Chris Best                                     OL       6-4       320      Waterloo              Marshall Bingeman       

2006     Andy Fantuz                                 WR      6-4       220      Western                Larry Haylor

2005     Jesse Lumsden                             RB       6-2       226      McMaster             Marcello Campanaro

2004     Carl Gourgues                              OL       6-1       290      Laval                    Glen Constantin

2003     Adam MacDonald                        LB       5-11     215      StFX                     Dennis McPhee

2002     Kojo Aidoo                                  RB       5-11     235      McMaster             Greg Marshall

2001     Randy Chevrier                            DL       6-4       295      McGill                  Charlie Baillie

2000     Kojo Millington                            DL       6-3       245      Wilfrid Laurier     Rick Zmich

1999     Cameron Legault                          DL       6-3       245      Carleton               Donn Smith

1998     Dave Miller-Johnston                   P/K      6-1       180      Concordia            Pat Sheahan

1997     Mark Farraway                             DL       6-5       260      StFX                     John Stevens

1996     Harry Van Hofwegen                   DL       6-4       252      Carleton               Donn Smith

1995     Matthieu Quiviger                         OL       6-5       282      McGill                  Charlie Baillie

1994     Val St. Germain                            OL       6-4       290      McGill                  Charlie Baillie

1993     Mike O’Shea                                LB       6-3       225      Guelph                 Dan McNally

1992     Chris Morris                                 OL       6-6       285      Toronto                Bob Laycoe

1991     Paul Vajda                                    OL       6-2       265      Concordia            Pat Sheahan

1990     Chris Gioskos                               OL       6-3       275      Ottawa                 Jim Daley

1989     Leroy Blugh                                 LB       6-2       230      Bishop’s               Ian Breck

1988     Pierre Vercheval                           OL       6-2       272      Western                Larry Haylor

1987     Louie Godry                                 OL       6-1       240      Guelph                 Dan McNally

1986     Mike Schad                                   OL       6-5       294      Queen’s               Doug Hargreaves

 

Breakdown of CIS players in the East-West Shrine Game (including 2014)

By position

Offensive line       31

Defensive line      16

Receivers                6

Linebackers            5

Running backs        2

Safeties                   1

Kickers                   1

TOTAL:               62

 

By university

Calgary                 11

Saskatchewan         6

Alberta                    4

Laval                      4

McGill                    4

Regina                    4

UBC                       3

Manitoba                3

McMaster                3

Carleton                  2

Concordia               2

Guelph                    2

Queen’s                  2

StFX                       2

Western                  2

Bishop’s                 1

Ottawa                    1

Sherbrooke             1

Simon Fraser           1

Toronto                   1

Waterloo                 1

Wilfrid Laurier        1

Windsor                  1

Total: 62