Shrine Bowl on ESPNU

Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas picks up sponsor, to be televised by ESPNU

December 11, 2008North Carolina


Click to view the gallerySPARTANBURG, S.C. - The Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas, presented by BI-LO supermarkets, is set on go for the 72nd year. Kindly referred to as "America's All-Star Game" the Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas is shaping up to be quite the spectacle as the talent level on the field features an array of players sure to make some noise at the next level.

The Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas, presented by BI-LO, is the oldest prep football all-star game in America. The annual classic, established in 1937, pits the top 44 athletes from North Carolina against the top 44 athletes from the state of South Carolina. The 72nd game will be played at Gibbs Stadium on the campus of Wofford College in Spartanburg, S.C., on Saturday, December 20, 2008, with kickoff slated for 1 p.m. This game, unlike those before it, has added a few wrinkles to the playbook.

For the first time in the history of the game, select athletes from both the North Carolina and South Carolina teams will receive the opportunity to announce to the world where they intend to play their collegiate ball. In addition, this year's tape delayed broadcast will air on ESPNU. The first airing will commence on Wednesday, January 7, 2009 at 10 p.m. EST.

"I think it is safe to say that every young man growing up playing football in the Carolinas dreams of playing on the big stage," said Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas Chairman of the Board Billy Benfield.

"Thanks to ESPNU, all 80 eight players selected for this year's game will experience that thrill. In addition, fans from all corners of the Carolinas will have an opportunity to watch the game on a premier network the likes of ESPNU."

This year's game has yet another first. BI-LO will serve as the game's "presenting sponsor" as BI-LO has stepped up in a major way to support this great game steeped in tradition and pageantry.

"I can't understate how important BI-LO has been in taking our game to the next level," Benfield said. "We are dedicated to uncovering new avenues to enhance the overall game experience for the participating student-athletes, as well as fans, and BI-LO has provided a major step forward in this endeavor through its partnership. We are extremely appreciative of their support."

General admission tickets are currently available at all BI-LO stores in North and South Carolina. Tickets may also be purchased from the Shrine Bowl office in advance at $20.00 for the reserve section and $10.00 general admission. On game day, reserve section tickets will be $25.00 and general admission seats will cost $15.00. Stop in your local BI-LO store or order over the phone at 1-800-648-2695 or online at www.shrine-bowl.com <http://www.shrine-bowl.com/> .