FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Clark Teuscher, Sports Information Director, 630-637-5302

Dec. 10, 2010 - North Central College will be represented by two football players at the 2010 Tazon de Estrellas (Bowl of the Stars) All-Star Game on Saturday, Dec. 18 in Toluca, Mexico.

Wide receiver Steve Hlavac and punter Shaun Wild will participate for Team Stars & Stripes in the game against a team of Mexican All-Stars.

The team's roster currently consists of 44 players from 22 NCAA Division III institutions. The College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin is also represented by three players from Augustana College and one from Illinois Wesleyan University.

Team Stars & Stripes will take on the CONADEIP All-Stars on Dec. 18 at Tec de Monterrey Stadium. The CONADEIP League is a national conference of private schools, from which 50 players will be chosen to participate in the game. Team Stars & Stripes will enjoy cultural and educational visits to local attractions such as the Aztec Pyramids of Teotihuacan in addition to its practice schedule in the days leading up to the game.

Hlavac recently finished his career as North Central's all-time leader in receptions (179) and receiving yards (2,574). He was the Cardinals' top receiver for the fourth straight year this season, totaling 43 receptions for 716 yards, and was a First Team All-CCIW selection for the second time and was named the CCIW's Offensive Player of the Week following a Sept. 18 victory over Olivet College.

Wild posted a CCIW-leading 37.1-yard punting average this season, landing 13 of his 37 attempts inside the opponents' 20-yard line. He was named the CCIW Special Teams Player of the Week after North Central's victory over the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire on Sept. 25.

The pair helped lead North Central to a 12-1 finish this season, establishing a new school single-season record for victories. The Cardinals won their fifth consecutive CCIW Championship and advanced to the quarterfinals of the NCAA Division III Championships for the first time.

The inaugural Tazon de Estrellas was held last season, as North Central's Aaron Fanthorpe '10 and Tim Janecek '10 competed for Team Stars & Stripes against the Tec Monterrey All-Stars. Tec Monterrey won the contest, 24-12.

The Tazon de Estrellas replaced the Aztec Bowl, which had been the annual All-Star Game for Division III players until its discontinuation following the 2007 season. With Hlavac and Wild participating in this year's game, North Central has now had 10 players qualify for All-Star competition since 1997.

More information about the event can be found at  www.globalfootball.com and www.facebook.com/TazonDeEstrellas.