BYU Trio to Play in 85th East-West Shrine Game

PROVO, Utah – BYU quarterback Max Hall, defensive end Jan Jorgensen and tight end Dennis Pitta have accepted invitations to play in the 85th East-West Shrine Game on Jan. 23 in Orlando, Fla. The annual East-vs.-West all-star contest will kick off at 3 p.m. EST and be televised nationally on ESPN2.

Hall threw for 33 touchdowns and ranked fourth nationally in passing efficiency this season while leading BYU to an 11-2 record and MAACO Bowl Las Vegas victory over No. 18 Oregon State. Pitta earned consensus All-America honors in 2009 while becoming the NCAA’s all-time leader in receiving yards by a tight end. Jorgensen anchored BYU’s top-30 defense and finished his career tied with TCU’s Jerry Hughes as the Mountain West Conference’s all-time sacks leader.

Hall, Jorgensen and Pitta join an elite list of football greats, such as John Elway, Tom Brady, Brett Favre, and 62 NFL Hall of Famers, who have played in the East-West Shrine Game, America’s longest-running college all-star football game.

“The East-West Shrine Game has always fielded players among college football’s best,” said East-West Shrine Game Executive Director Jack Hart. “With all 32 NFL teams represented by GMs, coaches and scouts during game week, our players have the terrific opportunity to showcase their talents and get their first glimpse of life in the NFL ... ‘Just Like on Sunday.’”

While the teams are divided by East and West, the players come together for the beneficiary of the event, Shriners Hospitals for Children, an international pediatric specialty health care system.

“We hope our supporters all over the country will come out and enjoy this exciting game,” said Douglas E. Maxwell, president and CEO of Shriners Hospitals for Children. “Our health care system depends on the generosity of our supporters, and this game is one of our signature events – all proceeds benefit Shriners Hospitals for Children.”

Those who would like to support the East-West Shrine Game can do the following:

oAttend the East-West Shrine Game in Orlando on Jan. 23 at 3 p.m. EST

oTune in to ESPN2 on Jan. 23 at 3 p.m. EST to watch the live broadcast

oJoin the free East-West Shrine Game Fan Club online at www.shrinegame.com for player and coach updates, Game news, discounts and more

For more information about the East-West Shrine Game, please visit www.shrinegame.com.