May 8, 2009

Special to VirginiaPreps.com

WHARTON, N.J. (May 4, 2009) ? Over 400 of the nation's top prep athletes have been nominated for consideration to play in the 10th anniversary of the U.S. Army All-American Bowl.? Featuring the nation's top prep football stars, the 2010 U.S. Army All-American Bowl will be played on Saturday, January 9, 2010, at 1:00 PM (ET) in San Antonio's Alamodome and broadcast live on NBC.? Throughout the past decade, this premier all-star game has featured the nation's most elite football players, providing a launching pad for college and NFL stars such as Adrian Peterson, Reggie Bush, Vince Young, Tim Tebow and Terrelle Pryor.

For a decade, the U.S. Army All-American Bowl has produced memorable moments for numerous players as they take the national stage for the first time. This year, eight players who took the field as U.S. Army All-Americans were drafted in the first round of the NFL Draft with 21 players overall being drafted. With a deep talent pool of 400 nominees to choose from, 90 athletes will ultimately be selected to continue this proud tradition.

Below, please find the nominees from Virginia who will be vying for inclusion as part of this year's U.S. Army All-American Bowl:

Evan Hailes, DL, Oscar Smith High School (Chesapeake, VA)
Phillip Sims, QB, Oscar Smith High School (Chesapeake, VA)
Brian Laiti, LB, Robinson High School (Fairfax, VA)
Mark Shuman, OL, Fork Union Military Academy (Fork Union, VA)
Bo Revell, QB, Battlefield High School (Haymarket, VA)
Nick Acree, DL, Fork Union Military Academy (Fork Union, VA)
Zack McCray, DL, Brookville High School (Lynchburg, VA)
Travis Williams, LB, Lake Taylor High School (Norfolk, VA)
Zachary Glass, DL, Stuarts Draft High School (Stuarts Draft, VA)
Justin Hunter, WR, Ocean Lakes High School (Virginia Beach, VA)
Aramide Olaniyan, LB, Woodberry Forest High School?(Woodberry Forest, VA)

The U.S. Army All-American Bowl provides senior athletes a national platform to display their talents and strengths against America's best.? An athlete's nomination makes him one of 400 being considered for final selection to play in this classic East vs. West match-up.

"For 10 years, the U.S. Army All-American Bowl has provided the national platform for young adults to reflect the strength of Army Strong Soldiers," said Colonel David Lee, Director of Marketing, US Army Accessions command. "The nomination is great recognition of the leadership qualities a nominee has developed on and off the field as a student-athlete in his community.? The Army is proud to be a partner of the game and congratulates all of the nominees on their selection."

The 2009 U.S. Army All-American Bowl drew a crowd of more than 32,000 to the Alamodome on Jan.3, garnering a 1.7 U.S. household rating on NBC.? The Bowl was the highest-rated sports event of the weekend other than the NFL Playoff games.? The next step for these nominees will kick off in October, when the U.S. Army All-American Bowl Selection Tour begins and runs through December, during which the 90 final players will be announced.

For more information on the U.S. Army All-American Bowl and its related events visit www.usarmyallamericanbowl.com and www.goarmy.com.?