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Under Armour All-America High School Football Game Moving to New Venue -- Florida Citrus Bowl Stadium, Jan. 4, 2009. ESPN to Televise Second Annual Event in Prime Time

The second annual Under Armour All-America High School Football Game, an ESPN and Intersport owned-and-operated all-star football competition spotlighting the nation’s top high school seniors, will be played at a new venue – Florida Citrus Bowl Stadium on Sunday, Jan. 4, 2009.  The announcement was made today by Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer and Rosalyn Durant, vice president and general manager, ESPNU, at a press conference at Orlando’s City Hall. 

The inaugural game was played at Disney’s Wide World of Sports Complex (DWWS), which will continue to host the event’s Burger King Skills Challenge and practice sessions.  In addition, the game is moving to Sunday in prime time as part of a new, expanded three-hour window (8-11 p.m. ET) on ESPN.  Last year, the event was televised in a two-hour Saturday afternoon window on ABC. 

“Utilizing two high-quality athletic venues such as Florida Citrus Bowl Stadium and Disney’s Wide World of Sports Complex demonstrates our commitment to grow the Under Armour All-America High School Football Game into an unforgettable experience for the participants and fans,” said Durant.  “We have a great event team in place and a wonderfully supportive host city, which will allow us to connect more directly with the athletic community and fans.”

“The City of Orlando is proud to host the 2009 Under Armour All-American High School Football Game, focusing the attention of football enthusiasts from across the country here on Orlando,” said Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer.  “This game further demonstrates the City’s commitment to draw leading sporting events to the Florida Citrus Bowl.”

“Moving this year’s game to the Citrus Bowl will add to the great excitement and buzz surrounding the event,” said Steve Battista, Under Armour Senior Vice President, Brand.  “It’s the ideal venue to introduce the nation to the young high school football players who are primed to make an impact on the college game in 2009.”

Added Dan Jones, Intersport’s Senior Vice President of Events: “The Under Armour All-America High School Football game assembles the best high school football players in the nation, so bringing the game to one of the most nationally recognized venues in the sport is a perfect fit.  We’re excited to give Orlando residents and high school football fans across the state the chance to see these players perform in January.”

National recruiting analysts and talent evaluators from ESPN Scouts, Inc., will select players for both team rosters.  A total of 80 players will be invited, with all them having the opportunity to also participate in a televised skills competition and other ancillary events held at Disney’s Wide World of Sports Complex, the leading venue for amateur and professional sports in the country.  ESPNU will once again televise six hours of practice from the Disney’s Wide World of Sports Complex, which is being re-branded with the ESPN brand in 2009.

Thus far, 70 players have accepted invitations to participate in the 2009 Under Armour All-America High School Football Game, including quarterback and USC commit Matt Barkley (Mater Dei HS, Santa Ana, Calif.), Marlon Brown (WR – Harding Academy, Memphis, Tenn.); Garrett Gilbert (QB – Lake Travis HS, Austin, Texas); Trent Richardson (RB – Escambia HS, Pensacola, Fla.), Jacobbi McDaniel (DT – Madison County HS, Madison, Fla.), Russell Shepard (QB – Cypress Ridge HS, Houston) and Manti Te’o (OLB – Punahou HS, Honolulu).  To view the roster of players who have committed to date, please visit http://insider.espn.go.com/ncf/recruiting/tracker/underarmourgame. Teams and coaches will be assigned on a later date.

Tickets for this year’s game can be purchased online beginning Aug. 31 at http://www.ticketweb.com.

Visit http://www.espnmediazone.com for ESPN’s latest releases, schedules, news, photos, video and audio clips, and more.

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