LIVESTREAM: Team Stars & Stripes Challenge Mexico’s CONADEIP All Stars In 8th Tazón De Estrellas
The eighth annual Tazón De Estrellas (Bowl of the Stars) kicks off at 2pm PT, 5pm ET, 11pm CET, Saturday, December 17 when Team Stars & Stripes, a squad of 53 college seniors selected from 22 NCAA Division III schools, taken on Mexico’s CONADEIP All-Stars.
Zorros Stadium at CETYS University will host the traditional rivalry, which stretches back to 1997 when organizers Global Football first took a NCAA select team south of the border to compete in the original Aztec Bowl, which was rebranded in 2009.
The game can be viewed via both a live English-language and a live Spanish-language webcast below.
“Each year I am impressed at the quality of young men who coaches nominate from across America to play in this game, and this year’s team is especially impressive as far as their curiosity about Mexico, their eagerness to meet the local people, and their respect for this culture,” said Global Football President and Founder Patrick Steenberge. “A huge thanks to all their coaches and parents who have made this possible for these worthy student athletes.”
Coach DeWaard celebrating after last second victory in 2015
The Americans lead the series 4-3 over their rival in the Tazón de Estrellas and Head Coach Don DeWaard holds a 3-1 record, including a dramatic last minute win in 2015 when the former Central College defensive coordinator chose to go for two points following a touchdown, which resulted in a 15-14 comeback victory.
DeWaard’s coaching staff has seen clear progress from Team Stars & Stripes practices, which began in Mexicali on Monday.
“Our guys on offense are doing well,” said Offensive Coordinator Joe Austin, head coach of Southwestern University. “They are communicating, which is key to our success. It helps having guys that have played with each other in college. We got many things installed and we have all our bases covered. We will have plenty of options on offense during the game.”
Team Stars & Stripes preparing for 2016 Tazón De Estrellas
Rob Cushman (Minnesota-Morris head coach) said of the offensive line:
“We have a very bright group of offensive linemen. They have picked up the system quickly – not many mental errors. We won’t really know until Saturday, but I like who we are and where we are as a group right now.”
Former Coe College head coach Steve Staker is the Team Stars & Stripes Defensive Coordinator and added:
“Our strength on defense appears to be with our linebackers. They are all good. They fill in at the line of scrimmage well. Our defensive line keeps getting better each practice. We should be very good against the run. Overall, we have really good talent and we have good speed at the skill positions. We had seven guys sign up for kickoff return – so that shows that we have a large group of athletes. We’ve got good weapons all over the field.”
The 2015 Tazón de Estrellas was wll attended
The Tazón De Estrellas is much more than an annual football game between American and Mexican rivals, with the squad having arrived in Mexico last weekend to bond as a group, practice daily, discover the local culture and interact with local youth as part of a community project.
The 22 Division III schools represented on the roster are Central College (8 players), Southwestern University (8), Grove City College (4), Lake Forest College (4), Minnesota Morris (4), Delaware Valley University (3), US Merchant Marine Academy (3), Aurora University (2), Augustana College (2), Kalamazoo College (2), Ohio Northern University (2), Trine College (2), Albion College (1), Beloit College (1), Carthage College (1), Loras College (1), Louisiana College (1), Salve Regina University (1), SUNY Maritime College (1), Trinity (1), Wartburg College (1), Wilkes University (1).
View full Team Stars & Stripes roster here.
Watch English-language webast here. Kickoff: Sat. Dec. 17, 2pm PT, 5pm ET, 11pm CET
Watch the Spanish language webcast here. Kickoff: Sat. Dec. 17, 2pm PT, 5pm ET, 11pm CET
About Global Football
Since 1996 Global Football has provided 15,000 amateur football players, coaches, families and fans from 350 schools the opportunity to travel and compete internationally with similar people of differing cultures. During that time they have produced games and tours in 25 countries on 6 continents, including the 2012, 2014 and 2016 high school games staged in Ireland alongside the NCAA college football event. Through these games, clinics and tours the people involved experience and learn about unique lands, fascinating people, and the sports environment in different parts of the world. Global Football has become the world’s largest exporter and producer of American football outside of the USA. Contact Patrick Steenberge:Tel: 817-219-7274 / Email: [email protected]
