Tazón De Estrellas: United States D-III Team Stars & Stripes v. Mexico’s CONADEIP All-stars
United States v. Mexico All-Star Event in Mexico
For the sixth year in succession and for the 17th time since Global Football first took standout football players south of the border in the original Aztec Bowl, a NCAA Division III all-star roster, known collectively as Team Stars & Stripes will take on the CONADEIP All-Stars in the Tazón de Estrellas in Mexico on December 20.
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It is something you will always remember, so definitely, if you get the opportunity, take part in it,” advised Buffalo Bills running back Fred Jackson of his 2002 experience when he was the game’s MVP. “We played against the national champion team mixed with other all-star players. It was a really good team. I remember how crazy the crowd was and the great team camaraderie.”
Team Stars & Stripes will again be led by head coach Don De Waard, defensive coordinator at Central College (Iowa). The Americans will spend the coming week in the colonial city of Puebla and will face the premier players from across the nation from the CONADEIP Conference at El Tempo Del Dolor (Temple of Doom Stadium) at Universidad De Las Americas Puebla (UDLAP). American Eric Fisher, who won the 2014 CONADEIP championship with UDLAP and led the hosts to a 45-27 win over Team Stars & Stripes in 2011, returns to coach the Mexican all-stars.
Since 2009 the Mexico CONADEIP Conference has been the working partner with Global Football for the annual Tazón de Estrellas, and was also the partner for the 2011 Global Kilimanjaro Bowl in Tanzania.
The players and coaches will travel to Mexico for seven days, with two-a-day practices and an opportunity to explore the local region and experience a different culture. The visit also focuses on community service projects, with previous initiatives including clearing an area of land to benefit an impoverished neighborhood, creating a play area for children, and holding a football clinic for local youngsters.
Alumni of the Global Football games in Mexico include Miami Dolphins starting linebacker Jason Trusnik (Ohio Northern), former Washington Redskins Pro Bowl linebacker London Fletcher (John Carroll) and Buffalo Bills running back Fred Jackson (Coe College).
