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.

“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).

The Tazón de Estrellas, and its forerunner the Aztec Bowl, have produced a series of exciting games and established a fierce but friendly rivalry between the Americans and Mexicans. The hosts won 24-12 in 2009 before Team Stars & Stripes leveled the series with a 48-7 victory in Toluca in 2010 and the CONADEIP All-Stars won by a margin of 45-27 in 2011. It was the Americans’ turn to triumph 32-15 in 2012 on the head-coaching debut of De Waard, and a 29-7 win in 2013 established a 3-2 series lead.

The Tazón de Estrellas is the focal point for the Global Football Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit initiative, which assists athletes in meeting the expenses associated with traveling overseas to realize their dreams of competing against other American football enthusiasts and experiencing different cultures. The foundation allows potential benefactors to make charitable donations to offset costs that might otherwise prevent the student athletes from undertaking the trip of a lifetime.

Global Football’s Tazón de Estrellas (2009-2013) & Aztec Bowls (1997-2007)

Tazón de Estrellas

2013: Team Stars & Stripes 29 CONADEIP All Stars 7 – December 21, 2013 – Estadio Tecnológico, Monterrey

2012: Team Stars & Stripes 32 CONADEIP All Stars 15 – December 15, 2012 – La Fortaleza Azul, Guadalajara

2011: Team Stars & Stripes 27 CONADEIP All Stars 45 – December 17, 2011 – El Tempo del Dolor, Puebla

2010: Team Stars & Stripes 48 CONADEIP All Stars 7 – December 18, 2010 – La Congeladora, Toluca

2009: Team Stars & Stripes 12 Tec Monterrey All Stars 24 – December 19, 2009 – Tec de Monterrey Campus Estado de Mexico, Mexico City

Aztec Bowl

2007: USA 37 Mexico 19       December 8, 2007 – Estadio Olimpico Universitario, Chihuahua

2006: USA 28 Mexico 7          December 16, 2006 – Estadio Victoria, Aguascalientes

2005: USA 53 Mexico 15        December 17, 2005 – Estadio Chivo Cordoba, Toluca

2004: USA 23 Mexico 3          December 11, 2004 – Estadio Cancun 86, Cancun

2003: Mexico 34 USA 31        December 13, 2003 – Estadio Cancun 86, Cancun

2002: USA 15 Mexico 9          December 14, 2002 – Estadio Infierno Azul, Torreon

2001: USA 37 Mexico 5          December 15, 2001 – Estadio Olimpico, Saltillo

2000: USA 27 Mexico 26        December 15, 2000 – Estadio Alvarado, Merida

1999: USA 44 Mexico 13        December 18, 1999 – Estadio Wilfredo Massieu, Mexico City

1998: USA 40 Mexico 13        December 12, 1998 – Estadio Universitario, Monterrey

1997: USA 42 Mexico 41        December 20, 1997 – Estadio Chivo Cordoba, Toluca

For more information regarding Global Football tours and events and to reserve an overseas visit in 2015 and beyond, contact Patrick Steenberge:Tel: 817-219-7274 / Email: Patrick@GlobalFootball.com.

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