Valero Named Title Sponsor Of 2008 Cactus Bowl

The Cactus Bowl Committee announced that Valero Energy Corporation has agreed to become the title sponsor of the 2008 Valero Cactus Bowl. The Valero Cactus Bowl, the postseason all-star game for NCAA Division II football student-athletes, will take place on Friday, January 11, 2008 at Javelina Stadium in Kingsville and will be regionally televised in up to 8 million homes on Fox Sports Southwest.

"The reason we are able to bring the Cactus Bowl back to Kingsville and to give players from NCAA Division II schools a chance to showcase their talent is solely due to the title sponsorship of Valero," says Cactus Bowl Committee President Ruben Cantu. "The community of Kingsville and the entire Coastal Bend rallies behind this game and we get great community and corporate support, but Valero's leadership has made the 2008 game possible."

Valero's support of sporting events in South Texas is significant. Valero is a part-owner of the San Antonio Spurs franchise, stepping in to help organize a bid when the franchise was being pursued by out-of-town buyers who, potentially, could have relocated the team.

Valero has also been the title sponsor of the Valero Texas Open since 2002. In that time, the tournament has gone from the bottom of the PGA TOUR in terms of charitable fundraising to raising more for charity than any other eveJ;lt in PGA TOUR history.

The Cactus Bowl began as the Snow Bowl in 1994 at the Fargo Dome in Fargo, North Dakota. After its initial seven-year run, the game moved to Kingsville in January 2001.
The game was played in Kingsville for six years, took a hiatus last year and will return to Javelina Stadium in 2008.

The Cactus Bowl Committee has a poignant mission: to bring together the finest football athletes from the 150 plus universities who play NCAA Division II football. The first Seven Years of the Snow Bowl produced over 100 players signed by the NFL, and in the inaugural Cactus Bowl game alone 25 players signed NFL contracts, inspiring the game's slogan "the best players you've never seen."

Played in an East/West format, the teams are comprised entirely of the 'best of the best' NCAA Division II college seniors. The Cactus Bowl Committee, comprised completely of volunteers, is responsible for all organizational aspects of the contest and the net profits from the Cactus Bowl are donated to Shriners Hospitals for Children.

Cactus Bowl Roster Announcement

Kingsville -- The 2008 Valero Cactus Bowl has announced its rosters for the 2008 Division II All-Star game to be played at Javelina Stadium in Kingsville, Texas on Friday, January 11, 2008 at 7:00 p.m.

The Valero Cactus Bowl will be regionally televised in up to 8 million homes on Fox Sports Southwest. The selection committee picked from among the best seniors in NCAA Division II football. Headlining the East team is Harlon Hill Trophy finalist Michael Eubanks. Eubanks is a linebacker from Delta State (Miss.) and is one of only two players in the history of the award, given annually to the best player in NCAA Division II, to make the three finalists as a defensive player.

Other standouts on the East team include Shepherd (W.va.) running back Dervon Wallace who finished second in the nation in rushing with 2138 yards and 24 touchdowns. The two quarterbacks for the East team were the Players of the Year in their respective conferences. Mark Nicolet of Hillsdale (Mich.) was the Player of the Year in the Great lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference after throwing for 3,335 yards and 31 touchdowns. Brad Roach of Catawba (N.C.) was the Offensive Player of the Year in the South Atlantic Conference after compiling 3,332 yards and 32 scores.

The West team includes wide receiver Nick Smart of Southwest Baptist (Mo.) who set the NCAA All-Division record for most pass catches in a season with 143. West quarterbacks include Daniel Polk of Midwestern State (Texas), who was the only player in college football to pass for at least 2,000 yards and rush for at least 1,000 yards, and Ben King of Minnesota State-Mankato who led NCAA Division II with 4,096 yards passing.

Valero is a part-owner of the San Antonio Spurs franchise, stepping in to help organize a bid when the franchise was being pursued by out-of-town buyers who, potentially, could have relocated the team. Valero has also been the title sponsor of the Valero Texas Open since 2002. In that time, the tournament has gone from the bottom of the PGA TOUR in terms of charitable fundraising to raising more for charity than any other event in PGA TOUR history.

The Cactus Bowl began as the Snow Bowl in 1994 at the Fargo Dome in Fargo, North Dakota. After its initial seven-year run, the game moved to Kingsville in January 2001. The game was played in Kingsville for six years, took a hiatus last year and will return to Javelina Stadium in 2008.

Sean Johnson
Texas A&M Kingsville
Sports Information Director