By: Justin Wollard, Media Relations Director
KINGSVILLE, Texas -- SBU's Jarred Schumpert and Johnnie King were invited to participate in the 2010 Valero Cactus Bowl. This year's all-star bowl game, featuring the top Division II seniors, will be held on January 8, 2010 at 6:35 p.m. CST on the campus of Texas A&M-Kingsville at Javelina Stadium.
Schumpert, a native of Gilmer, Texas, led the Bearcats in total tackles for the fourth straight year, the only player in SBU history with that accomplishment. In 2009, he finished with 116 stops including 65 solos and 19 tackles for a loss. He also recorded four sacks and two interceptions. St. Louis native Johnnie King tied for the team lead with 51 catches and eight touchdowns and also racked up 730 receiving yards during his senior season. He led NCAA Division II in receptions per game in 2008 as a junior at SBU after transferring from Oklahoma Panhandle State.
The Bearcats have had three other players participate in the Cactus Bowl. Safety Chad Myers played in 2001, offensive tackle/tight end L.V. Hill went in 2005 and wide receiver Nick Smart was selected in 2008, following his record-setting 2007 campaign.
The Bearcats completed their first winning season since 2001, going 6-5. The Bearcats finished with a flurry after an 0-4 start, winning six of their last seven games, which were the most wins in a seven game stretch in school history. After going 0-11 in 2007, the Bearcats went 5-6 last year and bettered that by one this season. The eleven wins were more than the previous five seasons (2003-07) combined.
ABOUT THE CACTUS BOWL
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 aspects of organization for the contest and net profits from the Cactus Bowl are donated to Shriners Hospitals for Children throughout the United States, Mexico, and Canada. The game will feature 80 Division II players from all over America.
For more on the Cactus Bowl, visit
www.cactusbowl.org.
