Wittenberg Football Standout Brad Kassner
Selected To Participate In 2004 Aztec Bowl

Brad Kassner

WACO, Texas — Wittenberg University offensive lineman Brad Kassner has been selected to play for the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) Division III All-Star team that will represent the United States against the Mexican National Team in the 2004 Aztec Bowl at 4 p.m. (CST) Saturday, Dec. 11 in Cancun, Mexico.

Kassner, a 6-3, 285-pound senior from Circleville, Ohio, was an All-North Coast Athletic Conference selection for the Tigers three straight years, the latest honor coming when the 2004 selections were announced yesterday, and he was an honorable mention All-America honoree in 2003. A physics major, Kassner made the move from guard to tackle on the offensive line in 2004 without missing a beat. He was a key part of an offensive line that helped Wittenberg average 44 points and 484 yards in total offense per game this season, both of which ranked second in the NCAC and among the top 10 nationally.

Kassner is one of 42 NCAA Division III seniors from around the country who will make up this year's team, which will be led by former Central (Iowa) College Head Coach Ron Schipper for the eighth consecutive year. Kassner becomes the fifth Wittenberg player to participate in the game in the eight years Division III players have represented the United States, following in the footsteps of defensive back Kenny Pope (1998), running back Casey Donaldson (2000), defensive back Jay Jackson (2001) and safety John Hauser (2002).

The Aztec Bowl is the traditional season-ending game for Mexico's college football season. The game has been played 33 times since 1947, with the last seven contests featuring the United States-Mexico match-up. The United States is 6-1 in the series, with Mexico's lone victory coming in last year's game, which was also played in Cancun.

Chitwood Sports Media of Jefferson, Texas will again provide a live webcast of the Aztec Bowl in 2004. Along with the game webcast on Dec. 11, announcers Charlie Chitwood and Ned Fratangelo will provide 90-minute preview shows on Dec. 8, 9 and 10. The preview shows will originate from the Team USA hotel and will begin each night at 6:30 p.m. CST.

The webcasts can be accessed via the AFCA Web site or via the Aztec Bowl Web site. Postgame results will also be available at the AFCA Web site.

Wittenberg finished the 2004 season with a 7-3 overall record, including a mark of 5-2 in the NCAC, good for a second-place tie with Ohio Wesleyan behind nationally ranked Wooster. It was the 48th winning season in the last 50 years for the program, which has the most wins of any NCAA Division III institution. Kassner was part of a senior class that had a 36-9 record in four years, won one NCAC championship and made two appearances in the NCAA Division III Tournament.

The AFCA was founded in 1922 and currently has more than 10,000 members around the world, ranging from the high school level to the professional ranks. According to its constitution, the AFCA was formed, in part, to maintain the highest possible standards in football and in the coaching profession and to provide a forum for the discussion and study of all matters pertaining to football.