Fresno State Athletics
Hill Selected to Coach in East-West Shrine Game
12/21/2002 12:00:00 AM | Football
Dec. 21, 2002
FRESNO, Calif. - Fresno State head football coach Pat Hill was selected today as the head coach of the West team for the 78th Annual East-West Shrine Game, played Jan. 11 at San Francisco's Pac Bell Park.
Hill, in his sixth season, has guided Fresno State to four consecutive bowl games, unprecedented in school history, and a 45-30 overall record. Fresno State has averaged 8.5 wins per season over the last four years. He guided the Bulldogs a No. 8 national ranking in 2001, highest in school history.
"We are very proud of Pat's accomplishments," said Scott Johnson, Fresno State's director of athletics. "He is certainly deserving of this honor and it speaks well for the program he has built. Fresno State has never had someone selected as a head coach for this prestigious event. That speaks volumes for the nation respect Pat Hill has earned."
In 2002, Hill guided Fresno State to an 8-5 overall record and fourth straight bowl appearance. The Bulldogs will take on Georgia Tech in the 2002 Silicon Valley Football Classic on Dec. 31 at San Jose, Calif. Hill and the Bulldogs continued their preparation for the bowl game with a practice today at Bulldog Stadium. The 'Dogs will practice on Sunday before taking a three-day break for the Christmas Holiday, returning to campus on Dec. 26. The team will depart for San Jose on Dec. 27.
"This is good news for our program," said Hill. "It's nice to get personal recognition, but more importantly it says a lot for our program and the type of national respect we have. I'm excited and honored to have our staff be a part of such a wonderful and tradition-filled event."
Joining Hill on the coaching staff will be Fresno State's defensive coordinator Dan Brown and offensive coordinator Frank Cignetti. Two Bulldogs have been selected to play in the game, defensive end Nick Burley and center Rodney Michael. Other notable players represented on the West squad are Iowa State quarterback Seneca Wallace, Texas Tech quarterback Kliff Kingsbury, Washington State quarterback Jason Gesser, UCLA safety Ricky Manning, Jr., USC safety Troy Polamalu, and Nebraska running back Dahrran Diedrick.
The East team will be coached by Notre Dame's Tyrone Willingham, who has an excellent stable of athletes, including Miami quarterback Ken Dorsey, Iowa quarterback Brad Banks and Ohio State safety Michael Doss.
Proceeds from the event benefit the Shriners' Hospitals. Every year since 1925, the Shrine Game has been played to raise money and to help make the public aware of the expert orthopedic and burn care available, at no cost, at all 22 Shriners Hospitals for Children. To date, the game has raised more than $14 million for Shriners Hospitals and has helped inform millions of people about the mission of this extraordinary philanthropy. Tickets for the East-West Shrine game can be purchased online at www.shrinersgame.com.
In other Fresno State football news, tickets for the upcoming Silicon Valley Football Classic game have been moving quickly through the Fresno State athletics ticket office.
On Friday, Fresno State sold out its allotment of $30 tickets. Less than 200 $60 tickets remain. The $60 tickets are the best seats available, located behind the Bulldog benches between the 25-yard lines.
Athletics ticket manager Dana Deminna said the school received 1,000 additional $45 tickets on Friday. Fresno State will not receive any more tickets once those are sold.
"Sales have been steady and solid," said Johnson. "I know with Christmas approaching, most people are not thinking much past Dec. 25 right now. I would urge people not to wait, however, because while there are currently good seats available in the Fresno State section, at the pace we've been selling, they won't last long."
Tickets can be purchased online at www.gobulldogs.com and through the Fresno State athletics tickets office (559) 278-2509. The Fresno State athletics ticket office will be open everyday next week except Christmas.
