Fresno State Athletics
Wendell Picked for East-West Shrine Game
1/10/2008 12:00:00 AM | Football
Jan. 10, 2008
FRESNO, Calif. - In what has become a wonderful tradition, the Fresno State football program once again has a presence in the prestigious East-West Shrine Game.
Senior center Ryan Wendell was selected to play in the game, scheduled for January 19, in Houston, Texas. Wendell, one of five senior starters on the Bulldog team that won nine games, started 48 consecutive games. He was selected first-team All-WAC as a senior, and in 2004 was the WAC Freshman of the Year, only the second offensive lineman ever to win that award.
Wendell is the 46th Bulldog selected to participate in the game. Since Hill became head coach in 1997, 23 people associated with the program have participated.
"We are very proud of Ryan and his accomplishments," said head coach Pat Hill. "He's been a great representative of our program, as a person, a leader, a student and obviously as a very good football player."
Wendell is an outstanding student, having won Academic All-WAC honors four straight seasons. Coaching Wendell will be Mike White. The East squad will be coached by Dick Vermeil.
Other recent Bulldogs who have made a contribution in the East-West Shrine Game, include current Tennessee Titans receiver Paul Williams, who caught a 79-yard touchdown pass last season.
Hill served as the head coach of the West in 2002, when the game was played in AT&T Park in San Francisco. Long-time equipment manager Mark Younger served in that capacity for several years for the Shrine Game.
What makes the Shrine Game so special is its true purpose - helping to support Shriners Hospitals for Children. 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. The Shrine represents many things: good times, camaraderie, and tradition. But what really binds together the more than 500,000 Shriners nationwide is an attitude of caring.
Bulldogs in the East-West Shrine Game
1942--Jack Mulkey, E
1960--Dale Messer, HB
1962--J.R. Williams, C
1976--Del White, LB
1977--Bob Glazebrook, DB
1980--Anthony Washington, CB
1981--Cordle, SS
1982--Henry Ellard, SE
1984--Larry Willis, SE
1986--Cliff Hannemann, LB
1987--Jethro Franklin, DE
1988--Tracy Rogers, LB
1989--James Williams, CB (West Def. MVP)
1990--Aaron Craver, TB
1991--Marquez Pope, FS; Judd Foell, DL; Jim Sweeney, West Asst. Coach
1992--Lorenzo Neal; FB, Jesse Hardwick, OT
1993--Ron Rivers, TB
1994--David Dunn, WR, Jason James, C
1995--Charlie Jones, WR
1998--Cory Hall, DB, Josh Kobdish, OL, Jaime Kimbrough, RB, Michael Pittman, RB
1999--Jeff Hanna, K
2000--Kevin Jordan, OT
2002--Alan Harper, DT; Rodney Wright, WR; Mark Younger, Equipment Manager
2003--Pat Hill, Head Coach; Dan Brown, Assistant Coach; Frank Cignetti, Assistant Coach; Mark Younger, Equipment Manager; Nick Burley, DE; Rodney Michael, C
2004--Bernard Berrian, WR, Rodney Davis, RB
2005--Logan Mankins, OT; Stephan Spach, TE
2006--Paul Pinegar, QB
2007--Paul Williams, WR; Kyle Young, C
2008--Ryan Wendell, C
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