Tuesday, November 26, 2002

FOOTBALL'S ADAM COLLETTE TO PLAY IN 2002 AZTEC BOWL

MEDFORD – For the second straight year, an offensive lineman from the Tufts University Football team will play for a team of U.S. Division III All-Stars in Mexico. Senior right tackle Adam Collette (Westminster, MA/Oakmont) has been selected to play for the 2002 American Football Coaches Association's (AFCA) All-Star team that will represent the United States against the Mexican National Team in the Aztec Bowl on December 14 in Torreon, Mexico.

The U.S. squad of 42 seniors has been selected from NCAA Division III football teams around the country.  Collette's former teammate, Mike Willey (Sherborn, MA/Dover-Sherborn), was a captain of the U.S. team last year. Two former USA Team members, London Fletcher and Clint Kriewaldt, are currently playing in the National Football League.

Collette, a 6'8", 285-pound tackle, is considered a pro prospect after a dominant season for the Jumbos. A unanimous All-New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) First Team selection, he did not allow a sack this season. He helped the Tufts offense score 20.1 points per game and average 281.8 yards per game this season.  The 2002 offense's 12 touchdown passes were the most by a Tufts team since 1982.  Collette was named Second Team All-NESCAC as a junior last year.

            The Aztec Bowl has been played 28 times since 1947, and the U.S. all-star team will be coached by Former Central (Iowa) College Head Coach Ron Schipper. The game is traditionally the season-ending contest for Mexico's college football season, and the United States defeated Mexico 37-5 last year in Saltillo.

            Collette is a chemical engineer major and has twice been on the Dean's List. After a 3-0 start to the season, Tufts lost its last five games and finished 3-5 this fall.

            "It's a great honor for our program to send another player to the game this year," Head Coach Bill Samko said. "Mike Willey was an outstanding representative of the Jumbos last year, and I'm certain Adam Collette will be the same. With his size, skill and toughness, he's one of the best Division III football players I've seen. His development over four years here has put him in a position to attract the pros, and this game can be a showcase for him."

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