Ragone Will First Play the Field with fellow Irish Commits in the Army Bowl
CHERRY HILL, N.J. (November 6, 2006) – Mike Ragone of Cherry Hill has been named a 2007 U.S. Army All-American. He is the fifth athlete from the state of New Jersey to be selected to the EAST Squad and is the third New Jersey prep committed to Notre Dame. For the first time, Mike Ragone, Duval Kamara (Hoboken), and Justin Trattou (Ramsey) will show Weiss and company exactly why they are the best in the country. Anthony Davis (Piscataway), Matt Simms (Ramsey) and the Irish recruits join a group of extraordinary student-athletes selected to play in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl on Saturday, January 6, 2007 at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas. This classic East vs. West match-up will be televised live on NBC at 1:00 (EST) and will feature the nation’s top 80 high school football athletes.
Since its inception, the U.S. Army All-American Bowl has been a key launching pad for America’s future college and NFL stars. Ragone joins the likes of Reggie Bush, Vince Young, Brady Quinn, and Adrian Peterson who all made their national debuts as U.S. Army All-Americans.
“We are excited to see this fine young man represent his school and community as a U.S. Army All-American,” said Colonel Thomas Nickerson, Director of Strategic Outreach for the U.S. Army Accessions Command. “The U.S. Army recognizes the value of individual talents toward achieving team goals, and Mike Ragone’s abilities and dedication make him a strong addition to the game.”
Mike Ragone is a standout tight end at Camden Catholic H.S. and was one of 400 players nominated nationally and then ultimately selected by the U.S. Army All-American Bowl Selection Committee. The committee consists of Scout.com, Tom Lemming, and SportsLink. As a U.S. Army All-American, Ragone is eligible for the following honors: National H.S. Player of the Year Award, Walter Payton Trophy, AFL Ironman of the Year, U.S. Army Scholar Athlete Awards, and the Glenn Davis and Doc Blanchard U.S. Army Awards.
“Mike Ragone is the nation’s #1 tight end prospect in the country,” said Garrett Shea, Director of the U.S. Army All-American Bowl. “Ragone possesses tremendous athleticism and a true passion for the game. He has extraordinary speed for a tight end, which allows him to get up field and make plays that very few tight ends can make. Mike Ragone is a tremendous all-around athlete and the Bowl is proud to have him join the U.S. Army All-American Class of 2007.”
As a U.S. Army All-American, Mike Ragone will have the opportunity during Bowl week to participate in a series of Army leadership and teamwork sessions, NFL athlete seminars, study hall sessions, and goal setting and achieving workshops.
As part of being selected to the U.S. Army All-American Bowl, each athlete’s head coach is invited to travel to San Antonio compliments of the U.S. Army and attend the U.S. Army National Coaches Clinic presented by Prep Sports Online.
For more information on the U.S. Army All-American Bowl, alumni, coaches, awards, and other Bowl Week events please visit www.usarmyallamericanbowl.com & www.goarmy.com
Scout.com:
Ragone is a big, fast, athletic tight end who can stretch the field and make plays in traffic. He’s also a strong blocker who likes to mix it up and is very productive.
