Gray Earns “Only the Best” Status
COLUMBIA, S.C. (November 29, 2006) – Gary Gray of Columbia has been named a 2007 U.S. Army All-American. He is the second South Carolina Prep to be selected to the U.S. Army All-American Bowl EAST Squad and the eighth Army All-American to verbally commit to Notre Dame. Gray and fellow Duncan S.C. Prep, Will Korn, of Byrnes High School will 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 p.m. (EST) and will feature the nation’s top 80 high school football athletes.
For the first time, Gray will teammate up with many of his future Notre Dame teammates at the U.S. Army All-American Bowl, including Armando Allen (Hialeah, FL), Greg Little (Durham, NC), Justin Trattou (Ramsey, NJ), Duval Kamara (Hoboken, NJ), Mike Ragone (Cherry Hill, NJ), Jimmy Clausen (Westlake Village, CA) and Aaron Nagel (Lemont IL).
Since its inception, the U.S. Army All-American Bowl has been a key launching pad for America’s future college and NFL stars. Gray 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 Gary Gray’s abilities and dedication make him a strong addition to the game.”
Gary Gray is a standout athlete at Richland Northeast High School 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, Gary Gray is eligible for the following honors: U.S. Army Player of the Year Award, EAS Speed and Strength 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.
As a U.S. Army All-American, Gary Gray 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
