Pruett to Coach in Blue Gray Classic

12/8/2003



Marshall University Head Football Coach Bob Pruett has accepted an
invitation to serve as coach of the blue team in this year's Blue
Gray All-Star Classic on December 25th.

"I'm excited to have the opportunity to represent Marshall and the
Mid-American Conference in the Blue-Gray game," Pruett said. "We are
going to have a few of our players in the game and it is an honor to
be a part of it."

Pruett, the winningest active coach in major college football with
an overall record of 88-17(.838), will coach the offense along with
Marshall quarterbacks coach Larry Kueck. Northern Illinois head
coach Joe Novak and defensive coordinator Scott Shafer will handle
the Blue defense.

The Gray team will be coached by Baylor's Guy Morris and Brent
Pease, and North Carolina's John Bunting and Dave Huxtable.

Marshall's Darius Watts, Nate McPeek, and Luke Salmons are expected
to participate in the game.

The Blue Gray Classic is the first post-season all-star game of the
year and is making a return following a one-year hiatus. This year,
the 65th Blue Gray game will be played on Christmas Day at Movie
Gallery Stadium in Troy, Ala., and be broadcast live on ESPN2 at
3:00 p.m. (EST).

The tradition-laden game each year features some of the finest
college seniors. Past players and coaches who have participated in
the Blue Gray All Star Football Classic include Paul "Bear"
Bryant
(Alabama), Bart Starr (Alabama), Len Dawson (Purdue), Fran Tarkenton
(Georgia), Jerry Rice (Mississippi Valley State), Terrell Davis
(Georgia), Bruce Smith (Virginia Tech) and Curtis Martin
(Pittsburgh).

The Blue Gray Association operates the Blue Gray Classic and is
wholly owned by the Montgomery Lions Club. The proceeds from the
Blue Gray Classic benefit sight conservation projects and youth
charities. Over $4 million has been provided for these humanitarian
services.