Masuk quarterback Casey Cochran has been nominated to play in the 2012 U.S. Army All-American Bowl, joining an elite group of student-athletes. Those nominated will have the chance to showcase their talents on Saturday, January 7, 2012, in the annual East vs. West match-up, televised live on NBC at 1:00 PM EST.


“The U.S. Army All-American Bowl provides the national platform for young adults to showcase their talent and strength,” said Col. Derik Crotts, Director of Strategic Communications, Marketing and Outreach, U.S. Army Accessions Command. “This nomination recognizes the mental, emotional and physical strengths, and leadership qualities, Cochran has developed on and off the field; qualities he shares with Army Strong Soldiers. The Army congratulates all of the athletes on their nomination.”

Cochran was nominated by the U.S. Army All-American Bowl Selection Committee, which consists of All American Games’ network of regional coaches throughout the country and Rivals.com. Of the more than 440 nominees, 90 are ultimately selected and invited to the Bowl. The next step for the nominees occurs in September, when the U.S. Army All-American Bowl Selection Tour begins. Player finalists along with All-American Marching Band musicians will be selected nationwide throughout the fall, with the Selection Tour ending in early December.

The U.S. Army All-American Bowl is the premier high school football game in the country held each January in the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas. The game features the best high school football players in the nation and has helped launch the careers of Adrian Peterson, Mark Sanchez, Tim Tebow, Ndamukong Suh, and many other college and NFL stars since its inception in 2001. This year, the U.S. Army All-American Bowl drew a record crowd of nearly 38,000 fans to the Alamodome and was the most watched sporting event on television over the weekend, excluding the NFL Playoffs.

The U.S. Army Accessions Command (USAAC), a subordinate command of U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command, meets the human resource needs of the Army by transforming volunteers into officers, warrant officers, and enlisted Soldiers. In providing the force, the 18,391 men and women of Accessions Command prepare these future Soldiers and leaders for their initial military training. Commanded by Lt. Gen. Benjamin C. Freakley, USAAC is located at Fort Knox, Ky.

The U.S. Army All-American Bowl is owned and produced by All American Games, a New Jersey-based sport marketing and event management company. National sponsors of the All-American Bowl include the U.S. Army, Rivals.com, Russell Athletic, San Antonio Convention & Visitors Bureau, Gatorade, Schutt Sports, NCSA, TapouT, Oakley, NewTek and Football University. National sponsors of the All-American Marching Band include MENC: The National Association for Music Education, Drum Corps International, Jupiter Band Instruments and DeMoulin Uniforms. For more information on the U.S. Army All-American Bowl and its related events visit www.usarmyallamericanbowl.com & www.goarmy.com/events/aab.