Nov. 8, 2007

Petersburg, VA - The East Coast Bowl Committee has announced that Wagner senior CB/Return Specialist Al Phillips (Hialeah, FL/ American) has been selected to be a member of the North squad in the seventh annual East Coast Bowl Game on Saturday, November 24 at Noon.

"We are extremely excited that a player the caliber of Al Phillips will be competing in the East Coast Bowl," said Vice President/Recruiting Coordinator Jeremy Toombs. "Al's numbers speak for themselves. He is nationally ranked in a number of categories and is one of the best defensive backs, not only in the Northeast Conference, but in the nation as well."

The East Coast Bowl Committee selects the top 75 Division I-FCS, II, III and NAIA athletes. The 5-11, 195-pound Phillips is tied for fourth in the nation in interceptions/game with six in nine games (0.67/game) and is tied for third in the nation in passes defended (1.78/game) For his career, Phillips has intercepted 16 passes, which places him third on the Wagner all-time interceptions list.

Also a dangerous return man, with a game-changing 95-yard kickoff return for a TD at Robert Morris (10/6) to his credit, Phillips is 33rd in the nation in kickoff returns (25.45 yards/return). For his efforts against Robert Morris (10/06), where he also made five solo tackles, Phillips was named NEC Special Teams Player of the Week.

Players will report to Petersburg the day before Thanksgiving and spend the holiday making various community visits as well as taking part in practice sessions for NFL scouts. The game itself is a scholarship event with all of the revenue generated directed to a fund for a local high school senior who plans on attending a Division I-FCS, II or III college. For more information, visit www.petersburgsports.com

The East Coast Bowl has partnered this year with American Football Alumni (AFA). The AFA is an association of former players and coaches of all levels to support the sport of football and give back to the game. More information about the American Football Alumni can be obtained at www.11on11.com