Eskridge Selected To Participate In Shrine Bowl
December 08, 2009 | Football
Dec. 8, 2009
GREENVILLE, N.C. - East Carolina University senior free safety Van Eskridge has been selected to participate in the 85th East-West Shrine Game, scheduled for January 23, 2010 at the Florida Citrus Bowl in Orlando, Fla. Kickoff is scheduled for 3 p.m. (EST) and will be aired on ESPN2.
Eskridge, a three-year starter at free safety, was a key member in ECU's 38-32 win over No. 18 Houston in the Conference USA Championship Game Saturday, Dec. 5 as he picked off a pair of passes, including one in the endzone with 42 seconds remaining. Eskridge earned an ESPN Gameday Final helmet sticker for his play against the Cougars, which also included 10 stops. The Shelby, N.C. native leads the Pirates with six interceptions, which ranks 13th in the NCAA, while ranking second on the squad in tackles (93) and pass breakups (7).
In 2008, Eskridge earned first-team All C-USA honors after starting 13 games and tallying 97 overall stops (third on unit). He was also the team's co-leader with four interceptions. Eskridge had a pair of fourth quarter interceptions at Tulsa in the C-USA Championship Game, the last with 1:03 remaining to secure the Pirates' 27-24 triumph.
During his four-year career, the two-time All C-USA performer has collected 354 stops, which ranks ninth all-time in school history, and has recorded 11 interceptions.
The East-West Shrine Game is the longest-running college all-star football game in the country and features some of the highest-rated players in the projected NFL draft ranking. In April 2009, 90 percent of players from the 84th East-West Shrine Game (played on Jan. 17, 2009) were either drafted or signed as free agents by NFL clubs. A total of 307 East-West Shrine Game alumni were on 2009 NFL opening-day rosters.
While the teams are divided by East and West, the players come together for the beneficiary of the event, Shriners Hospitals for Children, an international pediatric specialty health care system.
Shriners Hospitals for Children is a system of 22 hospitals dedicated to providing pediatric specialty care, innovative research and outstanding teaching programs. Children up to age 18 with orthopedic conditions, burns, spinal cord injuries, and cleft lip and palate are eligible for care and receive all services in a family-centered environment, without financial obligation to patients or their families.
