Utica, NY (12/12/13) – Senior linebackers Joe Giametta (Seaford, NY/MacArthur) and Dana Christofferson (Richford, NY/Dryden) of the Utica College football team have been selected to play in the fifth annual Tazon De Estrellas (Bowl of the Stars). The bowl game is played in the Aztec Bowl in Mexico. Kick-off is set for 1 p.m. CT on Saturday, December 21.

The all-star team of NCAA non-scholarship student-athletes is comprised of 52 seniors from 27 different schools across the United States. Team Stars and Stripes will face Mexico's CONADEIP All-Stars in the 36,000 capacity Aztec Bowl on the Tec de Monterrey campus.

The dynamic linebacker duo of Giametta and Christofferson were the heart and soul of the defense. The pair came up big on third downs as opponents only converted 37% of third down attempts against UC. The Pioneers also had the third-best passing defense in the conference, only allowing 193.7 yards per game.

Giametta recorded 104 tackles on the season, which was good for second in Empire 8 conference and 39th nationally at 10.4 per game. Giametta, who was a 2013 Empire 8 All-Conference Second Team selection, became just the fifth player in program history to record 100+ tackles in a single season. He also added 2.5 sacks, 3.5 tackles for a loss, three fumble recoveries, one forced fumble and one pass defended this past season. Giametta finished his Utica College career with 177 tackles.

Christofferson, a 2012 Empire 8 All-Conference Second Team selection, finishes his UC career fifth all time with 228 tackles. He also ranks second in school history with 132 assisted tackles. In 2013, Christofferson ranked 10th in the conference by registering 59 tackles in just 7 games, averaging 8.3 per game. He also had five tackles for a loss, one interception, and one forced fumble which UC recovered.

The Tazón de Estrellas is the focal point for the Global Football Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit initiative, which assists athletes in meeting the expenses associated with traveling overseas to realize their dreams of competing against other American football enthusiasts and experiencing different cultures. The foundation allows potential benefactors to make charitable donations to offset costs that might otherwise prevent the student athletes from undertaking the trip of a lifetime. To inquire about making a donation to the Global Football Foundation to assist student-athletes, please contact Patrick Steenberge at Patrick@GlobalFootball.com or 817-219-7274.


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