Shrine Bowl Players & Coaches

The Shrine Bowl All-Star Football Game began in 1973 and was established by a group of sports-minded Iowa Shriners after having seen the success of Shrine-sponsored football games in other states. After much planning, the first All-Star football and basketball games were played in 1973 in Iowa City. However, these games were financially unsuccessful and thus the basketball game was dropped. In 1974, after much dedicated work, the indebtedness was paid off. The contributions from this annual event now total over $2 million dollars in support of the Shrine Hospital programs for children. 

The game played for children in orthopedic hospitals and for the benefit of burn centers who receive free medical attention and treatment; the games not only help raise funds for the hospital programs, but also makes the public more aware of the free services available to a child who needs special orthopedic or burn care and rehabilitation. The game is a once in-a-lifetime experience for players and coaches and often times is the "high point" in their high school football career... not only because of the game, but also from visiting with the children in the hospital.

Iowa Shriners genuinely appreciate the total support and cooperation of the Iowa High School Football Coaches Association in promoting the Shrine Bowl; the Coaches Association selects the head coaches for the game who, in turn, select the players from across the state. Initially, only 40 total players were selected but in 1986 the number of players was increased from 40 to 44 to permit participation of more small schools on the All-Star squads. In the 2002 game an additional kicker was added and in 2006 a punter was added for a total of 92 players. 

Player selection is a very difficult task and each fall all Iowa high school head football coaches are requested to recommend a defensive and offensive player whom he feels will be a good representative of his school and community; this player is not only a good athlete, but also one who is also academically successful and active in school and community activities. Then, head coaches from both the North and South squads select players from each class (A-4A) whom they feel meet the following recommended criteria: character, sportsmanship, on-field play, and leadership. Unless extenuating circumstances exist, only one player per school is permitted to play which makes the task all that more difficult for football programs such as Bettendorf. 

Since 1973, each All-Star squad had traveled to the Twin Cities Children’s Hospital from their training camp to visit the patients, learning first-hand the purpose of the Shrine All-Star Football