Casino Del Sol College All-Star Game returns for second year, features nation's top talent

TUCSON, Ariz., Oct. 23, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- On Jan. 11, 2013, the nation’s standout college football seniors will compete in the Casino Del Sol College All-Star Game in Tucson, Ariz. at Kino Stadium and carried nationally on ESPN3, ESPN’s multi-screen sports network.

After the success of last year's inaugural game, Casino Del Sol welcomes the opportunity to host the event once again. Last year's roster produced six NFL draft picks including the 98^th overall pick, Gino Gradkowski, who went to the Baltimore Ravens.  An additional 61 players off of the 2012 roster entered NFL training camp in July.

"Casino Del Sol's offerings are extraordinary every day," said Casino Del Sol CEO Wendell Long, "so it's only fitting that we host these impressive collegiate athletes who are extraordinary every day, not just Saturdays in the fall."

Not only will the game feature some of college football's best athletes, but the game will now be under the direction of the heralded Joe Dan Rogers, as the new executive director. Rogers spent several seasons with St. Vincent Sports Performance in Indianapolis handling elite performance and the NFL Pre-combine Program, is the former executive director of the Hula Bowl, and also spent time with the Atlanta Falcons serving as a college scout. The new role is one that Rogers is excited about.

"The opportunity to work with these young men to help them realize their dreams of playing on the next level is a job I welcome with open arms," said Rogers. "Having a great city like Tucson with tremendous football fans, perfect weather in January and the support of Casino Del Sol will make the 2013 event extraordinary."

A press conference announcing ticket information, further details and game week events will be held Thursday, Nov. 1 at 2 p.m. in the lobby of Casino Del Sol Resort. Casino Del Sol CEO Wendell Long and Casino Del Sol College All-Star Game Executive Director Joe Dan Rogers will be available for interview.

About Casino Del Sol Resort, Spa and Conference Center:

Located in southwest metropolitan Tucson, Ariz., the Pascua Yaqui Tribe is a federally recognized tribe with more than 17,000 enrolled members.  The Tribe owns and operates several enterprises including southern Arizona's newest AAA Four Diamond-rated destination, Casino Del Sol Resort, Spa and Conference Center. Casino Del Sol Resort is a 215-room, 161,000-square-foot resort that features more than 65,000-square-feet of indoor and outdoor meeting and convention space; Hiapsi, a full-service spa; and several restaurants and lounges including PY Steakhouse, Prema Lounge and Starbucks. Scheduled to open in 2013, Sewailo golf course, an 18-hole, par 72 championship golf course designed by PGA golfer Notah Begay III will soon be among the impressive amenities available to guests. The Pascua Yaqui reservation is also home to two casinos, Casino of the Sun and Casino Del Sol. Non-gaming enterprises include the Anselmo Valencia Tori Amphitheater (AVA), a 5,000-seat open-air concert venue; and the Del Sol Marketplace, which includes a gas station, car wash, convenience store and smoke shop. For more information call 1-855-SOL-STAY (765-7829) or visit www.CasinoDelSol.com. Follow Casino Del Sol on Facebook and Twitter.

About ESPN3:
ESPN3 is ESPN's live multi-screen sports network, a destination that delivers thousands of global sports events annually and accessible online via WatchESPN.com, on smartphones and tablets via the WatchESPN app and through ESPN on Xbox LIVE to Gold members.  It is currently available to 74 million homes at no additional cost to fans who receive their high-speed Internet connection or video subscription from an affiliated service provider.  The network is also available at no cost to approximately 21 million U.S. college students and U.S.-based military personnel via computers connected to on-campus educational networks and on-base military networks.

For media inquiries regarding Casino Del Sol Resort, contact:

Amy O'Hara
Allison+Partners
623-201-5558
[email protected]

SOURCE Casino Del Sol Resort