2007 Preseason Prep Bowl Kick-off Classic

The Preseason Prep Bowl Kick-off Classic Committee announced today the participants in the 2007 3rd annual Preseason Prep Bowl to be held August 25, 2007. Frank E. Lenti, chairman of the Chicago Catholic League Football Committee and a founder of this game, announced that 2006 State Class 8A runner up Chicago Mt. Carmel will play its long term rival Joliet Catholic Academy in the first game, Catholic League Power Fenwick will play Chicago Public League Prep Bowl Runner-up Hubbard in the second game and 2006 State Class 7A State Champion Chicago St. Rita will take on Chicago Simeon in the final contest.

The Preseason Prep Bowl was developed to offer Chicago Catholic League and Chicago Public League teams the opportunity to play in the historic Soldier Field. Soldier Field, the home of the Chicago Bears, has hosted high school football games since it opened. The very first football game played on Soldier Field, known as Grant Park Municipal Stadium at the time, featured Chicago Austin against Louisville Male High School on October 4, 1924. Many corporate sponsors have stepped up to help put on this event such as Nike, Coca Cola, and the Chicago Bears Football Club. Several organizations have also assisted including the Central Officials Association, Chicago Catholic League, Chicago Public League, the Chicago Park District and the Cook County Sheriffs Department.

"Our goal is to give the opportunity of playing in Soldier Field to Chicago area student athletes while giving their families and high school football fans across the metropolitan area an opportunity to see quality football games and experience the thrill of being in Soldier Field. This year we are going to make a special effort to reach out to youth programs throughout the area to invite them to come down and see some great games in this historic venue" said Frank Lenti, the committee chairman and Head Coach and Athletic Director of Mt. Carmel High School. "These games are a result of a collaboration of efforts between the Chicago Catholic League and Mickey Pruitt of the Chicago Board of Education and Tim LeFevour, the General Manager of Soldier Field. We have also had great support from SMG, Tim Mitchell of the Chicago Park District, as well as Mayor Daley. The media has really stepped up in making this game a success for the kids and special thanks goes out to Steve Tucker of the Chicago Sun Times, Bob Sakamoto of the Chicago Tribune, Tim O'Halloran of EdgyTim.com, and Timmy Maher of the Big Guy Apple Chevrolet Sports report."

Tickets for this year games will be available at the participating schools as well as available at the gate.