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2012 U.S. Army All-American Bowl Head Coaches Named

2012 U.S. Army All-American Bowl Head Coaches Named
H.B. Plant High School’s Robert Weiner and
Rockhurst High School’s Tony Severino Selected

(WHARTON, N.J.) June 13, 2011 – The U.S. Army All-American Bowl has selected Robert Weiner of H.B. Plant High School (Tampa, Fla.) as the head coach for the East squad and Tony Severino of Rockhurst High School (Kansas City, Mo.) as the head coach of the West squad for the 2012 U.S. Army All-American Bowl. The coaches will lead their all-star teams on the field Saturday, Jan. 7, 2012, at 1:00 p.m. (EST) at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas.

“Leadership is a trait highly valued in the U.S. Army,” said Col. Derik Crotts, Director of Strategic Communications, Marketing and Outreach, U.S. Army Accessions Command. “These coaches exemplify leadership each and every day and reflect the qualities of Army Strong Soldiers. We are proud to announce their selection, and look forward to watching them lead the talented young athletes of the 2012 game.”

Robert Weiner became the head coach at Plant High School in 2004 after the team went 1-9 in 2003. Weiner improved the Panthers’ record with a trip to the region semifinals in 2005, and led the team to undefeated state championship seasons in 2006, 2008 and 2009, along with a runner-up finish in 2010. In addition to his seven seasons with Plant, he spent 15 seasons as an assistant at his alma mater, Tampa Jesuit High School, before spending a year at Crystal River High School (Crystal River, Fla.) prior to his time with the Panthers.

"It is an unparalleled honor to represent the best of the best in high school football, but, more importantly, it is the ultimate, profound moment of respect to wear a coaching shirt that says ‘U.S. Army’ on it,” said Coach Weiner. “I am humbled to be a small part of the superstar high school football names that will participate in the game and, more so, the countless soldiers whose courage and lives inspire all of us, every moment to be all that we can be, and more - Army strong, American proud.”

A member of the Missouri Football Coaches Hall of Fame, Tony Severino has more than 41 years of coaching experience. He has been named Missouri Coach of the Year seven times and 2000 USA Today National Coach of the Year. During the past 28 seasons at Rockhurst High School, Severino has compiled a 269-60-1 record; overall, his head coaching record stands at 312-81-1 in 34 seasons. His teams have qualified for the playoffs in 29 of the last 32 years while playing in 12 state championship games and making 17 semifinal appearances. This past season, Rockhurst went 14-0 and captured the Class 6 state title. Fourteen of Severino’s former players played college football in 2010, and four have advanced to the professional ranks. His teams have won eight state championships, seven at Rockhurst, and one at Shawnee Mission Northwest High School (Shawnee, Kan.). He is the only coach to win titles in both Missouri and Kansas.

“I have been very fortunate as a coach to have received many honors and awards, but to be named a head coach for the U.S. Army All-American Bowl is one of the most prestigious honors any coach can receive,” said Coach Severino. “Just to be associated with the U.S. Army All-American Bowl and to be named the head coach is an honor that I will cherish for the rest of my life.”

The U.S. Army All-American Bowl features the top 90 high school players from across the country. The Bowl’s Selection Tour will kick-off in September and run throughout the fall. The 2011 U.S. Army All-American Bowl drew a crowd of nearly 38,000 to the Alamodome, and was the most-watched sporting event on television over the weekend, excluding the NFL playoffs.

The U.S. Army Accessions Command (USAAC), a subordinate command of U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command, meets the human resource needs of the Army by transforming volunteers into officers, warrant officers, and enlisted Soldiers. In providing the force, the 18,391 men and women of Accessions Command prepare these future Soldiers and leaders for their initial military training. Commanded by Lt. Gen. Benjamin C. Freakley, USAAC is located at Fort Knox, Ky.

The U.S. Army All-American Bowl is owned and produced by All American Games, a New Jersey-based sport marketing and event management company. National sponsors of the All-American Bowl include the U.S. Army, Rivals.com, Russell Athletic, San Antonio Convention & Visitors Bureau, Gatorade, Schutt Sports, NCSA, TapouT, Oakley, NewTek and Football University. National sponsors of the All-American Marching Band include MENC: The National Association for Music Education, Drum Corps International, Jupiter Band Instruments and DeMoulin Uniforms.

For more information on the U.S. Army All-American Bowl and its related events visit www.usarmyallamericanbowl.com & www.goarmy.com/events/aab.

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CONTACTS:
Adam Liberman, All American Games, 678-643-7784; aliberman@allamericangames