Dec. 10, 2009

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WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Purdue defensive tackle Mike Neal will play in the 85th-annual East-West Shrine Game.

The game is scheduled for Jan. 23, 2010, in Orlando, Fla. Kickoff is set for 3 p.m. ET.

The 6-foot-4, 302-pound Neal, from Merrillville, Ind., will play for the East Team. Neal was named honorable mention All-Big Ten this season after recording 35 tackles (20 solo, 15 assists), including 11.5 for loss and 5.5 sacks. He recovered two fumbles and forced one.

Dating to 1925, the East-West Shrine Game is the oldest and one of the most respected of the postseason collegiate bowl games. But what makes the East-West Game so special is its true purpose - helping to support Shriners Hospitals for Children.

Every year, the East-West Game has been played to raise funds for Shriners Hospitals for Children and to raise awareness about the expert orthopaedic, burn, spinal cord injury rehabilitation, and cleft lip and palate care, available at no charge to patients and families, through the 22 Shriners Hospitals for Children.

The players themselves regard the game in a special light, as they learn the true purpose of the game during a pregame visit to the Shriners Hospital in Tampa, Fla.

The East team will be coached by Romeo Crennel. He spent 28 years as an NFL coach, including a four-season stint as head coach of the Cleveland Browns from 2005 to 2008.

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