Okpani, Sapp selected to play in all-star game
Dec. 8, 2009

LaGrange College seniors Richard Okpani and Alex Sapp have been selected to play in the 2009 Tazón de Estrellas (Bowl of the Stars) on Saturday, Dec. 19 on the Tec de Monterrey Campus Estado de Mexico. The pair becomes the first LaGrange players selected to play in a post season all-star event.

Okpani and Sapp are part of a provisional roster of 51 players selected from NCAA Division III teams from across the country by Team Stars & Stripes head coach Bill Manlove. A total of 35 colleges from 20 states are represented on the Team Stars & Stripes roster.

"We are so proud to have Richard and Alex selected to play in this all-star game," LaGrange head coach Todd Mooney said. "It is a great honor for these young men and for the LaGrange football program; both of these players are very deserving of their selection. It is exciting to have Panthers putting on the red, white and blue to represent their country."

Okpani, a linebacker, was a four-year starter for the Panthers and started all 41 games of his career. This past season, Okpani served as team captain for the third straight season and was second on the team with 65 total tackles. He finished his career at LaGrange as the team's all-time leaderin total tackles (250), assisted tackles (99), tackles for loss (27.5) and forced fumbles (7). Okpani was the SLIAC Defensive Player of the Year and a first team All-SLIAC selection as a junior.

Sapp, a defensive end, was a three-year starter for the Panthers. Sapp had 31 tackles this season. He had eight tackles for losses, including five quarterback sacks. In 2008, Sapp was a first-team All-SLIAC selection and a member of the SLIAC All-Academic team. He is a Shibley-Hicks Scholarship recipient and has received the A.M. Hicks Award. Sapp has earned Dean's List honors five times.

 The all-star team will practice at the Tec Monterrey (CEM) facility in Atizapan de Zaragoza near Mexico City, from Dec. 14 to 18 and will also visit the Aztec Pyramids and the nation's capital before facing their Mexican opponents.  Tec Monterrey is the premier private university system in Mexico, with campuses in numerous locations around the country. Tec teams have captured eight of the past ten Liga Major football national championships. 
  
Russell Athletic and The Graphic Edge have partnered with Global Football Inc. as official apparel, uniform and ball suppliers for the Tazon de Estrellas.  Spalding, a Russell Athletic Brand, will be the official football for the game, while Russell and The Graphic Edge will outfit Team Stars & Stripes players and coaches in Russell Athletic uniforms and specially designed apparel.