Former Texas State Football Player Matt Padron To Compete For Team USA In World Championship Of American Football
VIENNA, Va. - Departed Texas State University football senior Matt Padron has been named to Team USA, a 45 player squad which will take part in the 2007 World Championship of American Football in July. It will mark the first time that the United State will play in the international competition.
The announcement of the inaugural team was made by USA Football Executive Director Scott Hallenbeck and Head Coach John Mackovic.
The six-country tournament will be held July 7-15 in Kawasaki, Japan. This year's event is the third staged by the International Federation of American Football (IFAF). Team USA will face Germany and Korea in pool play. The other pool will consist of host and two-time defending champion Japan along with Sweden and France.
"All of our efforts over the last year have been directed towards this announcement," Hallenbeck said. "Filling out our roster is another important milestone for USA Football. We now know the players who will represent our country and our game at the World Championship. All of us at USA Football are looking forward to seeing this team take the field for the first time."
The 45 players selected were chosen from a pool of 2006 college seniors and represent all levels of college football. NCAA and NAIA schools were asked by USA Football to nominate up to two seniors during the season. That list was pared down by the Team USA coaching staff through film evaluation.
"This team is a complete cross section of U.S. football," Team USA Head Coach John Mackovic said. "We're excited that we are able to blend every level of college football and put together a team of players from schools of every size. We hope to represent our country in the highest fashion and be great ambassadors for football around the world."
Padron, a native of Keller, Texas, was a three-year letter winner for the Bobcats who started three games at offensive tackle in 2006. Padron is the only Southland Conference representative on the team and one of five Texans who make up the squad.
Team USA will train at San Jose State University from June 20 to July 4 prior to leaving for Japan.