University of Louisiana at Lafayette Athletics
Ivan Taylor invited to Hula Bowl
10/30/2002 12:00:00 AM | Football
Thursday, Oct. 30, 2002
LAFAYETTE - The University of Louisiana at Lafayette announced on Tuesday that cornerback
Ivan Taylor has accepted an invitation to the 2003 Hula Bowl in Maui, Hawaii. Taylor's invitation to a post-season bowl marks the first by a Cajuns senior since Brandon Stokley was invited to the 1998 Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala.
The Gretna native has impressed NFL scouts with not only his size (6-1, 193) but also his 4.3 speed. After spending last season as a running back, Taylor is still adjusting to the defensive secondary, a position he earned three letters in at Abramson High School.
"This is a tremendous opportunity for Ivan," said Cajuns secondary coach Gary Bartel. "Every NFL scout will be there, giving Ike the opportunity to make a name for himself."
The Hula Bowl Maui will kick-off at 4:00pm HST / 9:00pm EST on Saturday, February 1, 2003 and will be played at the newly renovated War Memorial Stadium. University of Miami head coach Larry Coker, University of Texas head coach Mack Brown and Marshall University head coach Bob Pruett were named as coaches on April 4. Five additional coaches are expected to be named.
The inaugural Hula Bowl All-Star Football Classic was played on January 5, 1947 and has features such stars as Doak Walker, Otto Graham, Mike Garrett, Steve Owens, O.J. Simpson, Jim Plunkett, Tony Dorsett, Billy Sims, Rashaan Salaam, Danny Wuerffel, Ricky Williams, Zach Thomas and Ron Dayne.
Kordell Stewart was the Most Valuable Player of the 1994 Hula Bowl game. He had a 72-yard run in leading his West team to a 20-9 victory over the East. His performance elevated Stewart to the 27th pick in the second round of the NFL draft, higher than predicted before his appearance in the game.
After 50 years in Honolulu, an agreement was signed moving the game to Maui and War Memorial Stadium. The ESPN networks will televise the game as part of a six-year deal signed in 2001. The NFL Pro Bowl will be played the following day at Aloha Stadium on the Hawaiian Island of Oahu.
For more information, visit the official website of the Hula Bowl at www.hulabowlmaui.com.
-Ragin' Cajuns-
