Indianapolis Colts News

P.O BOX 535000 INDIANAPOLIS, IN 46254

November 8, 2004

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

COLTS TO HONOR 2004 INDIANA HIGH SCHOOL ACADEMIC ALL-STARS

The Indianapolis Colts will be honoring 24 high school student-athletes this Sunday, November 14 at 8:30 a.m. in Room 143-4 of the Indiana Convention Center (adjacent to the ATA North Lounge).

In conjunction with the Indiana High School Athletic Association and the Indiana Football Coaches Association, the Colts will cite 24 outstanding student-athletes with an award called the 2004 Indiana High School Academic All-Stars.

The Colts, the IHSAA and the IFCA have worked together for the past six years to present these annual awards to the top student-athletes at each position. This year, the IFCA polled high school head coaches around the state, and the coaches tabbed approximately 125 players who ranked in the top ten percent of their respective classes. The IFCA selection committee narrowed the list to 24 winners, and those chosen truly represent the spirit of the award. Twenty-one of the 24 honorees are either class valedictorian (14) or salutatorian (7). Nine of the 10 high school regions throughout the State of Indiana have an award-winner, and each of the state’s five classes is represented on the all-star team.

The 24 2004 Indiana High School Academic All-Stars will be honored on Sunday at the morning program, and they will be presented at halftime of the Colts-Houston Texans game (kickoff is 1:00 p.m. ET).

“On behalf of Jim Irsay and the Irsay family, and with deep appreciation for the IHSAA and IFCA, the Colts are pleased to honor 24 outstanding football players who represent their families and schools in an outstanding manner,” said Colts President Bill Polian. “The dedication it takes to be an excellent achiever in the classroom and on the playing field is something that goes unnoticed too often. This award honors those young men who carry themselves with dignity, integrity and a sense of purpose. They, like many other students, possess the values cherished in young adults. We are pleased to identify these individuals, and it will be an honor to recognize them on our playing field this Sunday.”

“On behalf of the IFCA, this is a great opportunity to honor another group of outstanding high school student-athletes around the State of Indiana. This is what the IFCA is all about, and we thank the coaches and parents who helped shape the lives of these young men,” said Mark A. Miller, athletic director and head football coach at Rochester High School and past IFCA president. “Everyone I have talked with about this program is excited about the Indianapolis Colts’ participation with high schools. We look forward to this being a long-lasting mutual relationship.”

Media members are invited to cover Sunday’s press conference. Reporters and photographers may report to Room 143-4 at 8:00 a.m. For more information, please call Pam Humphrey at (317) 808-5111.

2004 Indiana High School Academic All-Stars

OFFENSE

Pos. Name High School

WR Eric Raver North Decatur

WR Jordan McClain Whiteland

TE Mark Turpin Evansville Harrison

OL Justin Wirth Floyd Central

OL Cody Panszi Muncie Central

OL John Garrison Clinton Central

OL Andy Steward Plainfield

OL Kurt Graham Pioneer

QB Kai McCurdy Anderson Highland

RB Bryan Wong Tippecanoe Valley

RB Tyler Frounfelter Rochester

RB Tim Schrock Avon

DEFENSE

Pos. Name High School

DL Josh Ratcliff Lafayette Harrison

DL Jason Toler Indianapolis North Central

DL Joshua Weddell Indianapolis Northwest

DL Thomas Bemenderfer Penn

LB Kyle Bowman Southwood

LB Mark Graves Evansville Memorial

LB Tommy Szalasny West Lafayette

LB Devin Shone New Castle

DB Philip Schmidt South Adams

DB Shea Idlewine Madison Grant

DB Cal Bearman Heritage

PK Matthew Hostettler North Posey