Dec. 13, 2001

LAS VEGAS - UNLV senior Kevin Thomas was one three cornerbacks named to his squad's roster for the 77th Annual East-West Shrine Game.

Thomas, a third-team All-American, will play for the West as part of the 77th annual event on Jan. 12, 2002. The game kicks off at 10:30 a.m. PST at Pac-Bell Park in San Francisco.

Proceeds benefit Shriners Hospitals for Children. The West's other corners were Rashad Bauman of Oregon and Keyou Craver of Nebraska. Oregon coach Mike Bellotti will lead the West Team this year while Illinois head man Ron Turner will be in charge of the East.

The 2001 Mountain West Conference Defensive Player of the Year, Thomas set seven school records this season while leading the nation in interception return yards with 213 and defensive scores with three.

Thomas, from nearby Sacramento, Calif., is the seventh UNLV player to earn an invite to the East-West, the most for any postseason all-star game. Former Rebel running back Kevin Brown took part in last year's West victory.

Three other players from the MWC will take part in this year's game: offensive lineman Chester Pitts of San Diego State, defensive end Justin Ena of Brigham Young and defensive tackle Zack Johnson of Air Force.

UNLV PLAYERS IN THE EAST-WEST SHRINE GAME
YEAR    PLAYER                  POS
2001    Kevin Thomas         DB2000    Kevin Brown           RB1995    Randy Gatewood          WR1987    Kirk Jones          RB1985    Randall Cunningham  QB1984    Kirk Dodge          LB1974    Mike Thomas             RB

77TH ANNUAL EAST-WEST SHRINE GAME ROSTERS
East Team
Quarterbacks - Woody Dantzler, Clemson University, George Godsey, Georgia Tech,Kurt Kittner, University of IllinoisRunning Backs - Ladell Betts, University of Iowa, Tony Fisher, University of Notre Dame,Dicenzo Miller, Mississippi State UniversityFullback - Kyle Johnson, Syracuse UniversityWide Receivers - Atrews Bell, Florida State University, Deion Branch,University of Louisville, Kelly Campbell, Georgia Tech, Ron Johnson,University of Minnesota,Marquise Walker, University of MichiganTight Ends - Clint Dodson, United States Military Academy (Army),Tim Stratton, Purdue UniversityOffensive Tackles - Joaquin Gonzalez, University of Miami,Artis Hicks, University of Memphis, Jermese Jones, University of Virginia,Melvin Paige, University of South Carolina, Lawrence Smith, Tennessee State University,Kurt Vollers, University of Notre DameOffensive Guards - Jonathan Goodwin, University of Michigan, Evan Routzahn,University of VirginiaCenters - Luke Butkus, University of Illinois, Curt McGill, University of GeorgiaDefensive Ends - Aaron Kampman, University of IowaDefensive Tackles - Charles Hill, University of MarylandLinebackers - Chad Carson, Clemson University, Larry Foote, University of Michigan,Pernell Griffin, East Carolina University, Ben Taylor, Virginia Tech,Will Witherspoon, University of Georgia, Max Yates, Marshall UniversityCornerbacks - Mike Echols, University of Wisconsin, Roosevelt Williams, Tuskegee UniversitySafeties - Jack Brewer, University of Minnesota, Bobby Jackson, University of Illinois,Willie Offord, University of South Carolina, Chris Young, Georgia TechKickers/Punters - Jeff Chandler, University of Florida

West Team
Quarterbacks - Randy Fasani, Stanford University, Joey Harrington, University of Oregon,J.T. O'Sullivan, UC DavisRunning Backs - Ennis Haywood, Iowa State University, Maurice Morris, University of Oregon,Deonce Whitaker, San Jose State University, Ricky Williams, Texas Tech UniversityFullback - Jarrod Baxter, University of New MexicoWide Receivers - Nate Jackson, Menlo College, Nakoa McElrath, Washington State University,Donnie O'Neal, Arizona State University, Rodney Wright, Fresno State UniversityTight Ends - Matt Schobel, Texas Christian UniversityOffensive Tackles - Matt Hill, Boise State University,Chester Pitts, San Diego State University, Langston Walker, University of CaliforniaOffensive Guards - Andy Eby, Kansas State UniversityCenters - Chris Gibson, Oregon State University, Zack Quaccia, Stanford UniversityDefensive Ends - Kevin DeRonde, Iowa State UniversityDefensive Tackles - Nate Dwyer, University of Kansas, Alan Harper, Fresno State University,Ken Kocher, UCLA, Zack Johnson, Air Force AcademyLinebackers - Jamie Burrow, University of Nebraska, Dan Dawson, Rice University,Justin Ena, Brigham Young University, Scott Fujita, University of California,Ryan Nece, UCLA, Everick Rawls, University of TexasCornerbacks - Kevin Thomas, UNLV, Rashad Bauman, University of Oregon,Keyou Craver, University of NebraskaSafeties - Kevin Curtis, Texas Tech University, Billy Newman, Washington State University,Charlie Owens, Texas Christian, Lamont Thompson, Washington State University