Jan. 10, 2006

LAS VEGAS - Greg Estandia is the first tight end from UNLV to ever be selected to play in the Hula Bowl, the school announced Tuesday.

The 60th annual college football all-star game, which moves back to Aloha Stadium in Honolulu after eight years at War Memorial Stadium on Maui, will take place Saturday Jan. 21 and be shown live on ESPN at 4 p.m. PT.

Head coaches for the game will be Washington's Tyrone Willingham, who will oversee the West Team, and Auburn's Tommy Tubberville, who will handle sideline duties for the East.

This past season, Estandia, one of four team captains, became the first tight end to lead UNLV in receptions since 1972 and scored more touchdowns (seven) than anyone playing his position in school history.

The 6-foot-8 native of Moorpark, Calif., led the Rebels with 49 catches for 563 yards and was named UNLV's Offensive MVP. Estandia was also a Second Team All-Mountain West Conference honoree as well as being tabbed the John Mackey Award National Tight End of the Week on Oct. 26.

This marks the third consecutive season a Rebel has been picked for the Hula Bowl, joining running backs Dominique Dorsey after the 2004 season and Larry Croom in 2003.

Overall, Estandia will be the 10th UNLV player to travel to the Islands for the event. The only other Rebel tight end to ever play in a postseason all-star game is DeJhown Mandley, who took part in the Las Vegas All-American Classic in 2002.