FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
TUESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2004

Team USA kicks off practice schedule; Texans QB Mike Quinn to join Houston area all-stars at Rice University

TEAM USA kicked off its preparations for the NFL Global Junior Championship VIII by holding the first of 10 practices at Rice University Stadium on Monday. The Houston-Harris County area all-stars also announced they will be joined on the field next week by Houston Texans quarterback MIKE QUINN.

Quinn will throw passes and offer Team USA advice ahead of the NFL Global Junior Championship from 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, January 20.

The quarterback was one of the original ten players signed by the new Texans organization in 2001. He previously played for the Miami Dolphins, Indianapolis Colts, Dallas Cowboys and Pittsburgh Steelers. A four-year letterman at Stephen F. Austin, Quinn led Rhein Fire of NFL Europe to the 1998 World Bowl and now resides in Houston.

Team USA head coach MIKE JOHNSTON is delighted to enlist the help of an experienced NFL veteran and said: “Having Mike attend one of our practices will be a good morale booster for the team. It will be a nice distraction from the hard work we are doing on the field and I’m sure they will benefit from his visit.’

Team USA put on pads for the first time on Monday at Rice University Stadium for the first of four practice sessions being held this week. “It’s hard to make too many observations just yet, but they looked like a talented group,” added Johnston. “We have a short time in which to implement a game plan and become a winning team, but we’ll give it our best shot.”

Johnston, who last month celebrated guiding Katy High School to the 5A Texas State Championship will lead Team USA against visiting teams from Russia, Japan, Mexico and Canada during the week of Super Bowl XXXVIII. Round robin games will be played at Tully Stadium on Wednesday January 28 (from 1pm) and Saturday 31 from 11am).

The remaining Team USA practice dates are: January 13, 14,15, 20, 21 and 22 from 4:00 p.m. to 6:15 p.m. at Rice University, and January 26, 27 and 29 from 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at North Shore High School.

Ends

Media are asked to submit a formal request by either telephone or email to attend Team USA practice.

Michael Preston
781-363-0305
michaelp67@aol.com