MSFA, MSHSL, AND MINNESOTA VIKINGS ANNOUNCE FOOTBALL PLAYOFF AND PREP BOWL ALUMNI CELEBRATION IN CONJUNCTION WITH 2016 PREP BOWL

Minneapolis, Minn. (Nov. 1, 2016) - Today, the Minnesota Sports Facilities Authority, Minnesota State High School League, and Minnesota Vikings announced a special event in conjunction with the 2016 Prep Bowl. The Football Playoff and Prep Bowl Alumni Celebration will honor past players from the football playoffs and Prep Bowl as well as championship winning coaches and record holders from 1972 to 2015.

This honorary celebration will take place on November 25 during halftime of the 6A championship game.

"We are thrilled to honor the past players and coaches at this year's Minnesota State High School League Football Championship," said MSFA Chair Michele Kelm-Helgen. "What better place to celebrate the state's best than U.S. Bank Stadium, which was built by Minnesotans for Minnesotans."

"As we start this new chapter of high school football in Minnesota at U.S. Bank Stadium, we found it important to remember the successes of the past," said Dave Stead, Executive Director of the Minnesota High School League. "We are inviting all players who participated in the playoffs or Prep Bowl along with championship winning coaches and record holders to attend the festivities to be recognized for their success, with the opportunity to reunite with teammates and coaches to share memories of why we play."

A number of Honorary Chair members have been elected for this celebration, including, Isaac Fruechte, wide receiver for the Vikings and two-time Prep Bowl Champion at Caledonia High School, cornerback Marcus Sherels, Vikings cornerback and Rochester John Marshall alumni, and Darrell Thompson, Rochester John Marshall Alumni and former Gopher and Packer, and Matt Birk, Director of Football Development for the NFL and former Viking and Cretin-Durham Hall alumni.

"The Vikings are proud to partner with the Minnesota State High School League and MSFA to put on this honorary celebration," said Kevin Warren, Vikings Chief Operating Officer. "We have a number of current and former players who came from Minnesota high schools and we are excited to acknowledge the impact that this tournament has had and will continue to have on the state of Minnesota."

Alumni players and coaches can go to www.mshsl.org/prepbowl to register where they will receive directions on how to buy tickets to the 2016 Prep Bowl through Ticketmaster.