Thursday, January 23, 2020

BURNABY, B.C. – After earning First Team All-GNAC and All-Super Region 4 honors from the Don Hansen Committee, Simon Fraser senior wide receiver Rysen John has accepted an invitation to play in a resurrected edition of the Hula Bowl.

Returning as a college all-star game after an 11-year hiatus, the Hula Bowl will be played on Sunday, Jan. 26, at 5:30 p.m. Hawaii time at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu, and will be aired live on the CBS Sports Network.

The game will not only feature college players from NCAA schools in the United States and Canada but also international players from Australia and the United Kingdom. The game is designed to help give players a chance to play in front of professional scouts.

“It’s a real honor to be in Hawaii and have a chance to play at the next level,” John said. “Not only being here representing the SFU football program but also representing where I’m from, representing Canada. It’s a blessing to be invited and able to play in this bowl game on Sunday.”

A First Team All-GNAC and Third Team All-Super Region 4 selection by the Don Hansen Committee, John led the GNAC and finished 25th in Division II with an average of 86.1 receiving yards per game. His 10 receiving touchdowns also ranked 10th in Division II.

“Playing in the Hula Bowl is going to play a huge part in helping Rysen toward his professional football career goals,” said Simon Fraser head coach Thomas Ford. “This gives him an opportunity to showcase his talent among some of the best players in the nation.”

John becomes just the second player in GNAC history invited to the Hula Bowl. Western Oregon defensive back Chris Angel played in the 2001 edition of the game.