OTTAWA (CIS)  Running back Jesse Lumsden, from the McMaster University Marauders, and defensive tackle Nick Johansson, from the University of British Columbia Thunderbirds, are the two Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) football players selected to suit up in the 80th edition of the East-West Shrine Game on January 15, 2005 at SBC Park in San Francisco, California.

Lumsden and Johansson are the 40th and 41st CIS representatives since 1985 to be invited to the annual all-star showcase, which features over 80 of the top United States college players. Every year since 1925, the Shrine Game has been played to benefit children who receive free medical care at 22 Shriners Hospitals for Children throughout the U.S. To date, the game has raised more than $14 million for Shriners Hospitals.

Lumsden, a 22-year-old native of Burlington, Ont. becomes only the second CIS running back invited to the East-West Shrine Game, following former Marauders teammate and CIS player of the year Kojo Aidoo, who was a member of the East team in 2002. The geography student enjoyed one of the best seasons in CIS history in 2004, in his fourth campaign at McMaster, and earned the Hec Crighton Trophy as the nation's top player. The 6-foot-2, 226-pound back established new CIS single-season records with 1816 rushing yards and 21 touchdowns, and a CIS career mark with 47 majors.

"Jesse is honoured to represent the Province of Ontario, Ontario University Athletics (OUA) and Eastern Canada in the 80th annual East-West Shrine Game," said McMaster head coach Marcello Campanaro. "Jesse possesses a unique combination of size, strength and speed that has allowed him to shatter Canadian rushing records over the past two seasons. He is looking forward to the opportunity to both compete against the worlds best collegiate football players, and to support the Shriners Hospitals for Children."

Johansson, a 25-year-old commerce student from Richmond, B.C. is the third Thunderbird invited to the classic, following offensive linemen Bob Beveridge in 1998 and Leo Groenewegen in 1987. The 6-foot-2, 275-pound senior placed third in the Canada-West conference with nine tackles for losses in nine overall games this fall, helping UBC improve from an 0-8 regular-season record in 2003 to a 5-3 mark and a playoff appearance this year. He was named on the first all-Canadian team.

"It is a great honour for Nick and our program for him to be chosen to represent the Canada West conference at the East-West Shrine Game," commented UBC head coach Lou DesLauriers. "Nick's work ethic, ability and great attitude will allow him to represent the conference very well. He takes great pride in being selected and is looking forward to this great opportunity."

Players who have represented the CIS at the East-West Shrine Game in recent years include 2004 CFL Outstanding Canadian Jason Clermont (2002, Regina), an inside receiver with the Grey Cup finalist B.C. Lions; B.C. teammate and offensive lineman Carl Gourgues (2004, Laval); and Chicago Bears defensive tackle Israel Idonije (2003, Manitoba).

The East and West teams for the 80th edition of the Shrine Game will be headed by Joe Tiller, from Purdue University, and Mike Riley, from Oregon State University. Tiller has led the Boilermakers to seven consecutive bowl berths while Riley came back to Oregon State in 2003 following a four-year stint in the NFL, including three as head coach of the San Diego Chargers.

Western CIS players in the East-West Shrine Game

Year Player Pos. Ht. Wt. University Head Coach
1985 Tom Spoletini OL 6'2" 270 Calgary Peter Connellan
1986 Kent Warnock DE 6'7" 265 Calgary Peter Connellan
1987 Leo Groenewegen OT 6'4" 260 UBC Frank Smith
1988 Craig Watson OL 6'2" 250 Calgary Peter Connellan
1989 Brent Korte DE 6'1" 225 Alberta Jim Donlevy
1990 Mark Singer LB 6'0" 221 Alberta Jim Donlevy
1991 Mike Pavelec OL 6'6" 280 Calgary Peter Connellan
1992 Jason Rauhaus DE 6'1" 240 ManitobaScott Spurgeon
1993 Chris Konrad DE 6'3" 235 Calgary Peter Connellan
1994 Travis Serke OT 6'3" 290 Sask. Brian Towriss
1995 Rohn Meyer OG 6'4" 280 Calgary Peter Connellan
1996 Don Blair WR 6'4" 280 Calgary Peter Connellan
1997 Ben Fairbrother OL 6'4" 305 Calgary Peter Connellan
1998 Bob Beveridge OL 6'6" 308 UBC Casey Smith
1999 Scott Flory OT 6'4" 290 Sask. Brian Towriss
2000 Kevin Lefsrud OT 6'4" 285 Sask. Brian Towriss
2001 Carlo Panaro OL 6'2" 281 Alberta Tom Wilkinson
2002 Jason Clermont IR 6'1" 236 Regina Frank McCrystal
2003 Israel Idonije DT 6'7" 285 ManitobaBrian Dobie
2004 Ibrahim Khan OL 6'4" 305 SFU Chris Beaton
2005 Nick Johansson DT 6'2" 275 UBC Lou DesLauriers

Eastern CIS players in the East-West Shrine Game

Year Player Pos. Ht. Wt. University Head Coach
1986 Mike Schad OT 6'5" 294 Queen's Doug Hargreaves
1987 Louie Godry OL 6'1" 240 Guelph Dan McNalley
1988 Pierre VerchevalOL 6'2" 272 Western Larry Haylor
1989 Leroy Blugh LB 6'2" 230 Bishop'sIan Breck
1990 Chris Gioskos OL 6'3" 275 Ottawa Jim Daley
1991 Paul Vajda OL 6'2" 265 ConcordiaPat Sheahan
1992 Chris Morris OL 6'6" 285 Toronto Bob Laycoe
1993 Mike O'Shea LB 6'3" 225 Guelph Dan McNalley
1994 Val St. Germain OG 6'4" 290 McGill Charlie Baillie
1995 Matt Quiviger OT 6'5" 282 McGill Charlie Baillie
1996 Harry V.HofwegenDT 6'4" 252 CarletonDonn Smith
1997 Mark Farraway DL 6'5" 260 StFX John Stevens
1998 Dave M.-JohnstonP/K 6'1" 180 ConcordiaPat Sheahan
1999 Cameron Legault DT 6'3" 245 CarletonDonn Smith
2000 Kojo Millington DE 6'3" 245 Wilfrid Laurier Rick Zmich
2001 Randy Chevrier DL 6'4" 295 McGill Charlie Baillie
2002 Kojo Aidoo RB 5'11" 235 McMasterGreg Marshall
2003 Adam MacDonald LB 5'11" 215 StFX Dennis McPhee
2004 Carl Gourgues OL 6'1" 290 Laval Glen Constantin
2005 Jesse Lumsden RB 6'2" 226 McMasterMarcello Campanaro

Breakdown of CIS Players in the East-West Shrine Classic

By position
Offensive line 21
Defensive line 11
Linebacker 4
Receiver 2
Running back 2
Kicker 1
TOTAL: 41

By university
Calgary 8
McGill 3
Alberta 3
Saskatchewan 3
UBC 3
Concordia 2
Guelph 2
Carleton 2
Manitoba 2
StFX 2
McMaster 2
Bishop's 1
Ottawa 1
Queen's