Dec. 20, 2000

VERMILLION, S.D. - Two seniors on the University of South Dakota football team have been named to the West squad and will play in the Cactus Bowl on Jan. 12 at Javelina Stadium in Kingsville, Texas. The Cactus Bowl (formerly the Snow Bowl), being held for the eighth time, is the NCAA Division II All-Star game. USD linebacker Josh Stamer and cornerback Kaseem Gaines have been named to the West All-Star team.

The game pits the top NCAA Division II players in the nation. Stamer and Gaines will be in Kingsville for a week-long schedule of events, culminating with the game, which will be televised live on FOX Sports Southwest and by the FOX Sports Network.

Stamer, a 6'2", 230-pound linebacker from Sutherland, Iowa, had a spectacular senior season in helping lead the Coyotes to an 8-3 record in a turnaround season for USD. Stamer, who played the strong-side linebacker position, led the North Central Conference in tackles for a loss with 21 for 56 yards. He was fourth in the conference in sacks with six for 42 yards. In addition, he had five defensive pass breakups, a forced fumble and fumble recovery. On four occasions he recorded three tackles for a loss in a game this season. He recorded at least one tackle for a loss in all 11 games and had a sack in each of the first four games. A senior co-captain, Stamer was named to the Academic All-NCC team for a second consecutive season and was a Daktronics All-Midwest Region second-team selection at linebacker. In his career, Stamer has 90 unassisted tackles and 152 total tackles. He has recorded 36 tackles for a loss of 137 yards, 15.5 sacks, three fumble recoveries, three interceptions and a defensive touchdown. He will graduate next semester with a 3.8 grade point average and a master's degree in accounting.

Gaines, a 6'1", 210-pound cornerback from Trenton, N.J., had three interceptions for 71 yards, including a 29-yard return for a score, during his senior season. He also recovered a blocked punt in the end zone for a touchdown. Gaines had 25 tackles, including 23 unassisted stops, five pass breakups, and two tackles for a loss (4 yards). During his two years at USD, Gaines he has 46 unassisted tackles and 55 total tackles. In addition, he has six tackles for a loss (23 yards), 20 pass breakups, five interceptions, four blocked kicks, and two fumble recoveries. Gaines has scored four defensive/special teams touchdowns during his two seasons at USD.

Rick Dykes, former offensive coordinator at Texas Tech, will be the head coach of the West team. Members of his staff include: Clovis Hale, offensive line coach, former offensive line coach at Texas Tech, Eddie Vowell, running backs coach, former head coach at Texas A&M-Commerce, Don Carthel, defensive head coach and linebackers, former head coach at Eastern New Mexico, Henry Ross, defensive line coach, former assistant coach at Texas A&M-Commerce, and Jack Taryien, defensive backs coach, former head coach at Texas Tech.

The Shriners Hospital for Children has been named as the designed charity for the Cactus Bowl. Proceeds from the game will go to the Shriners' 22 children's hospitals throughout the United States, Mexico and Canada.