Docherty Named To Hula Bowl Squad

UW-Oshkosh tight end Bob Docherty (Sr. • Oshkosh) has accepted an invitation by the American Football Coaches Association to play in the 60th Annual Hula Bowl All-Star Football Game on Jan. 21 in Honolulu, Hawaii. The 6 p.m. (CST) contest will be televised from Aloha Stadium on ESPN2 and broadcast worldwide on the Westwood One/CBS Radio Network.

Docherty takes part in one of college football's legendary all-star games as a member of the West team. University of Washington head football coach Tyrone Willingham will guide the West squad, while Auburn University (Ala.) head football coach Tommy Tuberville will lead the East team.

Docherty played the 2003 and 2005 seasons at UW-Oshkosh after transferring from NCAA Division I University of Wisconsin. This past year, Docherty received NCAA Division III All-West Region second team and All-WIAC first team honors after displaying excellent blocking skills and catching 18 passes for 167 yards and two touchdowns. In 2003, Docherty caught 25 passes for 285 yards and three touchdowns, including seven for 62 yards and one score in UW-Oshkosh's 31-21 loss to UW-River Falls.

Docherty played the 2001 and 2002 seasons at the University of Wisconsin. In 2001, he played in all 12 games for the Badgers, but didn't catch a pass. Docherty appeared in 12 of the Badgers' 14 games in 2002, including the University of Wisconsin's 31-28 victory over the University of Colorado in the Alamo Bowl. Docherty caught 10 passes for 118 yards and one touchdown that season.

Docherty is the first UW-Oshkosh football player to participate in the Hula Bowl, and only the second from the WIAC. Last year, UW-Whitewater defensive back Trey Bell was named to the East team.

Hula Bowl rosters are made up almost entirely of NCAA Division I players. This year, however, three NCAA Division III players will take part in the game, Docherty, quarterback Brett Elliott of Linfield College (Ore.) and defensive back Wes Hostetler of Ohio Northern University. Elliott and Hostetler will play for the East team.

Docherty will arrive in Honolulu on Jan. 16 and take part in a week of work and lots of fun. The East and West squads will practice daily and conduct drills in front of several National Football League scouts. Then there's fun away from the field, a grand luau, surfing contest, luxurious meals and a chance to relax on the beach.

The Hula Bowl will be the second all-star game for Docherty in a five week period, as he also played in the Aztec Bowl on Dec. 17 in Toluca, Mexico. Docherty was named team captain of a NCAA Division III all-star squad that defeated the Mexican National Team in the Aztec Bowl, 53-15.

UW-Oshkosh posted a 7-3 record this past season, including a third place 4-3 mark in the WIAC. The Titans' overall record was their best since 1976.