Taraboi To Play In All-Star Football Game In Mexico

UW-Oshkosh linebacker James Taraboi (Sr. • Cedarburg) will represent the NCAA Division III in a football game against the Tec Monterrey All-Stars on Saturday (Dec. 19) in Atizapan de Zaragoza, Mexico. Kickoff to the Tazon de Estrellas (Bowl of the Stars) is set for noon (CST).

The NCAA Division III all-star team consists of 52 players, including linebacker Ryan Leis, quarterback Kyle Paulson, running back Cory Sartorelli and tight end Brett Schreiner of UW-Eau Claire, free safety Bryan Blum of UW-Stevens Point and defensive end Marcus Ball and cornerback Kendall Wade of UW-Stout. The squad, guided by former La Salle University (Pa.), Delaware Valley College and Widener University (Pa.) head coach Bill Manlove, began practicing for the game on Monday (Dec. 14) in Atizapan de Zaragoza.

A total of 70 players were selected to the Tec Monterrey all-star team. The squad is led by legendary coach Frank Gonzalez, who has won 13 national championships during a 24-year career at Campus Monterrey.

Tec Monterrey is the premier private university system in Mexico, with over 30 campuses around the country. This year's Tec Monterrey all-star team includes players from at least five of those campuses.

Saturday's game will air live via a webcast on GlobalFootball.com. The viewing fee is $5.

Taraboi is the third UW-Oshkosh player to participate in an all-star football game in Mexico. Previous UW-Oshkosh participants were wide receiver Jon May in 1998 and tight end Bob Docherty in 2005.

Taraboi started all 10 games this past season and earned All-WIAC first team honors after totaling 145 tackles, the second-highest total in UW-Oshkosh history. He also compiled 92 solo tackles, 53 assisted tackles, 14.5 tackles for a loss, 3.5 quarterback sacks, three forced fumbles, two pass interceptions and one recovered fumble. Taraboi currently leads the NCAA Division III in both total tackles per game (14.5) and solo tackles per game (9.5).

Taraboi counted at least nine tackles in every contest during the 2009 campaign. He racked up 13 or more tackles in each of the final eight games, including a career-best 21 in a 31-29 loss to Ohio Dominican University. During a 23-20 win over UW-Platteville, Taraboi tallied a career-high 13 solo tackles (16 overall). He also notched 10 tackles, two forced fumbles and one pass interception in the Titans' 31-13 victory over Huntingdon College (Ala.).

In 2008, Taraboi received All-WIAC second team honors after totaling 73 tackles, including 39 solo and five for a loss. As UW-Oshkosh's placekicker, Taraboi booted a 26-yard field goal with no time remaining to give the Titans a 17-16 win over Ohio Dominican University.

Taraboi compiled 46 tackles in 2007 and four in 2006.

Taraboi's 35-game UW-Oshkosh career featured 268 tackles, including 164 solo, 26 for a loss and eight quarterback sacks. He also forced four fumbles and intercepted three passes.