USAfootball

Ben McLaughlin of Dierks, Ark., selected to 2011 U.S. Men's National Team in football

Former Louisiana College quarterback BEN MCLAUGHLIN of Dierks, Ark., has been selected to play for the 2011 U.S. Men’s National Team in football in the fourth International Federation of American Football (IFAF) Senior World ChampionshipJuly 8-16 in Austria. USA Football assembles America’s national teams in the sport for international competition.

McLaughlin is one of 39 players named to Team USA, led by former Northwest Missouri State University head coach and three-time NCAA Division II national champion MEL TJEERDSMA. Six players will be added to the roster in the coming weeks. U.S. Men’s National Team players must be at least 20 years old.

McClaughlin was a four-year starter for the Wildcats, breaking every major career passing record as well as setting American Southwest Conference career marks for passing yards and touchdowns. He threw for 3,770 yards and 42 touchdowns as a senior, winning the Mehlbergrer Trophy and being named one of the four finalists for the Gagliardi Trophy, given to the top student-athlete in Division III football.

The IFAF Senior World Championship is an eight-nation football tournament held every four years since 1999. Games will be played in Graz, Innsbruck and Vienna. The U.S. defeated Japan, 23-20, in double overtime in Tokyo, Japan, to win the 2007 tournament, the first that included Team USA. Prior to the United States’ participation, Japan earned gold medals at the first two IFAF Senior World Championships played in Palermo, Italy (1999), and Frankfurt, Germany (2003).

Fifty-nine (59) countries across five continents possess national football federations dedicated solely to football.

The United States is part of Group A along with Australia, Germany and Mexico. Group B includes Austria, Canada, France and Japan. A round robin schedule in group play determines who will compete for gold and bronze medals.

Team USA will conduct a training camp from June 28 to July 4 before departing for Austria. USA Football is the sport’s national governing body in the United States. National team participation does not affect NCAA eligibility.

Tjeerdsma led Northwest Missouri State to a 183-43 (.810) record in 17 seasons there. He was among the first three coaches inducted into the NCAA Division II College Football Hall of Fame before retiring in 2010.

“Our roster holds tremendously skilled players who recognize that success in football is rooted in playing as a team – and playing for America galvanizes us even more,” Tjeerdsma said. “We’ll be ready to face excellent competition in Austria and celebrate the world’s greatest game on an international stage.”

USA Football’s national team program is supported by the following corporate partners: Riddell, Marriott, Sports Authority, Gatorade, Shock Doctor and Rawlings.

U.S. Men’s National Team roster:

U.S. Men’s National Team coaching staff:

U.S. Men’s National Team Schedule:

                                      *Games above will be played in Innsbruck, Austria

2011 IFAF Senior World Championship Medal Round Schedule:

                                      *Games above will be played in Vienna, Austria

About USA Football

USA Football, the sport’s national governing body in the United States, inspires participation, and ensures a positive experience for all youth, high school, and other amateur players.The independent non-profit hosts more than 80 football training events annually for coaches, players and youth football league commissioners. USA Football is the official football development partner of the NFL and its 32 teams and manages U.S. national teams for international competition. Endowed by the NFL and NFL Players Association in 2002 through the NFL Youth Football Fund, USA Football distributes $1 million annually in equipment grants and offers youth league volunteer background check subsidies. Former NFL team executive Carl Peterson is USA Football’s chairman.