Long Island will soon host an exciting showcase of high school football talent as the National Football Foundation All-Star Classic takes place this summer. Scheduled for Saturday, June 21, at 1 p.m., the game will feature the top players from Long Island going head-to-head against the best from New York City. The event will be held at Hofstra University.
This new all-star game comes as a replacement for the Empire Challenge, which had been organized by the Boomer Esiason Foundation for 24 years before being canceled in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The National Football Foundation and the College Football Hall of Fame’s New York City chapter are now taking the reins, aiming to deliver a similar experience for athletes.
According to Marc Hudak, president of the National Football Foundation’s NYC chapter, the leadership may have changed, but the goal remains the same. “We want the student-athletes to get the same treatment as they did with Boomer,” he said. Plans are in place to honor Esiason by naming the game’s MVP after him to respect his contributions to the sport.
Coaching the Long Island team will be Garden City’s David Ettinger, with roster selections for both teams happening shortly. Long Island’s players will be picked on Monday, followed by NYC’s selection on Tuesday. The event will be coordinated by Pete Blieberg, who has extensive experience from his time running the Empire Challenge.
Hudak emphasizes the importance of communication for the game’s success. With sponsorships from Riddell, along with the New York Jets and Giants, there’s confidence surrounding the event. The teams will also don the colors of famous college football rivalries, with Long Island wearing the away uniforms of Ohio State and NYC sporting the home colors of Michigan.
As excitement builds for this revamped showcase, players and fans alike are eager to witness this clash of talent between Long Island and NYC high school stars.
