TOWSON, Md. –  All-Pro NFL tackle Jermon Bushrod of the New Orleans Saints, a 2007 graduate of Towson University, will be the featured speaker when fans of the 2011 Colonial Athletic Association Champion Tiger football team join the coaches, student-athletes and staff for the Gridiron Gala, the Tigers' official championship celebration, on Friday, April 20 at the Valley Mansion in Hunt Valley, Md. 

Presented by Towson University Athletics and the Tiger Club, the Gridiron Gala will commemorate the team's championship season and will culminate with the presentation of the CAA Championship Rings.

“I cannot think of a current player who is a better representative of the positive aspects football can bring to a Towson player, a championship team or the tight knit Towson community,” says Coach Rob Ambrose, the 2011 Eddie Robinson National Coach of the Year & the CAA Coach of the Year. “We are lucky to have such a tremendous person, football player and family member join us in our celebration.”

A four-year starter at tackle for the Tigers, Bushrod was drafted by New Orleans in the fourth round of the NFL draft. After two seasons as a reserve, he moved into the starting lineup in 2009 as the Saints' left tackle.  In his first season as a starting tackle, he helped the Saints win their first Super Bowl championship with a 31-17 win over Indianapolis.

In the last three years, the King George, Va. native has helped the Saints reach the playoffs three times. He has started 51 of the Saints' last 52 games and earned All-Pro honors this season.

“We are very excited to have Jermon Bushrod serve as our keynote speaker for the Gridiron Gala,” said Mike Waddell, the Director of Athletics at Towson University. “Jermon is part of our family and having him join us will make the gala even more special. Every Tiger football fan will want to be a part of this special evening.”

Tickets for the event can be purchased individually or in tables of ten (10).  A portion of the ticket cost will be credited as a tax-deductible gift to the football program.

The social hour begins at 6 p.m. with dinner and awards beginning at 7 p.m.

A live auction will be highlighted by a trip for two (2) and two (2) tickets to the Director of Athletics Suite for the Towson/LSU football game on September 29, 2012 in Baton Rouge, La.

The attire for the evening is Business Formal. Pre-registration is REQUIRED.  Please R.S.V.P. by Wednesday, April 11. 

Please click here to register for the Gridiron Gala today!

If you are unable to attend, but would like to make a gift to support the football program, please click here.