University of Idaho kicker/punter Austin Rehkow became the 22^nd player in school history to be chosen to play in the East-West Shrine Game, which is Jan. 21, 2017 at Tropicana field at St. Petersburg, Fla.
 
Rehkow rewrote the kicking and punting record books during his four-year career as a Vandal. He has been a Ray Guy and Lou Groza semifinalist and was a Guy Award semifinalist as a sophomore. He was a first-team all-Sun Belt Conference selection at punter as a senior and a second-team choice at kicker.
 
He not only has remarkable length as a punter but accuracy and the ability to place the ball – particularly when the Vandals are kicking from inside the 50.
 
The most recent Vandals chosen to play in the game were safety Shiloh Keo and quarterback Nathan Enderle in the 2011 game.
 
Rehkow joins an elite list of football greats, such as John Elway, Tom Brady, Brett Favre, and 74 NFL Hall of Famers, who have played in the East-West Shrine Game, in addition to more than 265 East-West Shrine Game alumni on NFL rosters each year. A strong performance at the East-West Shrine Game can greatly impact a player's chances of a career in the NFL. More than 100 players from last year's game signed with professional teams this spring, and more than 70 made final NFL rosters.

"The most important element of East-West Shrine Game has always been supporting Shriners Hospitals for Children," said East-West Shrine Game Executive Director Harold Richardson. "But during game week, it also affords our players an unmatched opportunity to showcase their talents and get their first taste of a potential career in the NFL."

Those who would like to support Rehkow and the East-West Shrine Game can do the following: Attend the East-West Shrine Game in St. Petersburg on Saturday, January 21 at noon PT; tune in to watch the game on NFL Network, or listen live on the East-West Shrine Game Radio Network. East-West Shrine Game tickets will be available for purchase beginning December 1 through all Tickets.com outlets.  Fans can purchase tickets for the game online at shrinegame.com, or tickets.com. Game tickets are $15 general admission seating (price does not include service fees).