IRISH AMERICAN FOOTBALL LEAGUE - 27th JUNE 2005.

IRISH PLAYER EARNS SCHOLARSHIP TO PLAY IN USA.

Glen Baker pictured in his Ireland uniform prior to the recent Celtic Classic game.

IAFL player Glen Baker has been awarded a scholarship worth in excess of $70,000 to play American football in the USA for the next 2 years. Baker is one of the best young players in the IAFL and in spite of being only 17 years old, is already in the Irish national squad. This autumn, he will travelling to Connecticut, USA to spend the next two years enrolled in Salisbury School and playing for the Salisbury Crimson Knights. Baker was recommended to Salisbury by representatives of the Global Football organisation who attended the recent Celtic Classic game between Ireland and Adrian College, Michigan. Baker started for the Ireland team and performed well in the game.

Baker has played all of his American football in Ireland. The 6-4 260lb offensive lineman played his first year of senior football for the Cork Admirals in 2004. In spite of his age and inexperience, he broke into the Ireland squad for the first Celtic Classic game against John Carroll University in May 2004 and started against the Great Britain Bulldogs in September 2004. He transferred to the Dublin Dragons for the 2005 season - his family moved house.

Salisbury School is an exclusive boarding school in Connecticut which specializes in preparing students for college. The Crimson Knights play in the New England Prep School League. In the past eight years, they have had 4 undefeated regular seasons and have played for 3 New England Championships, winning one in 1999. They are coached by Chris Adamson, a former All Ivy League player with Dartmouth University.

It is hoped that the experience of being subject to good coaching, excellent strength and conditioning as well as the experience of playing prep school football will help Baker progress onto a college scholarship after he's finished his 2 years at Salisbury. Baker has the size to be successful at the highest level - he is already 6-4 260lbs and expected to get bigger as he matures and spends time in the gym. National team coach Phil DeMonte says he is a very dedicated and hard working player who will enjoy his time at Salisbury. Glen's family are delighted that their son has got this unique opportunity and are very supportive of him playing American football. Everyone on the IAFL wishes him luck and hopes that other young players will get similar opportunities in the future.