University of Minnesota Duluth senior outside linebacker Russ Rabe (Lake Holcombe, Wis.) earned an unprecedented honor this week as he was selected to participate in the 2005 Hula Bowl, Division I college football’s premiere all-star event.

Rabe will be the second player in Bulldog football history to participate in a national Division I post-season all-star game joining former UMD offensive tackle Dave Viaene, an eighth round draft pick of the Houston Oilers in 1988. Viaene was the only non-Division I athlete selected to participate in the 1988 East-West Shrine Bowl. Rabe is one of just five non-Division I players picked to participate in the 2005 Hula Bowl.

Since its debut in 1947, the Hula Bowl has featured countless Heisman Trophy winners and future NFL stars including Otto Graham, Tony Dorsett, O.J. Simpson, Paul Hornung, Larry Csonka and Billy Sims.

The 59th version of college football’s most prestigious all-star game takes place on Saturday, Jan. 22. Kickoff is slated for 6 p.m. CST and 2 p.m. HST at War Memorial Stadium on the island of Maui in Hawaii. The game will be telecast live on ESPN2 and broadcast on the Westwood One/CBS Radio Network.

Rabe, who finished his Bulldog career as the University’s all-time leader in quarterback sacks with 29, was one of only two Minnesota-based players selected to the Hula Bowl roster. University of Minnesota safety Justin Fraley was the other. Recently tabbed First Team All-NCC, Rabe led the conference in tackles for a loss and was named to D2Football.com’s All-Northwest Region Second Team. He concluded his UMD career with 224 total tackles including 45.5 tackles for a loss.

“It is great to see Russ get an opportunity to play with and against the best in college football,” said UMD head coach Kyle ‘Bubba’ Schweigert. “He is well deserving of this honor and will represent the University of Minnesota Duluth and the North Central Conference very well.”

Rabe is currently in Maui and will open practice this morning. The teams will practice again on Wednesday and Thursday, with the NFL scouting drills to follow Wednesday’s workout.