Shrine practice hits EOU campus

UNDER CENTER: Union’s Sam Fiorito prepares to hike the ball during the East’s team practice at Eastern Oregon University. The Shrine Game will be held in Baker at 1 p.m. Saturday. - Observer photos/BARRETT HENDERSON

Joseph’s Grant Marcum, Elgin’s Clint Predmore, Union’s Sam Fiorito and Nick West of Imbler are participating in the 57th annual East-West Shrine game in Baker City.

The game will be televised for the fifth straight year on Fox Sports Net Northwest. But despite all the exposure, the locals haven’t forgotten to be humble.

“This is just great,” Marcum said. “There is so much talent out here I’m just overwhelmed. It’s a little bit of a reality check.

“I was thinking about playing college football but there is a lot of size out here. There are a lot of amazing athletes. It can be a little bit intimidating.”

The young men involved also realize there’s a bigger meaning to the game off of the field.

“It feels great to help the kids out at the Shriners Hospital,” Fiorito said. “It’s great to do something that means so much to those kids.”

LEARNING LESSON: Joseph’s Grant Marcum (right) receives instruction from Heppner and Shrine coach Greg Grant. - Observer photo/BARRETT HENDERSON

“It’s been great so far here at EOU,” Fiorito said. “I like it a lot. We’ve been hanging out in the dorms and just walking around campus.”

The players have found other unique ways to occupy their time while on campus.

“We spent almost three hours in Primo’s Pizza and won thousands of tickets and now we have a disco room in the dorms,” Marcum said. “There are a few strobe lights and some other stuff in there. We’ve definitely had a lot of fun in the disco room.”

Marcum’s year has been quite a success. He was in the football state championship game, the state wrestling championships and the state championship game in baseball.

The East-West game has been a success in its own right. In its 56-year history it has raised $2.5 million for Shrine hospitals for children.

The game nicknamed “the greatest little Shrine game in the world” will kick-off Saturday at 1 p.m.