July 14, 2011

EVANSTON, Ill. -- Northwestern and the rest of the Big Ten Conference are in preparation for the annual two-day Big Ten Media Day and Kickoff Luncheon, scheduled this year for July 28-29 at McCormick Place in Chicago. The league announced Thursday the 36 student-athlete representatives attending the event, including offensive lineman Al Netter, defensive back Jordan Mabin and quarterback Dan Persa of Northwestern.

The 40th annual event will mark the University of Nebraska's first official appearance as a member of the Big Ten Conference and serves as the beginning to the 2011 football season, which will lead in to the inaugural Big Ten Football Championship Game, held Dec. 3 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.

The Kickoff Luncheon features all 12 conference head coaches and begins at 10 a.m. CT with the players and coaches autograph and photo session for fans attending the luncheon. The luncheon is scheduled to begin at 11:30 a.m. CT, with comments from all 12 coaches as well as Michigan State quarterback Kirk Cousins.

This year's student-athlete contingent includes 18 former All-Big Ten selections and three past All-Big 12 picks, including six first-team honorees from last season. The list also includes the 2010 Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year and Big 12 Newcomer of the Year.

Be sure to log on to the All-Access video player on NUsports.com as well as Northwestern Athletics' social media platforms -- @NU_Sports on Twitter and the Northwestern Athletics Facebook page -- for complete behind-the-scenes coverage of Big Ten Media Day and the Kickoff Luncheon.

2011 Big Ten Media Day and Kickoff Luncheon Attendees

LEGENDS DIVISION

IOWA
Mike Daniels, Sr., DT *
Marvin McNutt Jr., Sr., WR*
Tyler Nielsen, Sr., OLB

MICHIGAN
Kevin Koger, Sr., TE
Mike Martin, Sr., DT *
Denard Robinson, Jr., QB *

MICHIGAN STATE
Edwin Baker, Jr., RB *
Kirk Cousins, Sr., QB *
Trenton Robinson, Sr., S *

MINNESOTA
Duane Bennett, Sr., RB
MarQueis Gray, Jr., QB
Mike Rallis, Jr., LB

NEBRASKA
Rex Burkhead, Jr., RB *
Jared Crick, Sr., DT *
Lavonte David, Sr., LB *

NORTHWESTERN
Jordan Mabin, Sr., CB *
Al Netter, Sr., OT *
Dan Persa, Sr., QB *

LEADERS DIVISION

ILLINOIS
Jeff Allen, Sr., OL *
AJ Jenkins, Sr., WR
Tavon Wilson, Sr., DB *

INDIANA
Damarlo Belcher, Sr., WR *
Max Dedmond, Sr., TE
Jeff Thomas, Sr., LB

OHIO STATE
Mike Brewster, Sr., C *
Orhian Johnson, Jr., DB
Andrew Sweat, Sr., LB

PENN STATE
Michael Mauti, Jr., LB
Derek Moye, Sr., WR *
Joe Suhey, Sr., RB

PURDUE
Albert Evans, Sr., S
Joe Holland, Sr., LB
Carson Wiggs, Sr., K/P *

WISCONSIN
Patrick Butrym, Sr., DT
Aaron Henry, Sr., FS *
Nick Toon, Sr., WR *

* - indicates previous All-Big Ten or All-Big 12 selection

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