Myrtle Beach, S.C. – South Carolina’s electric cooperatives have assumed primary sponsorship of the North-South All-Star Football game, played each December.  The announcement was made in Myrtle Beach, site of the 2013 All-Star game to be held on December 14 at Doug Shaw Memorial Stadium.

With support from organizers of the North-South game, the electric cooperatives also unveiled a new name and logo for contest.  The game will now be referred to as The Touchstone Energy Cooperatives Bowl–North vs. South.

“We’re proud the state’s electric cooperatives have an opportunity to be a part of this great event,” said Bob Paulling, CEO and president of Mid-Carolina Electric Cooperative in Lexington. “This is one of the premier dates in high school athletics each year and I know how much it means to be a part of the game,” said Paulling, who was a member of the South squad in the 1978 North-South All-Star game and later became the kicker for Clemson University’s 1981 national championship football team.

The North-South All-Star game began in 1947 to highlight the best high school football players in the state. Each October, a committee of high school coaches selects 88 seniors from all regions of the state to participate in the game

“Our organization is very pleased to form this partnership with the state’s electric cooperatives,” said Keith Richardson, co-game director of the North vs. South game and a former head football coach at Clinton High School. “So many players on our roster each year are from rural areas served by the co-ops.  By working with them, we think we can increase the notoriety of this exciting event and the young men who play in the game.”

Organizers of the new Touchstone Energy Cooperatives Bowl game are also custodians of South Carolina’s Mr. Football Award, a citation that recognizes the top senior player in the state. The 2013 award winner will be announced during halftime of this year’s b owl game.

“We know the announcement of the Mr. Football Award is one that’s highly anticipated–even by the casual sports fan,” said Paulling. “Bringing the five finalists to the Touchstone Energy Bowl to announce the winner will bring another level of excitement to the game itself.”