The rosters for the Don Raabe Big 30 Charities Classic are
quickly filling up.

With this week’s six additions, there are 60 players — 30 per
team — who have accepted invitations to play in the 37th annual
game.

Named to the Pennsylvania roster were Kyle Gerber of Elk County
Catholic, Mike Rulander of Eisenhower and Mike Gibson of
Youngsville.

Gerber, 5-11, 200 pounds, was a fullback/linebacker for the
Crusaders.

He plans to attend college and work toward a physical therapy
degree.

Gerber’s honors include being a three-time football letterman,
winner of the Bill Gapinski Award, an AML All-Star and an Academic
All-Star.

“It’s another chance to play the game of football and to raise
money for charity,” Gerber said as to why he wants to play in the
Classic.

His biggest thrills were winning the school’s first playoff game
in 15 years and playing with his brother and friends.

Rulander, 6-2, 175 pounds, was a running back/wide
receiver/linebacker for the Knights.

He plans on furthering his education and playing college
football.

Rulander’s honors include being a District 10 Region II
All-Star, a first-team all-purpose back and strong safety, a
second-team tight end and all-state all-purpose back. 

“I think that it will be an extraordinary experience, and I
would love to be part of the charity in order to help raise money
for other charities,” he said of playing in the Raabe Classic.

Gibson, 5-11, 180 pounds, was a tailback/linebacker for the
Eagles.

He plans on joining the United States Marine Corps. 

In Gibson’s senior year, he made the Region 2 All-Star team
along with being a four-year varsity letterman. 

“I love to play football,” Gibson noted.

When not playing football, Gibson enjoys hunting, fishing and
lifting. His favorite team is the Pittsburgh Steeler, and his
favorite player is Hines Ward.

Added to the New York roster were Casey Caya of Portville, Tyler
Mendell of Randolph and Matt Brown of Wellsville.

Caya, 6-0, 175 pounds, was a tight end/running back/outside
linebacker for Portville.

He plans on attending college to study journalism and
communications.

Caya’s honors include being a 2008 Big 30 All-Star, a Divisional
All-Star in 2008 and 2009 and an Iron Man record-holder.

“It’s an exciting game, and I want to represent the fellows I
played with in high school,” Caya said of the Raabe Classic.

His biggest thrill while playing was catching a touchdown pass
from his brother, Aaron, his senior year.

Mendell, 5-10, 200 pounds, was a tight end/linebacker for
Randolph.

He plans on attending Alfred University where he will play
football and study criminal justice or biology.

Mendell’s honors include being the Defensive MVP (Class D) and
the Defensive MVP in the state playoffs (Class D). 

“I would like to play in the Big 30 game because it is not
something that everyone gets to play in, and you have to work for
the opportunity,” Mendell commented.

His biggest thrill was playing in the Carrier Dome in Syracuse,
N.Y., and helping his team win a state title.

Brown, 5-11, 190 pounds, was a tight end and linebacker for
Wellsville.

He plans on becoming an engineer by going to either the
University of Rochester or RPI.

Brown’s honors in athletics include being selected a Big 30
All-Star, a Livingston County All-Star, All-State team defensive
player of the year for Section V Class C and Defensive MVP for
Wellsville High School. 

His academic honors include earning a Rensselaer Medal and
winning the NYS Department of Education award for academic
excellence.

Brown’s biggest thrill is the thunderous sound that occurs
during a big hit.

This year’s game will be played at 7 p.m. Aug. 7 at Bradford
High’s Parkway Field.

The first 36 games produced over $1,350,000 donated to numerous
charities and personal causes throughout the Twin Tiers.

Teams consist of graduated seniors from 29 high schools in New
York and Pennsylvania that make up the Big 30 area.  

The New York team is comprised of players from
Allegany-Limestone, Bolivar-Richburg, Cattaraugus-Little Valley,
Cuba-Rushford, Ellicottville, Franklinville, Gowanda, Olean,
Pioneer, Portville, Randolph, Salamanca, Wellsville and West
Valley.

The Pennsylvania team is comprised of players from Bradford,
Cameron County, Coudersport, Eisenhower, Elk County Catholic, Kane,
Johnsonburg, Otto-Eldred, Port Allegany, Ridgway, Sheffield,
Smethport, St. Marys, Warren and Youngsville.