PLEASANTVILLE, N.Y -- Pace University football alum Jacky Chen (Port Jefferson, N.Y./Port Jefferson) will play in the annual East-West Shrine Bowl on Thursday night. Chen is the first Pace player under head coach Andy Rondeau to compete in the one-in-a-lifetime event. The game will air on the National Football League (NFL) Network at 8:30 p.m. ET. 

Since 1925, the East-West Shrine Bowl has benefited Shriners Children's and its mission while showcasing the next generation of NFL legends. The bowl is an opportunity for the best senior collegiate football all-stars in the country to showcase their talents in front of top representatives of NFL teams. A strong performance in the game greatly impacts a player's chances of a career in the NFL. Many of professional football's most recognized and decorated players, including Tom Brady, Walter Payton, Lawrence Taylor, John Elway, Gale Sayers and Jimmy Garoppolo, played in the East-West Shrine Bowl.

This year's Bowl is the 98th annual and will be played at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Bowl week of events included daily practice and media interviews/press conferences. On Wednesday, the Shrine bowl participants had a special media day with Shriner Children's charity. 

Chen, from Port Jefferson, N.Y., earned honorable mention as part of the Don Hansen Football Gazette Division II All-America announcement on Jan. 11. Chen, who anchored the offensive line for the Setters, also earned All-NE10 First Team honors at the end of the 2022 season. Chen helped Pace to the third most rushing yards in the conference last season (1,690) and allowed just 16 sacks all season.