Former St. Lawrence University First Team All-America Gerard Bryant '10 has been selected to the United States' football team for the fourth Eight-Nation World Championship in Austria this July 8-16.

Bryant, a defensive lineman who is slated to wear No. 51, is among 39 former college football standouts that will be competing in the eight-nation tournament, which has been held every four years since 1999. 

Games will be played in Graz, Innsbruck and Vienna. Team USA defeated Japan, 23-20, in double overtime in Tokyo, Japan, to win the 2007 tournament, the first that included the United States. Prior to America's participation, Japan earned gold medals at the first two IFAF Senior World Championships played in Palermo, Italy (1999), and Frankfurt, Germany (2003).

"This is a tremendous honor for Gerard to be selected to represent the United States in this event," said Margie Strait, Director of Athletics at St. Lawrence.  "He is one of the most talented athletes to play at St. Lawrence, and we're proud of his continued success."

Bryant, a native of White Plains, NY, led St. Lawrence's defense with 91 total tackles at the defensive tackle position in his senior season. His 23.0 tackles for a loss led the conference and finished in the top-5 in the nation. He also logged three forced fumbles, 10.5 sacks and his first career interception in 2009.  Bryant was a two-time All-America selection and was the league's Defensive Player of the Year in his final campaign as well.

The United States is part of Group A along with Australia, Germany and Mexico. Group B includes Austria, Canada, France and Japan. A round robin schedule in group play determines who will compete for gold and bronze medals.

USA Football is the sport's national governing body in the United States. National team participation does not affect NCAA eligibility.

Team USA is coached by former Northwest Missouri State University head coach and three-time NCAA Division II national champion, Mel Tjeerdsma.  Tjeerdsma led Northwest Missouri State to a 183-43 (.810) record in 17 seasons there. He was among the first three coaches inducted into the NCAA Division II College Football Hall of Fame before retiring in 2010.

"Our roster holds tremendously skilled players who recognize that success in football is rooted in playing as a team - and playing for America galvanizes us even more," Tjeerdsma said. "We'll be ready to face excellent competition in Austria and celebrate the world's greatest game on an international stage."

Other institutions represented on the U.S. Men's National Football Team include Boise State, Kansas State, West Virginia, Northwestern, Colorado, Iowa, Mount Union and Virginia Tech.

Team USA will open the tournament against Australia at 9: