April 30, 2008

NORMAL, Ill. - Illinois State center Jonathan St-Pierre, a native of Longueuil, Quebec, Canada, became the first Redbird to ever be selected in the Canadian Football League Draft when he was drafted in the second round Wednesday by the Saskatchewan Roughriders with the 10th pick overall.

St-Pierre, who is entering his senior season with the Redbirds, will remain on campus before joining Saskatchewan for the 2009 season.

"It really hasn't sunk in yet, because (playing for Saskatchewan) is way down the road for me," said St-Pierre. "I'm really flattered to be selected, and it is a childhood dream to play in the CFL, but there is so much that is going to happen to me between now and then. I'm working to finish a degree from Miami (Fla.) in a couple of weeks, and then I'm working on my master's degree (at Illinois State) and preparing for my senior season. (The CFL) isn't even on my mind right now; but again, it is flattering to be picked."

St-Pierre has started 20-straight games for the Redbirds. He played in 788 snaps during the 2007 season and posted 37 knockdowns. The Redbird center has never been to Regina, Saskatchewan, the hometown of the 2007 Grey Cup Champions, but is fully aware of its fan support.

"Everyone I've talked to has told me what a great football town Regina is," said St-Pierre. "I'm a city boy, so it will be a little bit of an adjustment, but I look forward to playing up there when the time comes."

Currently, Illinois State has three former players on CFL rosters with Kevin Glenn and Sam Young at Winnipeg and Cameron Siskowic in Hamilton.