Erini Sotirhos
Armed Forces Entertainment
210.829.1953
March 26, 2008
NCAA football coaches to boost troop morale downrange
Five college head coaches tour with Armed Forces Entertainment for
first time
National
Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) football head coaches, Mark Richt,
University of Georgia; Randy Shannon, University of Miami; Jack Siedlecki, Yale
University; Tommy Tuberville, Auburn University; and Charlie Weis from the
University of Notre Dame will visit military bases throughout the Middle East
May 20-26.
ÒCollege
football is an All-American sport—it truly showcases the drive,
determination and teamwork that is similar to the U.S. Armed Forces,Ó said Air
Force Colonel Edward Shock, Chief of Armed Forces Entertainment. ÒWe are proud
to bring this tour to our military men and women, and my hat goes off to these
coaches for spending their downtime with our troops.Ó
The tour is a first-of-its-kind for Armed Forces Entertainment. The NCAA coaches will participate
in meet and greets at various bases, as well as coach flag football teams made
up of servicemen and women. Additionally, the head coaches will host a
symposium, allowing audience members to ask questions.
"We
love the Soldiers and their willingness to sacrifice for our country. We want
to support them not only in prayer but also in person. I look forward to meeting as many of
our men and women in the armed forces, as possible during the visit," said
University of Georgia Head Coach Mark Richt.
Richt, who has family ties to the U.S. Air Force,
Army and Marine Corps, is one of only six coaches in history to win two Southeastern
Conference (SEC) championships in his first five years and one of only five
head coaches in SEC history to record four straight 10-win seasons.
In 2007, under Head Coach Jack Siedlecki, the Yale Bulldogs came within
a game of their first perfect season since 1960. ÒI expect
that this will be a once in a lifetime experience. I am really looking forward
to meeting the men and women of our armed forces and am truly thrilled to have
this opportunity,Ó said Siedlecki.
ÒI am excited about joining my colleagues on
the trip to the Persian Gulf. This is an exceptional opportunity for me
to interact with our military personnel overseas as well as a chance to
experience the cultures of the host countries,Ó said University of Miami Head Coach Randy Shannon. Shannon is known for producing defenses
ranking among the best in college football history. He led the Miami Hurricanes as defensive coordinator for six seasons, coaching top
10 defenses in five of those six seasons. He was named MiamiÕs head coach in
2006. During his career, he has coached in eleven bowl games and under his
guidance he continues to produce players that go on to star in the NFL.
Head
Coach Tommy Tuberville has led Auburn to be one of the most successful programs
in the SEC, directing his team to seven consecutive bowl appearances within his
nine-year tenure. "I'm
looking forward to the opportunity to spend time with the troops in the Middle
East. They have made so many
sacrifices to help protect our country and this is a small way that I, along
with the other coaches on the tour, can say 'thank you.' I know we'll get to visit with a lot of
college football fans and hope to see several Auburn Tigers along the
way," said Tuberville.
Notre
Dame Head Coach Charlie Weis is in his third year with the ÒFighting Irish.Ó
During a
15-year National Football League (NFL) career as an assistant
coach, Weis earned four Super Bowl championship rings. Since returning to his
alma mater as head coach of the football program, he led the team to 19 wins
between the seasons, qualifying as the most wins for Notre Dame in a two-year
period since the 1992-93. ÒI am
honored to be selected to a group of collegiate football coaches to visit our
troops in the Middle East the week leading up to Memorial Day,Ó said Weis.
ÒMy family and I believe this to be a small way to thank and support our
troops for defending our country. As a proud Notre Dame alumnus, I
consider this trip to be a privilege and IÕm looking forward to this with great
anticipation.Ó
Morale
Entertainment is organizing the tour in association with Armed Forces
Entertainment.
A television concept for the tour is being
developed by Morale Entertainment in conjunction with Big Dog Productions.
Broadcast details will be released at a later time.
Armed
Forces Entertainment is the lead Department of Defense agency for providing
entertainment to U.S. military personnel serving overseas, with priority given
to those in contingency operations and at remote and isolated locations. The
Department of the Air Force is the executive agent of Armed Forces
Entertainment. Founded in 1951, Armed Forces Entertainment brings a touch of
home to more than 500,000 troops annually, embracing the best of Americana that
stretches across all genres of entertainment. Visit www.armedforcesentertainment.com for more information.
To learn more about NCAA head coaches
participating in this tour, please visit www.coachestour2008.com
or contact:
|
Claude Felton University
of Georgia 706
542 1621 |
Mark Pray University
of Miami 305
284 3231 |
|
Steven Conn Yale
University 203
432 1455 |
Kirk Sampson Auburn
University 334
844 9800 |
|
Brian Hardin Notre
Dame University 574
631 9471 |
Mike Whalen Morale
Entertainment 770
973 9023 |
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