Photo By Dustin Senger | Tommy Tuberville, Auburn University head coach, talks with U.S. Air Force Col. Edward...... read more read more
By DUSTIN SENGER
Area Support Group-Qatar public affairs
CAMP AS SAYLIYAH, Qatar – Five National Collegiate Athletic Association football head coaches met hundreds of U.S. troops in Qatar, May 22. The NCAA coaches were traveling to various military installations in the Middle East to visit deployed service members. This is a first-of-its-kind event for Armed Forces Entertainment, the U.S. Department of Defense agency providing entertainment to military personnel overseas.
The assembly of coaches included: Mark Richt, University of Georgia; Randy Shannon, University of Miami; Jack Siedlecki, Yale University; Tommy Tuberville, Auburn University; and Charlie Weis, University of Notre Dame. Morale Entertainment organized the tour in association with Armed Forces Entertainment. A possible television broadcast is being developed by Morale Entertainment and Big Dog Productions during the coaches' Middle East expedition.
"College football is an all-American sport – it truly showcases the drive, determination and teamwork that is similar to the U.S. Armed Forces," said U.S. Air Force Col. Edward Shock, chief of Armed Forces Entertainment, in an official press release announcing the visit on March 22. "We 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."
In Qatar, the hometown heroes greeted numerous war fighters participating in the U.S. Central Command rest and recuperation pass program at Camp As Sayliyah. Executed by U.S. Army Central Area Support Group Qatar, the venue offers troops a nearby respite from contingency areas throughout Southwest Asia. Over 160,000 service members have participated in the program since its inception in 2004.
"It's pretty cool to come here for a break and see people who take you away from everything going on in Iraq," said U.S. Marine Lance Cpl. Casey Stellmach, from Virginia, Minn., while enjoying his break from military operations.
"I am a big college football fan," said U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Joe Turk, from Wichita Falls, Texas, after meeting the coaches. "I think it's the purest form of football. After 21 years in the Air Force, I have pretty much lived everywhere these guys have coached. I really appreciate them coming out here." Turk was enjoying a brief break from operations in Iraq.
"I have been a Georgia fan for years!" said U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Emily Dye, from Jackson, Miss. "This is my fourth tour to Iraq but I still follow the games every year – even though I have to watch them in the middle of the night from over here! This shows some returned support for their fans serving overseas."
"I never thought I would be deployed and meet all these coaches – I normally root for either Penn State or Notre Dame," said U.S. Army Pvt. Donald Taylor, from Elmira, N.Y. He was enjoying a rest from duties in Afghanistan. "It is spring season for college football and we have the head coach from Notre Dame here, signing t-shirts!"
"We love the Soldiers and their willingness to sacrifice for our country," said Mark Richt, University of Georgia head coach. "We want to support them not only in prayer but also in person."
| Date Taken: | 05.22.2008 |
| Date Posted: | 05.22.2008 12:29 |
| Story ID: | 19697 |
| Location: | CAMP AS SALIYAH, QA |
| Web Views: | 350 |
| Downloads: | 308 |
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