AFL, US Army football tour offers high school students opportunity to get fit
Published on November 2, 2005 under Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I) News Release
FORT KNOX, Ky. (Nov. 2, 2005) - High School students across the country will receive the ultimate fitness test when a U.S. Army Drill Sergeant enters their gymnasiums.
The Arena Football League and U.S. Army's high school educational and fitness initiative, Football Tour, continues in 2005-2006 with more than 20 high school visits across the nation.
The AFL-U.S. Army Football Tour, focusing on developing teamwork, fitness and education, will be making stops at high schools in Atlanta; Dallas; Denver; Grand Rapids, Mich.; Los Angeles; Orlando; and Philadelphia among others.
Among the Drill Sergeants appearing at a school near you is ESPN's "Bound for Glory" Staff Sgt. James Alexander Self, a basic combat training Drill Sergeant. Staff Sgt. Self knows that to succeed in life, it takes hard work. Stationed at Fort Jackson, S.C., Staff Sgt. Self prepares recruits for the rigors of military life and will be responsible for demonstrating physical and mental conditioning to the student-athletes during the Football Tour program.
"Soldiers, like all strong community leaders, take pride in making a difference for themselves, their families and their nation," said Colonel Thomas Nickerson, Director of Strategic Outreach, U.S. Army Accessions Command. "The Football Tour program affords the Army the opportunity to come into schools and teach students not only the importance of fitness, but the qualities Soldiers like Staff Sgt. Self posses -- teamwork, discipline and leadership."
Students will test their skills as they participate in scrimmages and football tosses under the mentorship of AFL players as surrogate coaches. Autograph signings and raffles for AFL memorabilia are also part of the program.
"The U.S. Army Football Tour Program has offered the AFL a unique opportunity to showcase our sport, coaches and players at a grassroots level and how teamwork, discipline and leadership are essential character traits on and off the field," said Glenn Horine, President, AFL Properties.
About U.S. Army The U.S. Army Accessions Command, USAAC, headquartered at Fort Monroe, Va., is charged with overseeing recruiting and training of both enlisted soldiers and officers for the Army. USAAC is composed of the U.S. Army Recruiting Command at Fort Knox, Ky., the U.S. Army Cadet Command at Fort Monroe, Va. and the U.S. Army Training Center at Fort Jackson, S.C.
About Arena Football League On the strength of its Mission Statement and Fans' Bill of Rights, the Arena Football League is the second-longest running football league in U.S. history. It begins its 20th season in 2006 with new teams in Kansas City and Utah. Often recognized as one of the nation's most affordable and fan-friendly sports leagues, the Arena Football League is America's fastest-growing sport with a 41-percent attendance increase since 2001.
Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from November 2, 2005
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- AFL, US Army football tour offers high school students opportunity to get fit - AFL I
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- Rattlers ink Damien Groce to one year contract - Arizona Rattlers
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