THE PENN FOOTBALL TEAM EXPECTS TO SEE THE GREAT WALL WHEN THEY GO TO CHINA IN MARCH

Last spring, several members of the Temple University football team took a trip to Japan. Next spring, another Philadelphia-area college football team will take a trip to the Far East.

Penn will hold a week of their 2019 spring practices in China from March 2-9 during the University’s spring break, culminating in the 2019 Penn-China Global Ambassadors Bowl in Shanghai on March 8 against the American Football League of China (AFLC) All-Stars.

“We are excited to partner with Global Football, the Shanghai Rugby Football Association, Anthony Travel, Preston Consulting, Penn in China and Penn Athletics to offer this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to our student-athletes,” said head coach Ray Priore. “Our program is the most historic in college football, with more games played than any other team, 18 Ivy League championships and seven national championships. This March, we’ll have the chance to add another first to the storied tradition of Penn Football. Our student-athletes and coaches relish the opportunity to share this bonding experience while simultaneously getting ourselves better as a football team and helping grow the sport we love on a global level.”

While football is the focus of the trip, much like the Temple trip, it is an extension of other work that the University does in China.

“Our strong engagement with China is at the core of the University’s global initiatives,” said Penn Provost Wendell Pritchett. “We are proud that our outstanding Penn athletes will be joining the many students, faculty, and staff members who take part in our rich variety of programs. In particular, our Penn Wharton China Center, in the heart of Beijing’s central business district, has become a vibrant home for research, learning, and on-the-ground support for all members of the Penn community in China.”

While in China, the Quakers will hold multiple spring practices, hold clinics for youths and young adults, and sightsee before the Penn-China Global Ambassadors Bowl.

They expect to visit The Great Wall, Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City, Old Beijing, 2008 Olympic venues, the Shanghai World Financial Center and the Jade Buddha Temple.

“This trip is a perfect example of how Penn Athletics is aiming big by providing an unrivaled experience for our student-athletes,” Dr. M. Grace Calhoun, Director of Athletics and Recreation, said. “Enhancing our brand through international partnerships is part of Penn Athletics’ strategic plan and doing so in China, where the University has a strong relationship dating back to the early 19th century, is one way that we can support Penn’s global objectives. The student-athlete experience is at the core of our strategic priorities, and we are confident that this visit to China will broaden the cultural awareness of our students and create impactful, life-long memories. We look forward to spending Spring Break in Beijing and Shanghai.”

Penn’s visit to China is being organized by Global Football, whose president Patrick Steenberge, a former Notre Dame quarterback, has produced games, events and tours in 28 countries on 6 continents. Since 1996, Global Football has provided 15,000 amateur football players, coaches, families and fans from more than 350 schools the opportunity to travel internationally and interact with similar people of differing cultures.

“The Penn-China Global tour and game is another proud landmark for Global Football and for me personally, as after 23 years of working with visionary coaches, athletic directors and student-athletes to produce similar events, this is our initial Ivy League football team,” said Steenberge, “This will be the third consecutive year of taking NCAA football teams to China, as the clinics and game will further aid the development of the sport there. More importantly, this unique experience will enhance the global knowledge of the curious student-athletes from Penn, providing them a first-hand understanding of Chinese history, culture and people. Congratulations to the Penn administrators and coaches for taking on this valuable challenge.”