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NCAA coaches tour kicks off at McConnell

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Abigail Klein
  • 22nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. --  McConnell bared their school pride May 22 during the 3rd Annual NCAA Coaches Tour Kickoff when football coaches from the University of Oregon and Harvard University toured McConnell to thank Airmen for their service.

The event was the first stop in the 2010 tour and gave coaches Chip Kelly; Oregon, and Tim Murphy; Harvard, a chance to interact with fans and learn a about McConnell's mission.

Airmen lined the Krueger Recreation Area to speak with the coaches and have their football memorabilia signed. The coaches ensured that every fan in the line was greeted with the same appreciation that the coaches tour aims to express to servicemembers worldwide.

"The main goal of this tour is to say 'thank you' for everything that the troops do for the [United States] because sometimes people really do forget," said Mr. Kelly.

The opportunity to speak with both coaches was a once in a lifetime opportunity for Tech. Sgt. Carl Swartz, 22nd Air Refueling Wing Protocol NCOIC, who discussed the success of the Oregon State softball team with Mr. Kelly.

"You could tell they were enthusiastic to be here," Sergeant Swartz said. "[McConnell] was one stop of their tour, but it definitely meant a lot and raised the morale of the Airmen present, which is what this tour is all about."

In addition to interacting with the coaches, the event also included a 5K run, a 40-yard dash competition and a flag football game in which the base flag football team was divided between two teams consisting of the 22nd Air Refueling Wing commanders and the 22nd ARW chiefs and first sergeants. The commanders' team triumphed with a score of 14-7.

Following the kick off, the coaches, were joined by Rich Ellerson, Army Black Knights coach, Ron Zook, University of Illinois coach, and Tommy Tuberville, Texas Tech coach, to continue the eight-day tour to Southwest Asia and Europe on a 22nd ARW KC-135 Stratotanker.

Mr. Kelly commented on the impact of taking the time to acknowledge servicemembers stateside and worldwide.

"It's important because there are so many troops doing such a great job and I think people have forgotten what the troops do for us," he said. "People were reminded during 9/11, however, they have fallen into forgetting why [Americans] are allowed to live."

The United Services Organization, in collaboration with Morale Entertainment, has utilized the coaches tour to boost the morale of servicemembers worldwide.