Football Coaches To Tour Middle East Military Bases

April 17, 2008 6:39 a.m. EST

Arlington, VA (AHN) -- Five college football coaches, including Georgia's Mark Richt and Auburn's Tommy Tuberville from the Southeastern Conference, will participate in a first of its kind tour of military bases throughout the Middle East on May 20-26.

Also making the trip will be Notre Dame's Charlie Weis, Miami's Randy Shannon and Yale's Jack Siedlecki.

The college coaches will participate in a meet and greet at various bases and also coach flag football teams made up servicemen and women. They also will host a symposium with question and answer sessions.

Tuberville said on the Auburn University Web site, "I'm looking forward to the opportunity to spend time with the troops in the Middle East. The have made so many sacrifices to help protect our country and this is a small way that I, along with 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."

Richt, who has family ties to the U.S. Air Force, Army and Marine Corps, said on the Armed Forces Entertainment Web site, "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 our visit." Armed Forces Entertainment is helping organize the tour.