College coaches visit Joint Base Balad

Photo By Staff Sgt. Tiffany Trojca | College footbal coaches Troy Calhoun, U.S. Air Force Academy, Jim Tressel, Ohio State University and Jim Grobe, Wake Forest University, "coach" a flag football game between Airmen and Soldiers deployed, May 31. The coaches were here as part of the 2009 College Coaches Tour, sponsored by Armed Forces Entertainment, to enhance troop morale.  

BALAD, IRAQ

06.04.2009

Story by Staff Sgt. John Gordinier 

332d Air Expeditionary Wing

JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq — Several college football coaches visited, May 31, as part of the 2009 College Coaches Tour sponsored by Armed Forces Entertainment.

Coaches Mack Brown from the University of Texas; Troy Calhoun from the U.S. Air Force Academy; Jim Grobe from Wake Forest University; Rick Neuheisel from the University of California Los Angeles; Houston Nutt from the University of Mississippi; Jim Tressel from Ohio State University; and Coach Emeritus Tommy Tuberville all met with servicemembers to show their military support.

"I have absolutely enjoyed meeting the men and women serving our country," said Coach Calhoun. "It is a real honor being a part of this [coaches tour]."

While here, the coaches toured the Air Force Theater Hospital and the 332nd Expeditionary Security Forces Group. In addition, they met with hundreds of servicemembers at the Red Tail Recreation Center to sign autographs, take photos and give away T-shirts.

Soon after, the coaches headed to Killeen Field here to watch an exhibition flag-football game between the Air Force and the Army.

"Today, we are going to have a little exhibition game against the Army, and it should be a lot of fun," said Master Sgt. Gary Austin, 332nd Expeditionary Communications Squadron and captain of the Air Force team. "Both sides have got some great players, and I think it will be a good game to show the coaches what we [service members] are made of."

"The coaches are here to give us a little advice and give us some motivation," added the native of Simms, Texas, deployed here from Ramstein Air Base, Germany. "I'm a big Mack Brown fan, but he is on the other side of the field today with the Army, so I'm going to have to get his autograph after the game."

Even though, three coaches motivated the Air Force team and three coaches motivated the Army team, Coach Calhoun said they weren't really rooting for either team, but just the military in general and their love for the game.

"We are here to get a chance to see real football and, looking at these field conditions [sand and dirt], I love it," Coach Calhoun said. "Being around the military, you can tell they've got a real passion for playing football."

After the coaches gave motivational speeches and many high-fives, the exhibition game ended with the Air Force team victorious: 21 — 0. However, all spirits were high, and the coaches noticed.

"It's the service members and their attitude and spirit that make JBB a great place," Coach Calhoun said. "I hope us being here has made it fun and a little enjoyable for them."

• Date Taken: 06.04.2009
• Date Posted: 06.04.2009 05:45
• Story ID: 34520
• Location: BALAD, IQ