Media Advisory/Photo Opportunity: Colorado State University Offers Football 101 to International Students Sept. 24 and 25

What/when:

Colorado State University will once again offer “Football 101” for international students interested in learning about an American tradition.

On Friday, Sept. 24, Gary Ozzello, senior associate athletic director, will host a football clinic for international students from 4:30-6 p.m. at the International House, 1400 W. Elizabeth St. Students will learn the rules of the game and get the opportunity to try on football uniforms and pads. They’ll also learn the CSU Fight Song and receive CSU T-shirts for the game.

On Saturday, Sept. 25, CSU alumni will host a tailgate pizza party for international students in Ram Town, on the south side of Hughes Stadium, from noon to 1:30 p.m. Alumni will sit with current students in the stands during the CSU vs. Idaho game on Ag Day. Kickoff is at 2 p.m.

Details:

Football 101 is co-sponsored by the Council of International Student Affairs, the CSU Alumni Association, Athletics, the Office of International Programs and Associated Students of Colorado State University. More than 150 students are expected to attend this year’s event. The 2009 event, which drew more than 100 students, was organized at the suggestion of two alumni, Darshan Shah and Kaizer Cooper.

“Our alumni felt that this was such an important CSU tradition, but it could be a little out of reach for many international students because they haven’t grown up with the game of American football,” said Mark Hallett, director of International Student and Scholar Services. “Games can be incomprehensible if you don’t know the rules. We wanted to make it comfortable and enjoyable for international students to participate and feel part of campus culture along with their American peers.

“This is one of the goals of the international education exchange – create awareness by bringing people together.”

Colorado State University currently hosts more than 1,500 international students and scholars from 91 countries.
 

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