A 60-something year-old University President from Iowa heading to Tanzania to attempt to climb 19,340 feet to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro?

That's me. David Maxwell, president of Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa.

I will be accompanying members of the Drake University Football Team to Tanzania as part of the Global Kilimanjaro Bowl — the first collegiate game of American football to be played on the African continent.

As part of this experience we will engage in service projects — including building a wing on an orphanage for children of AIDS victims, building housing for teachers at a school outside of Moshi, clearing land for school playgrounds, and working with a local organization that serves orphaned street children.

We will cap the trip with a trip to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro with our partners (and competitors) the CONADEIP All-Stars from Mexico.

Thursday, May 19, 2011

Arrival and Clinics

The Drake contingent arrived safely in Arusha, Tanzania, along with the CONADEIP All-Stars from Mexico and representatives from Global Football. The teams settled in quickly and are already engaged in clinics, teaching the basics of American-style football to local children.

Pictures below are a small sample of those already posted to the Kili Bowl facebook page.

Drake Head Football Coach Chris Creighton and Athletic Director Sandy Hatfield Clubb
upon arrival in Tanzania.

Drake players (from Left) defensive back Matt Buckley, defensive back Nick Chenier, linebacker Jim Nelson with Masa'i warriors.

ITV (game broadcaster) interviews Drake defensive end Padraic O'Connell.

Action from the football clinic.


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