[Vision2020] [Vandal] Iraq Trip Humbling Experience for UI's Coach Akey

[Tom Hansen]

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College Football Coaches Support Troops Overseas
Area Support Group Qatar Public Affairs Office
Story by Lakia Clarke-Brown

CAMP AS SAYLIYAH, Qatar – Five National Collegiate Athletic Association
coaches met hundreds of U.S. service members in Qatar, July 5. The NCAA
coaches were touring various military installations in the Middle East to
visit deployed troops. This is a first-of-its-kind event for Koeberle &
Associates providing athletes and celebrities to military personnel
overseas.

The assembly of coaches included: Robb Akey, University of Idaho; Chris
Smeland, West Point, The U.S. Military Academy; Bobby Hauck, University of
Montana; Mickey Matthews, James Madison University and David Bailiff, Rice
University.

"Other than relatives, I've never met anyone with the same last name,"
said U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Crystal Hauck, from Fresno, Calif.,
after meeting Bobby Hauck, University of Montana head coach. "I had to
meet him today – we may be distant cousins."

The hometown heroes greeted several war fighters participating in the U.S.
Central Command rest and recuperation pass program at Camp As Sayliyah.
Executed by Third Army/U.S. Army Central Area Support Group Qatar, the
venue offers service members a respite from contingency commitments
throughout Southwest Asia. Over 185,000 war fighters have participated in
the program, since its inception in 2004.

"I'm a big college football fan," said U.S. Army Sgt. Nathanael Buschmann,
from Oregon, Wis., while shaking hands with Robb Akey, University of Idaho
head coach. "During the season, I try to watch every game – even the ones
that come on at 2 a.m."

"This is an honor," said Bailiff, Rice University head coach. "We're here
to show our gratitude and support for the troops, for all they do every
day."

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Additional photos -

U.S. Col. David G. Cotter, Third Army/Area Support Group Qatar commander,
discusses military activities with five National Collegiate Athletic
association head football coaches at Camp As Sayliyah, Qatar, July 5. The
assembly of coaches included: Robb Akey, University of Idaho; Chris
Smeland, West Point, The U.S. Military Academy; Bobby Hauck, University of
Montana; Mickey Matthews, James Madison University and David Bailiff, Rice
University. The coaches were beginning a support tour of military
installations in the Middle East.

http://dvidshub.net/img_show.php?id=185200

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U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Crystal Hauck, from Fresno, Calif., meets
Bobby Hauck, University of Montana head coach at Camp As Sayliyah, Qatar,
July 5. "Other than relatives, I've never met anyone with the same last
name," said Hauck. "I had to meet him today – we may be distant cousins."
Hauck traveled overseas to show support for military installations in the
Middle East with four other National Collegiate Athletic Association head
football coaches: Robb Akey, University of Idaho; Chris Smeland, West
Point, The U.S. Military Academy; Mickey Matthews, James Madison
University and David Bailiff, Rice University.


http://dvidshub.net/img_show.php?id=185202

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David Bailiff, Rice University head coach, greets U.S. Army Sgt. Nathanael
Buschmann, from Oregon, Wis., at Camp As Sayliyah, Qatar, July 5. "I'm a
big fan of college football," said Buschmann. "During the season, I try to
watch every game – even the ones that come on at 2 a.m." Bailiff traveled
overseas to show support for military installations in the Middle East
with four other National Collegiate Athletic Association head football
coaches: Robb Akey, University of Idaho; Bobby Hauck, University of
Montana; Chris Smeland, West Point, The U.S. Military Academy and Mickey
Matthews, James Madison University.

http://dvidshub.net/img_show.php?id=185203

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Five National Collegiate Athletic association head football coaches pose
for a photograph after completing a meet and greet session for service
members at Camp As Sayliyah, Qatar, July 5. From left to right: Robb Akey,
University of Idaho; Chris Smeland, West Point, The U.S. Military Academy;
U.S. Col. David G. Cotter, Third Army/Area Support Group Qatar commander;
Command Sgt. Maj. Michael D. Howard, ASG-QA; Bobby Hauck, University of
Montana; Mickey Matthews, James Madison University and David Bailiff, Rice
University. The coaches were beginning a support tour of military
installations in the Middle East.

http://dvidshub.net/img_show.php?id=185204

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Take care, Vandals.

Tom Hansen
UI '96

"The Pessimist complains about the wind, the Optimist expects it to change
and the Realist adjusts his sails."

- Unknown