Tuesday, May 10, 2011

GRANBURY, Texas--Football fans eager to follow the fortunes of the Drake University Bulldogs and the CONADEIP All-Stars can stay in touch with every minute of their activities at the Global Kilimanjaro Bowl through social media.

Whether the players who will take part in the historic first-ever game of college American football to be played on African soil are in action on the gridiron, serving on a community project, coaching youngsters in Tanzania, or preparing to climb the imposing Mount Kilimanjaro - the experience will be captured on Twitter, facebook and YouTube.

The popular social media platforms will feature every aspect of the once in a lifetime experience as Drake University prepares to take on the CONADEIP All-Stars at the 20,000-capacity Sheik Amri Abeid Memorial Stadium in Arusha at 1pm local time (US ET +7 hours) on Saturday, May 21.

"Social media allows us to share this wonderful experience with people everywhere, while we are on the other side of the world with relative ease," said Global Football President Patrick Steenberge.  "We will face some logistical challenges with internet connections not being as readily available as we have become accustomed to, but we are committed to updating the various sites so that families and friends of the players and football fans everywhere can also enjoy our adventures in Africa."

Social media highlights of the Global Kilimanjaro Bowl:

Facebook:

Devotees of the social networking site can find daily updates, photos and links to videos through the event's official pages at  www.Facebook.com/globalkilibowl.  On Saturday, May 21, all the key plays, scores and highlights will be posted following the historic game.

Twitter

Follow Global Football President Patrick Steenberge @GlobalSportsGuy as he arrives in Tanzania and prepares to welcome the participants and then as the representatives of Drake University and CONADEIP enjoy the African experience.

YouTube

The official Global Football YouTube channel - www.YouTube.com/GlobalSportsGroup - will feature daily Flip Camera updates from all aspects of the event from the teams arriving in Tanzania to hitting the practice field, coaching local youngsters and giving back to the community.

Official website

Visit www.KiliBowl.com for all the latest news from the Global Kilimanjaro Bowl, and revisit some of the earlier visits to Tanzania by Global Football and Drake University during the planning stages of the event.

TAHA, the Tanzania Horticulture Association, which promotes and oversees the expansive flower and fruit production and export in Tanzania, is providing fruit for both teams during their stay in the country, as well as decorating the Arusha Stadium with flowers and providing flower necklaces for the arrival reception when players and coaches land at JRO Airport.

The Arusha Hotel will serve as host for the Drake Bulldogs, media and game officials, while the Kibo Palace Hotel is hosting the CONADEIP Mexico official party.  Kilele Savane, Ltd of Arusha is handling all local transport; safari coordination and the Kili climb operations.

Younger Optics will supply polarized Rx sunwear, equipped with Drivewear lenses that will be part of the players, coaches and staff's essential defense against blinding glare and harmful UV rays. For more information about Younger Optics and their other products, visit the company's website at www.youngeroptics.com, or call (800) 877-5367.

To receive information via email contact Patrick@GlobalFootball.com or call Patrick Steenberge on 817-219-7274. Full tour packages and other event information is available on the www.globalfootball.com website.

Handling travel details for the teams and official parties is Anthony Travel: (866) 913-7169 or AnitaFreeman@AnthonyTravel.com or visit www.anthonytravel.com/globalfootball/kilibowl for details.

About Global Football: Headed by President Patrick Steenberge, a former Notre Dame quarterback and high school All-American at Erie Cathedral Prep.  During the past 14 years, Global Football has produced football games in 18 nations in North and Central American, Europe, Asia and Oceania.  Working partners include NFL, Super Bowl Host Committees, American Football Coaches Association (AFCA), Notre Dame, Penn State, Pop Warner, USA Football, and numerous Division III colleges as well as National Football Federations worldwide.  www.globalfootball.com.

About Drake University: Drake's mission is to provide an exceptional learning environment that prepares students for meaningful personal lives, professional accomplishments, and responsible global citizenship. The Drake experience is distinguished by collaborative learning among students, faculty, and staff and by the integration of the liberal arts and sciences with professional preparation.

About the CONADEIP All-Stars: The team that will travel to Tanzania from Mexico will be an all-star roster of players selected from educational institutions within the CONADEIP Conference.  The conference kicks off its inaugural football season in the fall of 2010, having restructured to provide a highly competitive schedule for the long-dominant private universities in Mexico.  The eight schools within CONADEIP are Tecnológico de Monterrey Campus in Puebla, Santa Fe, Toluca, Monterrey, Estado de México and Ciudad de México and also Universidad de las Américas Puebla and Universidad Regiomontana.

For more information, please contact Global Football, Inc. of Granbury, Texas, President Patrick Steenberge:  patrick@globalfootball.com.    Tel: 817-219-7274

Global Football Media Contacts:

Michael Preston      MP@MPrestonSports.com     Tel: 781-363-0305

Lauren Hickey:     Lauren@MPrestonSports.com     Tel: 781-929-7300

Drake University Media Contacts:

Lisa Lacher:       Lisa.Lacher@Drake.edu     Tel: 515-271-3119

Paul Kirk:          Paul.Kirk@Drake.edu         Tel: 515-271-3014