April 24, 2008

ADRIAN, Mich. - Arrivederci L'America, Ciao L'Italia (Goodbye America, Hello Italy) is on the minds of 65 players and the coaching staff of Adrian College as they depart for nine days in Italy. The trip will be part of their spring practice time and encompass May 5-13 in the Italian cities of Venice, Florence and the capital city of Rome.

"This will be our third trip to Europe as a team having gone every three years," said head coach Jim Lyall. "This is such a great experience for these young men as they get to live another culture. College students need something like this during their four years and the bonus is we have the chance to play a game we love while seeing the world."

The team will depart on May 5 from Detroit and arrive in Milan on May 6. The student-athletes will experience a six-hour time difference once they touch down in Italy (If it is 4:00 p.m. in Michigan it would be 10:00 p.m. in Italy).

The team will be transferred to Venice from Milan and enjoy a practice on day three of the trip. The next three days will be spent sightseeing in Florence and Rome before the team plays a game against S.S. Lazio Marines. The Marines are members of the National Football League Italy (NFLI) and play in Series "A" which is in the top division of the NFLI. The hosts will then invite the team to a dinner and reception following the game.

The ninth day will be the long trip back to the United States with plenty of great memories that will last a lifetime.

"Our administration has enthusiastically supported this adventure and what a privilege it is to work at Adrian College," said Lyall. "Our guys will be building team chemistry and getting to know each other which always builds better men and a better team."

You need to look no further about how this has benefitted the program as they have a 43-20 record since these trips began.

Official S.S. Lazio Marines Website