Penn will be taking its football tradition to China
The Quakers will hold part of spring practice in China and then play against an all-star team.
The University of Pennsylvania is already known as one of the finest colleges in the world, but now the school is taking its historic football program global.
Over 142 years of football, the Quakers have played games in 98 locations across the United States. On Tuesday, the university announced that, in March, Penn will hold a week of its 2019 spring practice in China during the school's spring break. On March 8, the Quakers will play against an all-star team of players from the American Football League of China in the Penn-China Global Ambassadors Bowl in Shanghai.
"Our program is the most historic in college football, with more games played than any other team, 18 Ivy League championships, and seven national championships," Penn coach Ray Priore said in a statement released by the university. "This March, we'll have the chance to add another first to the storied tradition of Penn football.
"Our student-athletes and coaches relish the opportunity to share this bonding experience while simultaneously getting ourselves better as a football team and helping grow the sport we love on a global level."
Penn athletic director M. Grace Calhoun said in the statement, "Enhancing our brand through international partnerships is part of Penn athletics' strategic plan, and doing so in China, where the university has a strong relationship dating back to the early 19th century, is one way that we can support Penn's global objectives.
"The student-athlete experience is at the core of our strategic priorities, and we are confident that this visit to China will broaden the cultural awareness of our students and create impactful, lifelong memories."
The Quakers will fly from Newark, N.J., to Beijing on March 2 before traveling to Shanghai on March 6 and returning to the States on March 9. While in China, the Quakers will hold several practices, hold clinics for youths and young adults, and sight-see before the Penn-China Global Ambassadors Bowl.
Penn's visit to China is being organized by Global Football, whose president, Patrick Steenberge, a former Notre Dame quarterback, has produced games, events and tours in 28 countries on six continents since 1996.