Men's Soccer to Be Featured on Fox Soccer Channel
10/31/2006 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Oct. 31, 2006
MILWAUKEE - The Marquette soccer program will be featured on FC Fox, a show devoted to youth and amateur soccer in the U.S. The Marquette segment will first air on Friday, November 3 at 6:30 p.m.
The show is hosted by Ethan Zohn, who came to national prominence as the winner of Survivor: Africa and is also the co-founder of Grassroot Soccer and each episode will be anchored by two special interest features, offering viewers an in-depth and behind-the-scenes look into their favorite soccer stars and role models, as well as real-life stories about college, high-school and youth-league athletes, coaches and teams.
Marquette is the special interest story featured in the episode set to air. On October 13-14, the Marquette soccer program, along with the Excellency Clinic, held a fundraising 3v3 youth tournament that benefitted Zohn's Grassroot Soccer program, a non-profit organization which trains Africa's professional soccer players to teach children about HIV/AIDS prevention. Zohn and the Fox Soccer Channel crew were present for the tournament and Marquette's game against Seton Hall on October 14.
The tournament and subsequent auction generated over $12,000 for Grassroot Soccer in. Zohn was gracious to the fact that the Marquette soccer community was so supportive to his cause and stressed the lessons learned by the participants were invaluable.
"The money (raised) aspect is secondary to the empowerment it gives american youth. The lesson they learn that they can make a differnce in Africa just by paying a small fee and playing soccer," Zohn said.
Zohn, a talented soccer player in his own right, had the opportunity to spend time with Marquette soccer and came away with some positive experiences.
"I was very impressed with the Marquette coaching staff, facilities, friendliness and willingness to go abouve and beyond to help others," he said. "The selflessness was astounding and so good to see. Its all about community. Becoming one with the Marquette and Milwaukee community. And thats what the whole day was about."
He also expressed his gratitude to Excellency Clinic co-founder Khaled El-Ahmad, a Marquette assistant coach.
"I had never met Khaled, yet his desire to create change through soccer is rare to see. Somehting to be commended," Zohn concluded.
For more information on the Fox Soccer Channel, click here.
For more information on Grassroot Soccer, click here.
For more information on the Excellency Clinic, click here.