Rome this year, South Africa next year, and beyond
Looks like Harbaugh and Company plan to do the abroad trip after Finals ever year. Specific places were mentioned and hadn't seen that posted yet.
- This year its Rome.
- Next year he wants South Africa
- Japan next
- Israel after that
New Zealand and London mentioned but no specifics given.
They plan to avoid the only once in 4 year limitation of international abroad trips by not scrimmaging against any other team.
Trip costs are said to being covered by a single donor. Speculation, Ross?
http://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/18600045/jim-harbaugh-m…
*SIAP, any mention of south africa brought up no results
***edit: I see I was beaten to the punch. Guess formatting and more information loses the race
February 1st, 2017 at 4:57 PM ^
Michigan can get a leg up on recruiting Sumos from Japan. I'm sure they can make good Olinemen?
February 1st, 2017 at 5:06 PM ^
it worked for Jumbo
February 1st, 2017 at 5:11 PM ^
in central Tokyo.
They had a football team.
My high school team in Michigan, which was not good at all, would have smoked them.
February 1st, 2017 at 4:59 PM ^
Pretty slick recruiting tactic.... I wonder how big of a fit the SEC throws.
February 1st, 2017 at 5:00 PM ^
Who else but Jim Harbaugh would come up with such a great idea?
These students will remember these educational foreign trips forever.
I wonder how long before the NCAA tries to shut it down ...
February 1st, 2017 at 5:01 PM ^
Harbaugh is just a step ahead of everyone on this stuff.
People bitch and moan about college players not getting paid...and I hear you. I'm not going down that road. But my point is he's taking all of this money and investing in his players.
NCAA can eat a dick.
Sorry for my language, but it's just how I feel at the moment.
February 1st, 2017 at 5:04 PM ^
I prefer this thread. The other OP just talks about a single donor footing the bill this year, but you explicitly mentioned the new info about subsequent trip destinations.
Also, that is awesome. Expensive, and need to make sure they're not running afoul of any other NCAA bylaws, but man - what a fantastic opportunity. I'm sure some of the kids have been abroad, but I'm guessing most of them have never been out of the country.
(assumption based on the fact that only about 36% of Americans have a passport, meaning that at least 64% of Americans have not legally traveled outside our borders; some analysis even suggests that less than 5% of the US population travels overseas in any given year, with tje vast majority of international travel being to Mexico, Canada, and the Caribbean)
February 1st, 2017 at 5:04 PM ^
Obviously great for the people who get to go on these trips, but they are definitely a recruiting carrot too. More power to Harbaugh. Giving his players every positive experience he can think of.
February 1st, 2017 at 5:05 PM ^
I thought they shut down spring break trips after this year though. How are they getting around that?
February 1st, 2017 at 5:08 PM ^
"Looks like Harbaugh and Company plan to do the abroad trip after Finals ever year."
February 1st, 2017 at 5:18 PM ^
spits his dip on the ground at Sankey's feet, and then yells "F-U" with an enthusiasm unknown to mankind....no, actually, I think he just gives that evil Grinch smile of his, raises his eyebrows, and walks away. that's how he does it.
February 1st, 2017 at 5:23 PM ^
Because Michigan's semester ends so early, they can do the bulk of their spring practice in late March/early April and then still fit the trip after finals to be in the 45 day window, and since it's after classes are done, it isn't a university break that counts apparently.
Players probably also could opt out of it but why the hell would anyone opt out of a free trip like this?
February 1st, 2017 at 5:11 PM ^
it's great, to be, a Michigan wolverine
February 1st, 2017 at 5:12 PM ^
There are some big and mean rugby dudes in South Africa. This might pay off in recruiting!
February 1st, 2017 at 5:13 PM ^
Just need the alumni association to set up the fan package. Great list.
February 1st, 2017 at 5:14 PM ^
Next year everyone is going to want to be an EE so they can go on the trip. I wonder how that will play out in recruiting since those spots are so limited.
February 1st, 2017 at 5:15 PM ^
Harbaugh just seems to get it. He knows that Michigan has plenty of money/donors willing to give money to the program and since he can't pay the players explicitly you might as well give them experiences that will last a liftetime. Bonus is that he gets to stick it to the NCAA and SEC
February 1st, 2017 at 5:24 PM ^
exactly. Harbaugh's brilliant. effectively puts our bagmen out in the open, but within the rules. (commenting from app, otherwise would upvote)
February 1st, 2017 at 5:52 PM ^
This is a great thing for the players. I spent a year on Okinawa many moons ago and still remember the cool things I did. My dad also fought there in WW2 so that was neat to see things. Good for M and the kids. F U to the NCAA if they block this.
February 1st, 2017 at 6:15 PM ^
Israel would be at the top but holy cow, the next four years are going to be awesome for the program for this alone.
February 1st, 2017 at 6:49 PM ^
until Hamas wipes out our entire program
February 1st, 2017 at 6:20 PM ^
Sounds fantastic!
(Of course, I especially like the plan to go to Japan)
But how do these trips not run afoul of NCAA 'improper benefits' regulations?
February 1st, 2017 at 6:25 PM ^
Hmmmm. I can think of places that would be more appealing to a 18-22 year olds than South Africa, Israel, Japan. Vegas. Rio. Los Angeles. New Orleans. Atlanta. Austin.
These trips are also opportunities to make (indirect) recruiting inroads.
February 1st, 2017 at 7:11 PM ^
This is an academic experience. Probably 75% of the roster is under 21 so it's not like they could do much in Vegas, LA, etc anyway.
February 1st, 2017 at 7:19 PM ^
As an old(er) guy, I absolutely love the idea of young people going overseas. Setting aside the whole football thing for a moment, experiencing another country and culture provides so many benefits, especially if you can immerse yourself in it. You look at the world differently, you look at the USA differently. You get a new perspective on almost everything. If you go with an open mind, once you return, you realize the world is a much bigger place than you ever thought. It's exciting and humbling at the same time. Spending a week may not be long enough to get the full benefits, but maybe this trip will spur some of these kids to live and work overseas on their own. Didn't mean to preach. And, yes, get off my lawn.
February 1st, 2017 at 7:11 PM ^
Next Trip
Historic cross country Clark Griswold Trip to WallyWorld, in an 100 person RV, stopping at Cedar Point, Mac Island, Yellowstone, Denver, Four Corners, Rushmore, Ruby Falls, Mighty Mac, Ludington Ferry, Casinos, Taquammadon (sp) Falls, Painted/Pictured Rocks, Route 66, Grand Cannon, Mississippi River, St Louis Arches, Kentucky Derby, Rockwell, Area 51, Oswald Bear Ranch, Soo Locks, Milwaukee Largest Ball of Twine, Vegas, San Fran, Chi Town, NOLA..FLA
February 1st, 2017 at 7:36 PM ^
It's going to be hard for Mark D. and Tony O. to recruit the galaxy when Harbaugh is holding spring practice on Kepler-452b.
February 1st, 2017 at 9:09 PM ^
man, this is really going to start making those, "where can I watch the (spring) game?" threads relevant again