2008 Woodie Awards
International students meet American past time
Erik Hyrkas
Issue date: 10/4/07 Section: Features
Eleven English Learning Institute (ELI) students played football last week thanks to Suzanne House and Ryan Maiuri.
House, a professor of the ELI program contacted Maiuri, a Lakeland alumnus and new defensive back coach, asked if he could help teach the students in the program.
"I was watching football and I was thinking, it's an easier sport to learn if people teach you, and to them [international students] football is the mystery sport," said House.
After pitching the idea, Maiuri got together six others, some players, and some coaches to help teach the students. House went over football terms and rules in class the day before.
The session began with Maiuri and the others showing the ELI students how to throw the football inside Founders Gymnasium. Most of the students caught on quickly, and were throwing spirals in five minutes' time.
After throwing, the players and coaches explained the pads worn in football. The girls "oohed" and "ahhed," as Hirokazu Katoh of Japan tried on the pants, James Trazile of Haiti, the football helmet, and Zhen Yu Wu of China, the shoulder pads and Lakeland jersey.
Following the pads, the students were introduced to the kicking tee, and several successfully kicked the football 20 yards.
Later, Maiuri and Defensive Coordinator Colin Bruton helped teach the premise of offense and defense, thereby moving the game outside, where they could teach them yard measurements, touchdowns, and kicking off and doing field goals.
The girls had a particularly awkward time learning how the ball is hiked to the quarterback. In their uncomfortable laughter, they eventually found the courage to do it themselves.
After the basics were learned, a few downs were played by the group, and at least one successful touchdown was made by Trazile.
Wu commented, "It's hard to play, but very fun." Wu and many of the students had never seen or played the sport before. "I play basketball and sometimes soccer," said Wu.
Field goals were the most exciting to the students. Coach Bruton held the ball as Wu, Trazile, Katoh and several others attempted to kick the ball between the uprights. Trazile and Katoh both succeeded on their third attempts, as the group cheered wildly for them.
Maiuri and the other coaches concluded the event in encouraging any of the students to come to practice to watch, or even try out.
"I liked it. I thought it was a good idea, they seemed to enjoy it," said Offensive Lineman Tom Kelly.
Maiuri was a quarterback for Lakeland for his entire undergraduate career, as well as working for the ELI program for two of those years.
The ELI program currently has 20 students enrolled; one of the highest numbers ever according to House. The program helps teach international students English, and about American culture. This semester 59 new international students have come to Lakeland.
House, a professor of the ELI program contacted Maiuri, a Lakeland alumnus and new defensive back coach, asked if he could help teach the students in the program.
"I was watching football and I was thinking, it's an easier sport to learn if people teach you, and to them [international students] football is the mystery sport," said House.
After pitching the idea, Maiuri got together six others, some players, and some coaches to help teach the students. House went over football terms and rules in class the day before.
The session began with Maiuri and the others showing the ELI students how to throw the football inside Founders Gymnasium. Most of the students caught on quickly, and were throwing spirals in five minutes' time.
After throwing, the players and coaches explained the pads worn in football. The girls "oohed" and "ahhed," as Hirokazu Katoh of Japan tried on the pants, James Trazile of Haiti, the football helmet, and Zhen Yu Wu of China, the shoulder pads and Lakeland jersey.
Following the pads, the students were introduced to the kicking tee, and several successfully kicked the football 20 yards.
Later, Maiuri and Defensive Coordinator Colin Bruton helped teach the premise of offense and defense, thereby moving the game outside, where they could teach them yard measurements, touchdowns, and kicking off and doing field goals.
The girls had a particularly awkward time learning how the ball is hiked to the quarterback. In their uncomfortable laughter, they eventually found the courage to do it themselves.
After the basics were learned, a few downs were played by the group, and at least one successful touchdown was made by Trazile.
Wu commented, "It's hard to play, but very fun." Wu and many of the students had never seen or played the sport before. "I play basketball and sometimes soccer," said Wu.
Field goals were the most exciting to the students. Coach Bruton held the ball as Wu, Trazile, Katoh and several others attempted to kick the ball between the uprights. Trazile and Katoh both succeeded on their third attempts, as the group cheered wildly for them.
Maiuri and the other coaches concluded the event in encouraging any of the students to come to practice to watch, or even try out.
"I liked it. I thought it was a good idea, they seemed to enjoy it," said Offensive Lineman Tom Kelly.
Maiuri was a quarterback for Lakeland for his entire undergraduate career, as well as working for the ELI program for two of those years.
The ELI program currently has 20 students enrolled; one of the highest numbers ever according to House. The program helps teach international students English, and about American culture. This semester 59 new international students have come to Lakeland.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
James Trazile
posted 6/30/08 @ 12:17 AM CST
You guys are great at writing stories. Every time I read that story, it reminds me of the fun time we had learning and playing football.
Go LC!!!!!!!!!!!! Mwen renmen LC!!!!!
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