Central Michigan University

Monday, October 6, 2008

Soldiers and CMU football 'yield to none'

This sticker, which bears the Michigan National Guard griffin symbol and the "yield to none" motto, can be seen on the helmets of CMU football players throughout the 2008 season.

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Media Contact(s):

Heather Smith
989-774-1702
heather.smith@cmich.edu

Football fans and U.S. military supporters may have more in common than they might think. The Central Michigan University football team and members of the 1st Battalion, 125th Infantry of the Michigan National Guard, who are currently deployed in Iraq, have created a partnership to encourage, support and learn from each other and together have vowed to "yield to none."

The 125th Infantry, known as Task Force Viking, mobilized in January 2008 at Fort Hood, Texas, then deployed to Ramadi, Iraq, one of the country's most violence prone areas, and are scheduled to return home in late December. Made up of soldiers from Flint, Saginaw, Big Rapids, Wyoming and Bay City, the task force is home to many CMU students, including many CMU Reserve Officers' Training Corp cadets, as well as several CMU alumni.

Lt. Col. Aaron Kalloch, chair of CMU's military science department, helped to create the partnership. Kalloch has served two tours of duty in Iraq and says that there are substantial similarities between a football team and an Army infantry.

"A football team and an Army Infantry Battalion have similar organizational and hierarchical structures, are extremely team focused, and leaders play critical roles," said Kalloch. "When necessary, each uses force to inflict violence on an opponent, within the rules, to accomplish prescribed objectives such as win the game or battle. This partnership is a great motivational factor for everyone involved."

CMU junior PFC Philip Gerhardt will present the American flag that flew over the battalion headquarters in Ramadi on Sept. 11, 2008 to CMU athletics director Dave Heeke at CMU's homecoming football game Oct. 11. A military appreciation night also is being planned in conjunction with CMU's football game against Ball State Nov. 19 in Kelly/Shorts Stadium.

The football players and soldiers have exchanged inspirational video messages and the soldiers have received CMU items such as flags, posters, jerseys and pennants. The soldiers also are able to watch or listen to CMU's games via the Internet.

"It is an honor and a privilege for us to be associated with the 125th Infantry," said CMU head football coach Butch Jones. "Their battalion has been a source of pride and a great example of commitment for our football program. The relationship has benefited our program by heightening our players' awareness of current events and the daily struggles those individuals go through to protect our freedom."

For additional news from Central Michigan University visit its online newsroom at http://www.news.cmich.edu.