Temple University Athletics
Temple Football Heads to Japan
5.7.18 | Football
Collins and Players Go Abroad to Advance American Football and College Athletics
PHILADELPHIA – Temple head football coach Geoff Collins and eight members from the team will take a nine-day trip to Japan in May to grow the game of American football. Seniors Michael Dogbe, Frank Nutile, and Jaelin Robinson, juniors Shaun Bradley, Linwood Crump and Isaiah Wright, and sophomores Dan Archibong and Matt Hennessy (see player bios below) will join Collins and several staff members.
Collins was originally asked to travel to Japan and spearhead football coaching clinics on player safety, but the endeavor grew from there. Dr. Jeremy Jordan, associate dean of Temple's School of Sport, Tourism & Hospitality Management (STHM), enlisted Collins to participate in the clinics as part of a two-year, on-going effort by Temple University to support college athletics in Japan. The intended goal is to assist Japan's higher education to restructure its college athletics. Currently, many universities empower 30-40 sports to participate at the club level with no funding other than participants' entry fees.
"This trip is a tremendous learning opportunity for our student-athletes and coaches as well as a chance to showcase Temple University to an entirely new culture and nation," said Temple Director of Athletics Dr. Patrick Kraft. "Our students will learn about Japanese culture and customs while educating their hosts on the game of football. It is a win-win endeavor and I cannot wait to hear the stories upon their return."
"Student-athletes were chosen for this trip based on exemplary academic performance, leadership and service to Temple and the larger community," said Jordan, who also serves as the athletic department's faculty athletics representative. "I have had an opportunity to spend time with the student-athletes and have no doubt they will be amazing ambassadors for the game of football and Temple University."
The endeavor will take on additional components which will comprise a three-credit summer course for the selected group. "Sport, Culture, and Tourism in Japan" will be taught by Dr. Daniel Funk who will join the eight football players on the trip. In addition to several football clinics at Hosei and Kansai Universities, the class will take trips to three different cities – Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto – and visit the U.S. Embassy, University of Tokyo, a Tokyo Giants baseball game, a sumo wrestling tournament, several temples and shrines, and Dome Corporation Headquarters.
"We've done something like this before and the experience was positive and very memorable," said Funk, who supervised a trip to Italy and France for the women's basketball team last year. "One of my favorite elements is comparing their essays written beforehand on what they expect, compared to the ones they write when they return on what they actually experienced."
Dome Corporation (exclusive licensee and distributor for Under Armour in Japan) and Temple University Japan (TUJ) will serve as hosts to the traveling party and provide tour guides and interpreters throughout the trip. Both partners will ensure that the traveling party partake in a culturally unique, once-in-a-lifetime experience.
"This is going to be a great experience for our players," said Collins. "They've earned this opportunity by all they do for our university on the field, in the classroom, and in the great city of Philadelphia. Credit goes to Dr. Jordan, Dr. Funk, and Dr. Kraft and our great partners at TUJ and Dome Corporation for making this happen. I'm looking forward to experiencing a new culture and sharing our knowledge of football to those in Japan eager to learn. I know our players will have a great time and serve as tremendous ambassadors for Temple and our football program."
The group will depart on May 11 and return on May 20. Temple football fans are encouraged to "travel along with the group" by way of a daily blog on owlsports.com and daily images and videos on twitter (@Temple_FB).
Dan Archibong - pronounced: arch-EE-bong - (6-6, 285) is a redshirt sophomore defensive tackle. In 2017, he played in all 13 games with 10 starts and earned ECAC Defensive Rookie of the Year honors. In all, he totaled 20 tackles with 2.0 sacks, while taking on blockers to free up the linebacking corps to make the majority of the team's tackles. The Springfield, Pa., native is a criminal justice major and has earned Athletic Director's Honor Roll and American Athletic Conference All-Academic Team honors.
Shaun Bradley (6-1, 225) is a junior middle linebacker. By definition of his position, and his tenacity and personality, he is the leader of the defense. He topped the Owls with 85 tackles in 2017, including 10.0 tackles-for-loss. The Mt. Holly, N.J., native played just one year of football in high school. He is a sport and recreation management major.
Linwood Crump (6-0, 175) is a junior cornerback. He has played in 26 straight games since joining the Owls in 2016. He started six games in 2017 and enters the 2018 season poised for a starting role. Crump is a South Amboy, N.J., native who majors in sport and recreation management.
Michael Dogbe (pronounced DOG-bee) is a redshirt senior defensive tackle and a freak of nature. At 6-3, 280, he can bench press 495-lbs., squat 605-lbs., and run a 4.8 40-yard dash. A two-year starter, he has collected 86 tackles in 41 games. He has emerged as a leader of the team and senior member of the "Wildboyz," the nickname of the defensive line. The Parsippany Hills, N.J. native is expected to receive his degree in strategic communications this spring.
Matt Hennessy (6-4, 295) is a redshirt sophomore center. In 2017, Hennessy was the only freshman on the Rimington Watch List which recognizes the top centers in college football. A perfect blend of size, strength and intelligence, Hennessy leads the offensive line by making all the protection calls. Originally recruited by Harvard, he holds a 3.6 GPA in business management. The Bardonia, N.Y., native attended Don Bosco Prep along with Temple QB Frank Nutile.
Frank Nutile (6-4, 200) is a redshirt senior quarterback. Nicknamed "Frankie Juice," he came on late in the 2017 season to become the unquestioned leader of the team. Starting the final six games, he engineered four victories including a 28-3 victory in the Gasparilla Bowl where he earned MVP honors. He threw for at least 200 yards and one touchdown in each game and totaled 1,600 yards and 12 TDs for the season. Nutile has already earned his degree in accounting and the Wayne, N.J., native is a four-time member of the President's Honor Roll and the American Athletic Conference All-Academic Team.
Jaelin Robinson (6-6, 325) is a redshirt senior offensive lineman. Despite playing just one year of football in high school, the former basketball standout has made the transition to football and plays four of the five positions on the offensive line. He has played in 27 career games and enters 2018 projected in as the starting right tackle. The West Haven, Conn., native is scheduled to receive his degree in criminal justice this spring.
Isaiah Wright (6-2, 220) is a junior wide receiver and return specialist. One of the most electrifying players in college football, he is a "touchdown waiting to happen," according to wide receivers coach Stan Hixon. Those words were prophetic as Wright scored in five different ways in 2017 – only the sixth NCAA player to accomplish that feat in the past 10 years. He scored touchdowns on a kick return (98-yds.), punt return (72-yds.), rushing (50-yds.) and added four scores receiving. He also threw a two-point conversion. The West Hartford, Conn., native led the Owls with 46 receptions for 668 yards in 2017.
Collins was originally asked to travel to Japan and spearhead football coaching clinics on player safety, but the endeavor grew from there. Dr. Jeremy Jordan, associate dean of Temple's School of Sport, Tourism & Hospitality Management (STHM), enlisted Collins to participate in the clinics as part of a two-year, on-going effort by Temple University to support college athletics in Japan. The intended goal is to assist Japan's higher education to restructure its college athletics. Currently, many universities empower 30-40 sports to participate at the club level with no funding other than participants' entry fees.
"This trip is a tremendous learning opportunity for our student-athletes and coaches as well as a chance to showcase Temple University to an entirely new culture and nation," said Temple Director of Athletics Dr. Patrick Kraft. "Our students will learn about Japanese culture and customs while educating their hosts on the game of football. It is a win-win endeavor and I cannot wait to hear the stories upon their return."
"Student-athletes were chosen for this trip based on exemplary academic performance, leadership and service to Temple and the larger community," said Jordan, who also serves as the athletic department's faculty athletics representative. "I have had an opportunity to spend time with the student-athletes and have no doubt they will be amazing ambassadors for the game of football and Temple University."
The endeavor will take on additional components which will comprise a three-credit summer course for the selected group. "Sport, Culture, and Tourism in Japan" will be taught by Dr. Daniel Funk who will join the eight football players on the trip. In addition to several football clinics at Hosei and Kansai Universities, the class will take trips to three different cities – Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto – and visit the U.S. Embassy, University of Tokyo, a Tokyo Giants baseball game, a sumo wrestling tournament, several temples and shrines, and Dome Corporation Headquarters.
"We've done something like this before and the experience was positive and very memorable," said Funk, who supervised a trip to Italy and France for the women's basketball team last year. "One of my favorite elements is comparing their essays written beforehand on what they expect, compared to the ones they write when they return on what they actually experienced."
Dome Corporation (exclusive licensee and distributor for Under Armour in Japan) and Temple University Japan (TUJ) will serve as hosts to the traveling party and provide tour guides and interpreters throughout the trip. Both partners will ensure that the traveling party partake in a culturally unique, once-in-a-lifetime experience.
"This is going to be a great experience for our players," said Collins. "They've earned this opportunity by all they do for our university on the field, in the classroom, and in the great city of Philadelphia. Credit goes to Dr. Jordan, Dr. Funk, and Dr. Kraft and our great partners at TUJ and Dome Corporation for making this happen. I'm looking forward to experiencing a new culture and sharing our knowledge of football to those in Japan eager to learn. I know our players will have a great time and serve as tremendous ambassadors for Temple and our football program."
The group will depart on May 11 and return on May 20. Temple football fans are encouraged to "travel along with the group" by way of a daily blog on owlsports.com and daily images and videos on twitter (@Temple_FB).
Dan Archibong - pronounced: arch-EE-bong - (6-6, 285) is a redshirt sophomore defensive tackle. In 2017, he played in all 13 games with 10 starts and earned ECAC Defensive Rookie of the Year honors. In all, he totaled 20 tackles with 2.0 sacks, while taking on blockers to free up the linebacking corps to make the majority of the team's tackles. The Springfield, Pa., native is a criminal justice major and has earned Athletic Director's Honor Roll and American Athletic Conference All-Academic Team honors.
Shaun Bradley (6-1, 225) is a junior middle linebacker. By definition of his position, and his tenacity and personality, he is the leader of the defense. He topped the Owls with 85 tackles in 2017, including 10.0 tackles-for-loss. The Mt. Holly, N.J., native played just one year of football in high school. He is a sport and recreation management major.
Linwood Crump (6-0, 175) is a junior cornerback. He has played in 26 straight games since joining the Owls in 2016. He started six games in 2017 and enters the 2018 season poised for a starting role. Crump is a South Amboy, N.J., native who majors in sport and recreation management.
Michael Dogbe (pronounced DOG-bee) is a redshirt senior defensive tackle and a freak of nature. At 6-3, 280, he can bench press 495-lbs., squat 605-lbs., and run a 4.8 40-yard dash. A two-year starter, he has collected 86 tackles in 41 games. He has emerged as a leader of the team and senior member of the "Wildboyz," the nickname of the defensive line. The Parsippany Hills, N.J. native is expected to receive his degree in strategic communications this spring.
Matt Hennessy (6-4, 295) is a redshirt sophomore center. In 2017, Hennessy was the only freshman on the Rimington Watch List which recognizes the top centers in college football. A perfect blend of size, strength and intelligence, Hennessy leads the offensive line by making all the protection calls. Originally recruited by Harvard, he holds a 3.6 GPA in business management. The Bardonia, N.Y., native attended Don Bosco Prep along with Temple QB Frank Nutile.
Frank Nutile (6-4, 200) is a redshirt senior quarterback. Nicknamed "Frankie Juice," he came on late in the 2017 season to become the unquestioned leader of the team. Starting the final six games, he engineered four victories including a 28-3 victory in the Gasparilla Bowl where he earned MVP honors. He threw for at least 200 yards and one touchdown in each game and totaled 1,600 yards and 12 TDs for the season. Nutile has already earned his degree in accounting and the Wayne, N.J., native is a four-time member of the President's Honor Roll and the American Athletic Conference All-Academic Team.
Jaelin Robinson (6-6, 325) is a redshirt senior offensive lineman. Despite playing just one year of football in high school, the former basketball standout has made the transition to football and plays four of the five positions on the offensive line. He has played in 27 career games and enters 2018 projected in as the starting right tackle. The West Haven, Conn., native is scheduled to receive his degree in criminal justice this spring.
Isaiah Wright (6-2, 220) is a junior wide receiver and return specialist. One of the most electrifying players in college football, he is a "touchdown waiting to happen," according to wide receivers coach Stan Hixon. Those words were prophetic as Wright scored in five different ways in 2017 – only the sixth NCAA player to accomplish that feat in the past 10 years. He scored touchdowns on a kick return (98-yds.), punt return (72-yds.), rushing (50-yds.) and added four scores receiving. He also threw a two-point conversion. The West Hartford, Conn., native led the Owls with 46 receptions for 668 yards in 2017.
Players Mentioned
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