ELITE TEAM MEMBER TESTIMONIALS
“AFW offers players a very unique experience as it gives athletes a ‘grand finale’ to their high school careers. Whether an athlete is coming off of a season-ending loss or a state championship title, AFW gives players the chance to use their skills from the sport they love to connect with a whole other culture and to bond with players from around the United States.”Brock Workman
Barrington HS (Illinois)
Washington University (St. Louis)
“Touring around France, seeing the beaches of Normandy in person, meeting my teammates, and playing football for my country
were all memories I will never forget.”
Joe Kutil
Notre Dame Preparatory, (Michigan)
Hillsdale College (Michigan)
were all memories I will never forget.”
Joe Kutil
Notre Dame Preparatory, (Michigan)
Hillsdale College (Michigan)
“My trip to France was incredible. I came back, not only with greater knowledge of a country with amazing food, culture and history, but also with a huge appreciation for the soldiers who fought to defend democracy and the freedom provided by the United States, during the second World War. I will cherish the memories I experienced for the rest of my life. Spending that time in France with my dad by my side was a huge privilege for me, and I am incredibly thankful and grateful to have experienced it. The work you and AFW does to put on this game is very beneficial to all who partake in the trip. Thank you so much for the opportunity.”
Ben Howard
Valhalla HS (California)
Cuyamaca Community College
Ben Howard
Valhalla HS (California)
Cuyamaca Community College
““The AFW ELITE opportunity to play football and tour Italy was such a unique and rewarding cultural experience. It allowed me to meet and bond with new teammates and the Italian football players. This trip was a fantastic way to end my HS career, I will remember it always.””
Joe Czelusniak
St. Peters, Staten Island NY
American International College – NCAA DII
Joe Czelusniak
St. Peters, Staten Island NY
American International College – NCAA DII
“I had the experience of a lifetime with the AFW ELITE squad in Italy. This trip was worth any amount of money because I gained friends that turned into brothers, who I will continue my relationship with for a lifetime.”
Drew Schuler
Jones, Waupaca
WI (Bemidji State University – NCAA DII)
Drew Schuler
Jones, Waupaca
WI (Bemidji State University – NCAA DII)
“My AFW experience was amazing and I think any athlete that has the opportunity to participate absolutely should. It was one of the most memorable trips of my life.”
Jack Davenport
Lipscomb Academy, Nashville, TN
Feather River JC (CA)
Jack Davenport
Lipscomb Academy, Nashville, TN
Feather River JC (CA)
“I want to thank you again for a great experience in Italy. Meeting a bunch of guys from all over the country for the first time and meshing the way we did to create a bond and a team was truly amazing. There was never a dull moment whether we were on the field or out touring the country.”
Joe Kalosky
The Lawrenceville School PG
(NJ)
Joe Kalosky
The Lawrenceville School PG
(NJ)
PARENT TESTIMONIALS
“Thanks again for the wonderful experience that you have provided for our young men. Erik has still not quit talking about his experience with the team, the life-long bonds that he’s made with both his teammates and a few of his French counterparts, as well as the wonderful memories he has had in traveling through the history that he’d only read about before.”Suzi Erwin
Mother of Jake Erwin
Belton HS (Texas)
“The Gierke Family can not thank you enough for this wonderful experience! It was definitely the best vacation we have and could ever have taken in our lives. There probably is not a day that goes by that we are not talking about something we saw or did while in France. I put together 3 scrapbooks together from our Paris/Normandy adventures. It was an amazing experience for the family members and even more so for our young men. Brett talks frequently about the Normandy excursion. He is a big history buff and that definitely made a huge impact on him. Forever your friends”
The Gierke Family
Indiana
The Gierke Family
Indiana
“Thank you, thank you, thank you for a more than amazing week in Italy with great athletes, coaches and families! We made it home and have jumped right into senior year activities, all-star game activities and normal life. We so enjoyed our time with AFW. Memories to last all our lives! You and your staff are to be commended on the sites and activities chosen! We thank you for inviting Dalton and we would jump on this opportunity again & again….aaah, if only we had another child!”
Lise Garver
Fresno CA (son Dalton, Clovis West HS, Fresno CA
Wesleyan University, CT)
Lise Garver
Fresno CA (son Dalton, Clovis West HS, Fresno CA
Wesleyan University, CT)
“Thanks to Coach Barnes and all the assistant coaches for inviting Cody, Alexandra and I for the trip of a lifetime. It was so well organized and planned to maximize our travel and football investment. My wife has always wanted to go to Italy. The trip included a great variety of Italian life and sites from ancient city streets and shops to the awe-inspiring churches including the Sistine Chapel, the Coliseum, The Vatican, Michelangelo’s paintings , statues, … with perfectly described stories and histories from our many excellent tour guides to the beauty of loive and grape orchards, foggy valleys and a sea plane taking off from the waters of Lake Como.
We had the perfect schedule of mixing meals, travel, guided tours, free time, football practice and spontaneous late night gatherings of some suspect parents and the 18-year olds were too pooped to contribute to our delinquency. With the culminating game and victory it was the greatest weeks of my life.
My thanks to the assistant coaches for making our experience educational and fun. They were smart, well organized and engaged in their respective roles with enthusiasm and a strong desire to pass on their football knowledge to our college bound sons all packaged in this incredible international opportunity.
I would recommend American Football Worldwide to any football player who wants proof that the earth isn’t flat and that exciting sites in distant lands, fascinating people from vastly different cultures await you if as you say they will ‘stretch themselves and get of of their comfort zone.”
Mike and Alexandra Wilkinson
Casper WY
son Cody to Holy Cross (CT)
Mike and Alexandra Wilkinson
Casper WY
son Cody to Holy Cross (CT)
“What an amazing week! As a very cautious and sometimes “smothering” Mom, I was pleasantly surprised and mostly relieved that all involved were amicable enough to get along so well with each other. It was an honor and privilege to see all of the pictures posted from the various places visited, but mostly to see the near instant bond that the team shared from the get-go. My family and I only me the amazing Chicago crew, but from what I hear from our son, all of these young men were talented, genuinely down-to-earth and easy to get to know. Coaches, my husband and I could never in a million years give you and your folks the ‘thanks’ that you deserve for doing such an outstanding job in just a short amount of time with 33 young, vivacious football playes and the ‘needy’ parents (like me) … I as so scared to take this leap, but we did it for Kyle. From the bottom or our hearts, thank you for giving these young men an opportunity of a lifetime and memories to share.”
Tawyna Jones
Knob Noster, Mo
son Kyle walk-on at Auburn University
Tawyna Jones
Knob Noster, Mo
son Kyle walk-on at Auburn University
COLLEGE COACH TESTIMONIALS
Coach Watts accepts commemorative trophy at post-game celebration after defeating the Dolphins in Ferrara, Italy.
“I encourage anyone looking to take their team overseas to use the services provided by Jim Barnes and American Football Worldwide. Oour tour was excellent and our grour had an amazing experience. Jim and the tour staff were extremely organized and provided our group with a first class, personable experience. We will definitely be using AFW again the next time we head overseas for a foreign competition tour.”Tom Watts
Head Football Coach
at Ohio Wesleyan University
Coach Zweifel with Coach Polance, L’Hospetelat Pioners and Jim Barnes AFW
“I just wanted to tell you what a great experience our trip to Spain and France was for our players and staff traveling with Ameircan Football Worldwide. We had such a phenomenal educational experience not only learning about Barcelona and seeing the history of such an exciting city and country, but also the personal touch you gave us will stay with us for a lifetime. Both the co-practice with the L’Hospetelat Pioners and the contest with the Bears in Tolouse, France were amazing for our student-athletes. The chance to spread American football around the world is a truly humbling experience that added value to our young men. Jim, we cannot wait for our next adventure with you and American Football Worldwide!”Stan Zweifel
Head Football Coach
University of Dubuque