Indiana University Athletics
Three Hoosiers Impact Young Lives, Experience New Adventures Through Coach for College Program
6/4/2018 7:00:00 AM | General, Women's Swimming and Diving, Wrestling, Academic Services, Track and Field
Bloomington, Ind. – When IU student-athletes Dillon Hoey, Marcus Ellington and Marie Chamberlain decided to attend Indiana University and compete in intercollegiate athletics, all three envisioned enjoying some of the greatest experiences of their lives during their time in Bloomington.
That is happening for each this summer, but not in Bloomington. Instead, it is unfolding right now, nearly 9,000 miles away.
The trio of Hoosier student-athletes are currently in Vietnam, serving as coach counselors for the Coach for College program. This 11-year-old program offers student-athletes from American universities an opportunity to immerse themselves in another culture while working with disadvantaged youths in developing countries. Each student-athlete pairs with a Vietnamese University student to teach a specific sport, academic subject and life skill to middle-school aged children during the three-week camp.
The local youths, meanwhile, not only benefit from the summer camp athletic and academic instruction, but also from the introduction to higher education opportunities in their home country and the U.S.
The Hoosier trio departed May 23, and return June 18. All three envision an experience that will rival anything they have enjoyed in the classroom or in competition.
"Not only did I realize this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, but also the closest experience I will have to studying abroad," said Hoey, who just completed his freshman year on IU's wrestling team. "I knew I needed to get involved."
Chamberlain, meanwhile, has been aware of the Coach for College Program since her freshman year. After graduating in May, she found this summer to be the perfect time to get involved in the program and make a difference.
"Not only have I always wanted to go abroad, but I have always wanted to be a part of something bigger than myself and help people in a way that I would otherwise not be able to do if I stayed in the States," said Chamberlain. "Going to Vietnam is such an amazing opportunity because I not only get to travel, but I get to pass on my knowledge and experience of American athletics and culture to children who would otherwise never have the chance to learn (about them)."
While IU's Excellence Academy staff have encouraged student-athletes to consider participating in the program for the last handful of years, Ellington said it was Coach for College alums who were also his track and field teammates who piqued his interest in the program. Past and present IU track and field student-athletes Derrick Morgan (2015), Megan Grabowski (2016) and Paul Galas (2017) have each participated in the program.
"My teammates made it sound like one of the most amazing experiences they had ever had, so I definitely wanted to get in on the trip," Ellington said. "The opportunity to travel the world along with having an impact on kids' lives sounded like a great experience to me and I knew I wanted to take part in that immediately."
During the three-week camp, Ellington is teaching English along with basketball. Chamberlain, meanwhile, is teaching math and baseball. Hoey will also be coaching baseball and will be teaching English. While teaching academics, sports and life skills is the focus of the camp experience Monday-Friday, the weekends focus on planned excursions for the student-athlete participants so that they can experience other parts and areas of Vietnam.
While getting a series of immunization shots and making tough decisions on what and what not to pack were all a big part of each student's preparation, they also spent a significant amount of time learning as much as possible about a country they were going to call home for nearly four weeks.
"I wanted to make sure I learned the culture of the area," Ellington said. "Doing something in America might be fine here but it could be seen as offensive somewhere else, so I brushed up on the culture and the politics of the area. I also took some time to learn some Vietnamese phrases, in order to try to become more familiar with the language and also to try to speak to the children."
That preparation had each geared up for an opportunity of a lifetime.
"This opportunity not only allows me to experience another culture, but also allows me to give back and impact many lives, all in one trip," said Hoey.
"It's corny, but I am most excited about really finding my identity outside of college athletics," said Chamberlain. "I can't wait to see how my service to others affects their lives. My favorite thing to spread is joy, and I think that spreading smiles across the globe will be a life-changing experience."
That is happening for each this summer, but not in Bloomington. Instead, it is unfolding right now, nearly 9,000 miles away.
The trio of Hoosier student-athletes are currently in Vietnam, serving as coach counselors for the Coach for College program. This 11-year-old program offers student-athletes from American universities an opportunity to immerse themselves in another culture while working with disadvantaged youths in developing countries. Each student-athlete pairs with a Vietnamese University student to teach a specific sport, academic subject and life skill to middle-school aged children during the three-week camp.
The local youths, meanwhile, not only benefit from the summer camp athletic and academic instruction, but also from the introduction to higher education opportunities in their home country and the U.S.
The Hoosier trio departed May 23, and return June 18. All three envision an experience that will rival anything they have enjoyed in the classroom or in competition.
"Not only did I realize this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, but also the closest experience I will have to studying abroad," said Hoey, who just completed his freshman year on IU's wrestling team. "I knew I needed to get involved."
Chamberlain, meanwhile, has been aware of the Coach for College Program since her freshman year. After graduating in May, she found this summer to be the perfect time to get involved in the program and make a difference.
"Not only have I always wanted to go abroad, but I have always wanted to be a part of something bigger than myself and help people in a way that I would otherwise not be able to do if I stayed in the States," said Chamberlain. "Going to Vietnam is such an amazing opportunity because I not only get to travel, but I get to pass on my knowledge and experience of American athletics and culture to children who would otherwise never have the chance to learn (about them)."
While IU's Excellence Academy staff have encouraged student-athletes to consider participating in the program for the last handful of years, Ellington said it was Coach for College alums who were also his track and field teammates who piqued his interest in the program. Past and present IU track and field student-athletes Derrick Morgan (2015), Megan Grabowski (2016) and Paul Galas (2017) have each participated in the program.
"My teammates made it sound like one of the most amazing experiences they had ever had, so I definitely wanted to get in on the trip," Ellington said. "The opportunity to travel the world along with having an impact on kids' lives sounded like a great experience to me and I knew I wanted to take part in that immediately."
During the three-week camp, Ellington is teaching English along with basketball. Chamberlain, meanwhile, is teaching math and baseball. Hoey will also be coaching baseball and will be teaching English. While teaching academics, sports and life skills is the focus of the camp experience Monday-Friday, the weekends focus on planned excursions for the student-athlete participants so that they can experience other parts and areas of Vietnam.
While getting a series of immunization shots and making tough decisions on what and what not to pack were all a big part of each student's preparation, they also spent a significant amount of time learning as much as possible about a country they were going to call home for nearly four weeks.
"I wanted to make sure I learned the culture of the area," Ellington said. "Doing something in America might be fine here but it could be seen as offensive somewhere else, so I brushed up on the culture and the politics of the area. I also took some time to learn some Vietnamese phrases, in order to try to become more familiar with the language and also to try to speak to the children."
That preparation had each geared up for an opportunity of a lifetime.
"This opportunity not only allows me to experience another culture, but also allows me to give back and impact many lives, all in one trip," said Hoey.
"It's corny, but I am most excited about really finding my identity outside of college athletics," said Chamberlain. "I can't wait to see how my service to others affects their lives. My favorite thing to spread is joy, and I think that spreading smiles across the globe will be a life-changing experience."
Players Mentioned
Back/Free
/ Women's Swimming and Diving
Distance
/ Track and Field
High Jump
/ Track and Field
Sprints
/ Track and Field
/ Wrestling
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