Futebol

USC Football Players construção de casas no Haiti

LOS ANGELES, EUA (defend.ht) - Dezesseis Universidade do Sul da Califórnia jogadores de futebol voltou na semana passada de uma viagem ao Haiti, onde construíram quatro casas para as vítimas do terremoto de 2010. Os troianos entrar na temporada 2012 com grandes expectativas com 9 entradas e quarterback Matt Barkley retornando como idosos.

The trip was organized by Matt Barkley's father, Les Barkley, who has traveled to Haiti many times before and after the earthquake. Les is a volunteer with a non-profit Christian organization called Hope Force which specialized in doctors, medical and trauma treatment after the earthquake.

The Barkley family has a tradition of taking mission trips. But with Matt Barkley’s tight schedule, between summer school and football training, they found a one-week window and brought the team along with them.

De acordo com a Daily Trojan, Les Barkley suggested going to Haiti. His son Matt loved the idea and asked “‘Would it be OK if a couple of teammates came with us?’” Les Barkley.

The roster for the trip included captains and senior leaders safety T.J. McDonald, Matt Barkley, center Khaled Holmes, defensive end Devon Kennard and junior punter Kyle Negrete.

In Haiti, the team worked to build four homes for families in need, participate in food distribution in outlying communities and transport and distribute supplies and necessities to local schools and orphanages.

Les Barkley credits the university, students and faculty, for helping the team raise money for the team to take the trip.

“Virtually all of the funds came through the Trojan Family,” Les Barkley said.

Les Barkley said to the USC Athletics website helped generate word of mouth for the cause.

“When Trojan alumni heard what their team was doing, I got calls saying ‘Hey can I help? How can I support this effort?’” Les Barkley said.

Kennard said the trip helped develop stronger relationships between the players.

“We grew together because we had to go out there and work,” Kennard said. “Doing it as a team, made it all the better.”

On the Field

Aside from a very experienced class returning for the 2012 season, the Trojans boast a great recruiting season adding speed to their defense.

2012 is also the season that USC regains their eligibility to participate in post season play. They had been banned from bowl games for two years by the NCAA.