Elon Football's junior class gaining global experience in Costa Rica

For a third consecutive year, juniors on the Elon University football team are spending spring break in Costa Rica as they participate in an immersive global experience.

​​As part of the Elon Commitment to diversity and global engagement for its students, the junior members of the team are traveling  throughout the Central American country during the eight-day trip as the student-athletes combine travel with learning. Shawn Tucker, associate professor of art, is leading the class, which focuses on the nation's culture, society, ecotourism and sports. The student-athletes are learning about conservation projects to protect the Green Turtle in the South Pacific, and about ecotourism ventures that attract tourists while remaining environmentally sustainable.

"Elon is a national leader when is comes to study abroad and global experiences," said Elon head coach Tony Trisciani. "Director of Athletics Dave Blank and our administration made a commitment that 100 percent of our student-athletes will have an opportunity to study abroad. This will be an amazing experience for our student-athletes and is also an opportunity for our players to grow closer as a team and develop as leaders of our program going into their senior season."

The team will have the opportunity to experience local culture and visit cultural sites, hike a wildlife sanctuary, host a football clinic, visit La Paz Waterfall Garden and explore the coastal ecosystems on an off-shore catamaran. The trip will also include a trip to the Reserva Playa Tortuga to complete volunteer work with the biologists from the sea turtle research center. During the visit, the team will refurbish nesting sites and remove plastic and other trash from the beach.

Throughout the trip, keep track with updates to the program's Twitter, Instagram and Facebook ​accounts. Updates will also be posted on elonphoenix.com.