The AFW Experience—Unfiltered.
Brock Workman
Barrington HS (Illinois) | Washington University (St. Louis)
“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.”
Stan Zweifel
Head Football Coach | University of Dubuque
“I just wanted to tell you what a great experience our trip to Spain and France was for our players and staff traveling with American 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’Hospitalet Pioners and the contest with the Bears in Toulouse, 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!”
Joe Kutil
Notre Dame Preparatory (Michigan) | Hillsdale College (Michigan)
“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.”
Ben Howard
Valhalla HS (California) | Cuyamaca Community College
“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 do to put on this game is very beneficial to all who partake in the trip. Thank you so much for the opportunity.”
Joe Czelusniak
St. Peters, Staten Island NY | American International College – NCAA DII
“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.”
Drew Schuler
Jones, Waupaca WI | Bemidji State University – 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.”
Jack Davenport
Lipscomb Academy, Nashville, TN | Feather River JC (CA)
“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.”
Joe Kalosky
The Lawrenceville School PG (NJ)
“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.”
Suzi Erwin
Mother of Jake Erwin | Belton HS (Texas)
“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.”
The Gierke Family
Indiana
“The Gierke Family cannot 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 three scrapbooks 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.”
Lise Garver
Fresno, CA (son Dalton – Clovis West HS | Wesleyan University, CT)
“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!”
Mike and Alexandra Wilkinson
Casper, WY (son Cody – Holy Cross, 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 Colosseum, the Vatican, Michelangelo’s paintings and statues—with perfectly described stories and histories from our many excellent tour guides. From the beauty of olive and grape orchards to 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. The 18-year-olds were too pooped to contribute to our delinquency! With the culminating game and victory, it was one of 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 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 and fascinating people from vastly different cultures await if, as you say, they will ‘stretch themselves and get out of their comfort zone.’”
Tawyna Jones
Knob Noster, MO (son Kyle – walk-on at Auburn University)
“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 met 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 players and the ‘needy’ parents (like me)… I was so scared to take this leap, but we did it for Kyle. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for giving these young men an opportunity of a lifetime and memories to share.”
Tom Watts
Head Football Coach | Ohio Wesleyan University
“I encourage anyone looking to take their team overseas to use the services provided by Jim Barnes and American Football Worldwide. Our tour was excellent and our group 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.”
