Cal Poly Pomona Broncos
2002 Sports News Release

Caligiuri Has A Kick On Extreme Trip
Cal Poly Pomona soccer coach concludes 13-day goodwill tour

POMONA—Cal Poly Pomona men’s and women’s Head Soccer Coach Paul Caligiuri is heading home after an Extreme tour of Air Force bases overseas.

Caligiuri concluded the 13-day goodwill military tour with a final stop in Norway. Previously, he visited Air Force bases in London, Turkey and several in Germany. Caligiuri conducted soccer clinics for kids on the bases and also spent a lot of time meeting with the military personnel. The new Cal Poly Pomona coach was part of the U.S. Air Force’s Extreme Summer program, which encourages active-duty military, Defense Department civilians and family members eight years and older to participate in summer activities.

“My heart’s in the game of soccer,” Caligiuri said to the Stars and Stripes military newspaper. “I’ve often asked, ‘Are we missing some key talent on these Armed Forces bases over here?’”

Many of the soldiers at the bases and their children received autographs from Caligiuri and visited with the longtime U.S. soccer star. Caligiuri is best known for his game-winning goal against Trinidad and Tobago in 1989 that qualified the U.S. for the World Cup for the first time in 40 years.

“I represented the United States in a different form, in a different fashion,” Caligiuri said to soldiers at the Rhein Main Air Base in Germany. “You represent the United States in a far greater, more important form than I ever did. I thought I had it hard just going to preseason camp, but you guys are out here for six months or more.”

Caligiuri won’t have much to rest when he returns from the trip. Practice officially begins on Tuesday for Cal Poly Pomona’s men’s and women’s soccer teams and the Broncos open their 2002 seasons in three weeks. The women open with a home game against Fresno Pacific on Friday, Aug. 30, at 1 p.m., while the men open with a road game at Pt. Loma on Saturday, Aug. 31 at 1 p.m.

Note To Media: Photographs from the tour are available upon request.