The Ivy League announced Thursday it’s partnering with Japan’s National Football Association to compete in the Japan-U.S. Dream Bowl in Tokyo in January.
An Ivy League All-Star football team composed of senior and graduate student-athletes will play Japan’s All-Star Team on Sunday, Jan. 21 at 11:00 p.m. EST, the Ivy League announced in a press release. The game will be broadcast live in Japan on Jan. 22 at 1:00 p.m. JST from the National Stadium that was built for the 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympic Games. (RELATED: Trans Student Shatters Women’s Swimming Records After Switching From Men’s Team)
TOKYO BOUND.
The Ivy League has partnered with Japan’s National Football Association to play in the Japan-U.S. Dream Bowl in Tokyo in January. The league will have a 52-person roster comprised of student-athletes from all eight programs.🌿🏈
📰 » https://t.co/KhCEtrtTzg pic.twitter.com/1f8HHz83fe
— The Ivy League (@IvyLeague) December 1, 2022
Led by Columbia University’s head coach Al Bagnoli, the Ivy League will send 52 student-athletes from all eight of its schools. They will arrive in Japan on Jan. 15 and participate in cultural experiences throughout the trip, including a visit to the U.S. Embassy, interaction with Ivy League alumni, discussions with Japanese students and social exchanges with the Japanese team.
Japan’s National Football Association had contacted the Ivy League to scale its interest in competing in the Dream Bowl with the goal of growing the game of football in Japan.
“I am truly excited for the student-athletes and coaches that have this special opportunity to participate in the Japan-U.S. Dream Bowl,” Ivy League Executive Director Robin Harris said.