The American College of Greece and Deree Athletics hosted a landmark Flag Football Camp on Friday, February 6, welcoming more than 200 Pierce students to an exceptional athletic experience that brought the energy, professionalism, and global reach of the NFL to the ACG campus.
The event formed part of a high-profile Flag Football showcase in Athens led by the Los Angeles Chargers, highlighting the sport’s rapid international growth and its emerging status as an Olympic discipline ahead of the Los Angeles 2028 Games.
A special note of appreciation is extended to the players and coaches of the Hellenic Flag Football League, whose active participation and on-field support were instrumental to the success of the Flag Football Camp.
The camp also marked an important step in the ongoing collaboration between the Los Angeles Chargers and The American College of Greece to support the development and promotion of Flag Football in Greece, combining international expertise with ACG’s educational and athletic mission. For the day, the world-class facilities of ACG were transformed into a professional NFL-style training environment, offering students a rare opportunity to experience elite-level sport within an educational setting.
The camp was the result of a strong collaborative effort involving Deree Athletics, the Los Angeles Chargers, the U.S. Embassy in Greece, the General Secretariat of Sports, Action Media, and the Hellenic Flag Football League, with the valuable support of Deree student volunteers, ensuring a seamless and inspiring experience for all participants.
A central highlight of the event was the active involvement of Daiyan Henley, Linebacker of the Los Angeles Chargers, who worked directly with the students on the field. Through hands-on engagement, drills, and interaction, he shared the passion, intensity, and competitive spirit of professional American Football, inspiring participants and creating a memorable learning experience for Pierce students.
Throughout the program, students rotated through structured Flag Football activities focusing on speed, agility, teamwork, tactical awareness, and sportsmanship. The program concluded with an exhibition game, allowing participants to experience how Flag Football is played.
During the event, ACG President Dr. Edward Wingenbach welcomed the development program and joined students on the field, enjoying an informal exchange of ball throws with guests and Pierce students – an interaction that reflected the strong sense of community, accessibility, and shared enthusiasm that characterizes The American College of Greece. The General Secretary of Sports, Mr. Georgios Mavrotas, also attended the event, offering welcome remarks and expressing support for the initiative.
In recognition of their contribution to the growth and development of Flag Football, special plaques were presented by President Wingenbach to:
- Mr. Josh Huck, Deputy Chief of Mission, U.S. Embassy in Greece
- Mr. Fred Maas, Chief of Staff, Los Angeles Chargers
- Mr. Daiyan Henley, Linebacker, Los Angeles Chargers
These honors underscored the importance of international collaboration and a shared commitment to youth sport, education, and athletic development.
The Flag Football Camp stands as a strong example of the outreach, impact, and global engagement of The American College of Greece, reinforcing the institution’s role as a hub for innovative athletic programming and meaningful international partnerships. As Flag Football continues its path toward Olympic recognition, initiatives such as this further position Athens – and ACG – as a vital point of connection between global sport and local youth development.
