SPOKANE, Wash., Nov. 17 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- People to People Ambassador Programs, a subsidiary of Ambassadors Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: EPAX), a leader in global educational travel experiences, today announced its all-star line-up of head coaches that will lead its 2009 travel season. People to People Sports Ambassador Programs offer unique opportunities for student athletes to travel and train internationally with some of the top professional athletes and outstanding Olympians from around the world.

Traveling to eight countries in 2009, student athletes in grades 5-12 will travel and compete internationally, instructed by elite coaches who specialize in soccer, bowling, tennis, swimming, volleyball, baseball, basketball, and wrestling. Football and softball are two new sports programs added to the roster for 2009. While abroad, student athletes learn to expand their leadership and athletic skills while also connecting with diverse cultures and meeting people from around the world.



    2009 Sports Ambassador Programs include:

    * Sports Leadership Academy: Australia, Fiji and New Zealand
    * Youth Friendship Games: Holland and Austria
    * Brazilian Futebol in Rio de Janeiro, San Paolo and Santo Filomena.
    * Grand Slam Baseball Program: Japan
    * Grand Slam Tennis Program: England and France

"I'm thrilled to be a part of Sports Ambassador Programs for the third year," said Steve Sampson, former USA Men's National Team Soccer Coach and 2009 all-star coach for Youth Friendship Games in Austria. "Student athletes learn so much more than just new athletic skills. They stretch their perspective of the world, learn self-discipline and ultimately, develop greater self-confidence."

Led by award-winning coaches like Steve Sampson, former Team USA Men's Head Soccer Coach, Olympic Gold Medalist wrestler Rulon Gardner, NBA Hall of Famer Rick Barry, Super Bowl MVP Mark Rypien, and Olympic Gold Medalist soccer star Tiffeny Milbrett, students work one-on-one with coaches to improve their core athletic skills and techniques. Training also includes mental preparation, goal setting and nutrition tips to achieve peak athletic performance. Unique cultural visits and historic site tours are also part of the student athlete's experience.

"Our Sports Ambassador Programs allow student athletes to experience new cultures and meet new people while challenging them in the sport they love," said Kevin Campbell, senior director of sports programs for People to People Ambassador Programs. "The group of all-star head coaches that accompany and instruct our student athletes are the best in their respective sports. Our line-up includes former Olympians, a Super Bowl MVP, an NBA Hall of Famer and a World Series winner. From travel to training, our Sports Ambassador Programs are truly a one-of-a-kind experience."



    2009 All-Star Head Coaches:

    * Jeff Nelson, MLB World Series Champion                        Baseball
    * Rick Barry, NBA Hall of Famer                                 Basketball
    * Rollie Massimino, Legendary NCAA Men's Basketball Coach       Basketball
    * Ceal Barry, Former Univ. of Colorado Women's Basketball Coach Basketball
    * Jeri Edwards, Team USA Head Bowling Coach                     Bowling
    * Mark Rypien, NFL Super Bowl MVP                               Football
    * Tiffeny Milbrett, Olympic Gold Medalist                       Soccer
    * Steve Sampson, Former Team USA Men's Head Coach          Soccer/Futebol
    * Laura Berg, Olympic Gold Medalist                             Softball
    * Lenny Krayzelburg, Olympic Gold Medalist                      Swimming
    * Dr. David Porter, USPTA Master Professional                   Tennis
    * Russ Rose, Penn State University Women's Volleyball Coach     Volleyball
    * Rulon Gardner, Olympic Gold Medalist                          Wrestling


    Upcoming 2009 Sports Ambassador Programs:

Youth Friendship Games

Student athletes travel to Austria or Holland and compete for one week in an Olympic-style experience with other students and coaches from around the world. Sports include soccer, bowling, tennis, swimming, volleyball, baseball, basketball and wrestling.



    * Austria Games July 4-5 through July 13-14
    * Holland Games July 17-26

Sports Leadership Academy

Student athletes travel to Australia, New Zealand or Fiji to participate in challenging outdoor activities and new sports. Groups have access to two of the highest-rated sports and health facilities in the world and receive training from skilled instructors.



    * Departure dates will operate June and July

Brazilian Futebol

Athletes train with experienced coaches and put their skills to the test against teams from Brazil. Students will visit and train at the famous Roque Jr. Centro de Futebol where they will learn traditional Brazilian soccer techniques.



    * Brazil July 13-28

Student athletes in grades 9-12 can also earn high school credit through the Washington School of World Studies (WSWS), a fully accredited education partner. Students in grades 9-12 are automatically enrolled in the high school elective course Sports Ambassador Physical Fitness. Athletes can also earn fully transferable high school credit through WSWS online courses.

Student athletes interested in learning more about People to People Sports Ambassador Programs can visit http://www.peopletopeople.com or call 877-787-2000.

About People to People Ambassador Programs

People to People Ambassador Programs is the most recognized and respected educational travel provider and has provided more than 400,000 citizens of the world the opportunity to promote peace through understanding. The Ambassador Programs include Citizen, Student, Sports and Leadership to promote international and domestic programs for professionals, students, athletes, and the leaders of tomorrow.

Participation in a People to People Ambassador Program contributes directly to personal success in a globalized world and fosters international friendships. Our hands on, unique, educational travel programs provide access to people and places beyond compare, and combine unique cultural experiences with personal interaction to create global impact.

The Ambassador Programs serve as the exclusive educational travel provider of People to People International (PTPI), the nonprofit, Kansas City-based organization founded by President Dwight D. Eisenhower to promote peace through understanding worldwide. PTPI and Ambassadors Group are united in their mission of bridging cultural and political borders through education and exchange.

About Ambassadors Group

Ambassadors Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: EPAX) is a socially conscious, education company located in Spokane, Washington. Ambassadors Group is the parent company of the Ambassador Programs as well as Book Rags, an educational research website, and oversees the Washington School of World Studies, an accredited travel study and distance learning school.

SOURCE Ambassadors Group, Inc.