IOWA CITY, Iowa -- University of Iowa cross country runner Michael Hart is used to pushing forward for miles and miles, but prior to the summer of 2015, the junior backed himself into an opportunity of a lifetime.
With a little encouragement from a friend, Hart attended an academic services meeting and was introduced to the Coach for College program, a civic engagement opportunity funded by the UI Athletics Department that sends student-athletes abroad to teach children valuable life skills centered on sports.
"One of my friends on the swimming and diving team told me to come to a meeting last year with an open mind," Hart said.