Coach of inspirational soccer team of refugees to speak at UF

November 15, 2011

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Luma Mufleh, subject of a book University of Florida freshmen were asked to read this year, will speak at 7:30 p.m. Thursday in the Reitz Student Union Grand Ballroom.

Mufleh, coach of the Fugees Soccer Team and the subject of “Outcasts United,” will speak about how teamwork can change the world.

Mufleh and her team, composed of refugee adolescents from across the world, gained attention in “Outcasts United.” The book was this year’s selection for the Common Reading Program, which provides UF’s incoming first-year students with a common intellectual experience by requiring them to read the same text.

“Outcasts United,” by Warren St. John, tells the story of the soccer team, based in a small town in Georgia, and its triumph over adversity and the power of teamwork.

An immigrant herself, Mufleh understands the needs of her team. She has pursued several other opportunities to improve her community, including the establishment of an academy for immigrants and refugees. In addition to her continued work with refugee youth, Mufleh also travels the nation sharing the story of the Fugees.

The event is hosted by the Common Reading Program, in partnership with the UF Office of Sustainability.

The event is free and open to the public. For more information, please contact New Student and Family Programs at 352-392-1261 or Lacie Silcox at lacies@dso.ufl.edu.