LEXINGTON -- Washington & Lee's football team plans to travel France to play against a semi-pro team in June 2009.

Coach Frank Miriello said the Division III team will use the travel abroad and game against the Paris Flash to build team cohesion while also learning about American, French and European history to earn course credit.

The school said the nine-day trip also will include visits to Paris, the cemeteries at the D-Day beaches and countryside mansions.

Washington & Lee has begun fundraising efforts to help pay for the trip.

-- The Associated Press