ASHLAND — If it were just about football, $105,000 may not be worth it.

If it were about giving 50 high school students — plus coaches and chaperones — the cultural experience of a lifetime in a far away land, the money is certainly worth it.

That’s the sentiment of Robert Bruce and the Japan Fund-raising Steering Committee of parents trying to send the Ashland High football team to Japan this July for a 10-day cultural immersion and a play date in the Pacific Rim Bowl against the Osaka All-Stars.

The committee and players have raised about $22,000 so far, according to Bruce, who heads the committee. They’re mapping out a series of fund-raisers, beginning with a Texas Hold ‘Em poker tournament at 2 p.m. Jan. 30 at the Standing Stone Brewery.

Entry into the poker tournament requires a $25 donation. Players will use fake money, and prizes will be given to the top four placers.

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Perhaps the pinnacle of the fund-raising effort comes March 30, when the Tony award-winning musical "Ain’t Misbehaving" will perform one show in Ashland at the Mountain Avenue Theater. Headlining the event will be Vivian Jett of the original Broadway cast.

In Japan, the Oregonians will stay with host families, visit Hiroshima and the Peace Memorial, ride the bullet train, visit ancient shrine sites dating to the 11th century and attend a weekend Japanese cultural festival.

It’s an experience students do not forget.

"As I retired from this program, I got lots of e-mails and letters from former student-athletes who remembered the trip," says former Ashland head football coach and athletic director Jim Nagel, adding the travelers came to appreciate the trip more as the years passed.

Nagel started the cultural exchange in the mid-1980s. A team from a Japanese university came to play the Southern Oregon University team. During their stay, Japanese officials visited Nagel to see if they could undergo a similar exchange at the high school level.

The tradition has continued since 1988, even for Nagel, who stepped down as athletic director last June. He’ll go to Japan as an adviser and work out logistics for travel and accommodations. The team has not played in Japan since 2001. The exchange occurs every other season.

"They asked me to help. Since (former coach David) Coldiron resigned, there is no one else on the staff with relationships and connections I have," says Nagel.

The Ashland Youth Activities levy does not pay for any of the trip, which is funded by donations and fund-raisers.

"We are looking for any additional support we can get," says Bruce.

Community members interested in donating time or resources can contact the Ashland High Athletic Department at 482-2377.