READING, Pa. – In just a few short weeks, the Albright men's basketball team will be taking a trip of a lifetime as head coach
Rick Ferry, will take 11 players on a foreign tour of Italy. Included in this European trip will be four games against Italian clubs, as well as stops in some of the most recognizable and famous destinations in the entire world.
“We have a high level of excitement surrounding our trip to Italy. We will have many educational opportunities touring the great sites in Rome, Tuscany and Venice. Additionally, we get to play against some top European basketball talent and will have nine days of intense team-building. This trip is an once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for our players and we look at this a springboard to a successful season,” said Ferry.
The NCAA mandates that a team is allowed to take one trip out of the United States once every three years. No stranger to traveling to Europe, coach Ferry brought his 2007 squad to Spain and his 2004 team to England and Ireland. This year's foreign tour will be a total of nine days. During that time Albright will face four different teams, and travel across some of the most beautiful countryside in the world.
The foreign tour will begin on Thursday, August 18 when they depart for Milan, Italy from JFK International Airport in New York City. After the seven hour flight, the team will arrive in Milan, where they will then travel by private motor-coach to Padua for the second day of their trip. On the third day, the red and white will spend time in the legendary city of Venice. They will experience the city of canals at its fullest, while also preparing to face their first opponent in All-Star Lombardy Region team in Lake Como.
Day four will have the Lions traveling to the Tuscan hill town of Montecatini. After another exciting day of sightseeing, the red and white will travel to Florence. On top of seeing things such as the Cathedral, the Baptistry, Signoria Square, and the Ponte Veccio, the Lions will also face their second opponent in AICS Romagna Basket in Forli City.
The Lions will spend their final three days in the eternal city of Rome. On their way to the holy city, the Lions will stop off at the hillside village of Orvieto. Once they arrive in Rome, they will be able to take in one of the greatest tourist destinations on the planet. During their stay the red and white will visit such places as St. Peter's Square, the Vatican Museum, and the Sistine Chapel. They will also take on ABC Castelfiorentino and Anagni Basket during their three-day stay.
The Lions will depart for New York on the ninth and final day of their trip, bringing back with them memories that will last a lifetime.
2011 Men's Basketball Foreign Tour to Italy
Day 1 (8/18) – Depart from JFK International Airport
Day 2 (8/19) – Arrive in Milan – Proceed to Padua
Day 3 (8/20) – Depart for Venice – Face All Star Lombardy Region Team
Day 4 (8/21) – Travel to Montecatini
Day 5 (8/22) – Spend a day in Florence – Face AICS Romagna Basket
Day 6 (8/23) – Stop off in Orvieto before arriving in Rome
Day 7 (8/24) – Tour Rome – Face ABC Castelfiorentino
Day 8 (8/25) – Continue to take in the sights in Rome – Face Anagni Basket
Day 9 (8/26) – Depart for JFK International Airport
2011 Foreign Tour Roster
Zach Benjamin
Randall Castleberry
Mark Christian
Derek Hall
Shane Irwin
Kyle Jordan
Sam Marrella
Cornell Mickens
Reuel Moore
Tom Paul
Pedro Perez
