Bowling Green State University Athletics
Women's Basketball Falcons to Make Historic Trip to Cuba this Summer
April 11, 2016 | Women's Basketball
BGSU to take just the second foreign tour in program history
The Bowling Green State University women's basketball team will embark upon a truly unique experience this August, as the Falcons become the first women's basketball program in the country to both visit and play basketball games in Cuba. Head coach Jennifer Roos and her staff will take their team on an 11-day foreign tour to Cuba from August 9-17.
For more information or to join the Falcons on their trip, CLICK HERE
"Playing collegiate basketball at the Division-I level allows student-athletes opportunities for significant educational and athletic growth," said Roos. "Travelling to Cuba will afford this group a cultural growth that they will have never experienced. Also, I believe we will develop a strong sense of servant leadership from this trip. The growth that this team will have from this trip will impact our program and others positively for years to come."
The Falcons will depart Northwest Ohio for South Florida on August 9, and the travel party will head to Havana the next day. The trip will include three games against local teams, and also will include clinics for local schoolchildren and community-service events. While in Cuba, the Falcons will also participate in several team bonding experiences, including salsa dancing lessons and a tour of the US Embassy.
The trip is being funded largely with monies generated through game contracts against Power 5 conference opponents. Additional costs will be supplemented by fundraising efforts by the women's basketball program over the last few years.
The Falcons will spend the first portion of the trip in Havana, the nation's capital, before heading to Varadero for the remainder of the experience. The players and coaches will conduct clinics for kids, take part in various other community service programs and tour the nation.
Upon arrival in Havana, the team will check into their hotel, and after enjoying the first of many authentic Cuban meals, the travel party will go on a guided tour of downtown Havana and the Malecon.
The next three days are game days for the Falcons at the famed Havana Sports City. The days will start with a traditional shootaround in the morning, followed by a game each afternoon. In addition to the practice and games, the Falcons will also have the opportunity to take salsa dancing lessons and tour a cigar factory.
The day after the third game, the itinerary will feature certification in the salsa dance along with a youth clinic where the Falcons will not only teach and play basketball with the children, but also distribute gifts, sign autographs and pose for photos with the participants. At the conclusion of the clinic, BGSU will travel to Varadero, when they will stay two nights and host an additional youth clinic for the children of Mantazas.
The next day is scheduled as an off day for the team in the Melia and Varadero beach areas. Team members and those in the travel party will have the opportunity to explore parts of the city of Varadero and learn firsthand about the Cuban culture.
The Falcons will say farewell to Cuba the following day, with a flight back to Tampa before returning to the Midwest.
In addition to the 2016-17 returning players, per NCAA rules, the team's four incoming freshmen will be eligible to make the trip and participate in practices and games. The NCAA also allows 10 days of practices prior to a foreign trip.
"We will have one of the youngest teams in the conference next season," said Roos. "So, the additional practice time in the summer will prove to be beneficial to our program."
For more information or to join the Falcons on their trip, CLICK HERE
"Playing collegiate basketball at the Division-I level allows student-athletes opportunities for significant educational and athletic growth," said Roos. "Travelling to Cuba will afford this group a cultural growth that they will have never experienced. Also, I believe we will develop a strong sense of servant leadership from this trip. The growth that this team will have from this trip will impact our program and others positively for years to come."
The Falcons will depart Northwest Ohio for South Florida on August 9, and the travel party will head to Havana the next day. The trip will include three games against local teams, and also will include clinics for local schoolchildren and community-service events. While in Cuba, the Falcons will also participate in several team bonding experiences, including salsa dancing lessons and a tour of the US Embassy.
The trip is being funded largely with monies generated through game contracts against Power 5 conference opponents. Additional costs will be supplemented by fundraising efforts by the women's basketball program over the last few years.
The Falcons will spend the first portion of the trip in Havana, the nation's capital, before heading to Varadero for the remainder of the experience. The players and coaches will conduct clinics for kids, take part in various other community service programs and tour the nation.
Upon arrival in Havana, the team will check into their hotel, and after enjoying the first of many authentic Cuban meals, the travel party will go on a guided tour of downtown Havana and the Malecon.
The next three days are game days for the Falcons at the famed Havana Sports City. The days will start with a traditional shootaround in the morning, followed by a game each afternoon. In addition to the practice and games, the Falcons will also have the opportunity to take salsa dancing lessons and tour a cigar factory.
The day after the third game, the itinerary will feature certification in the salsa dance along with a youth clinic where the Falcons will not only teach and play basketball with the children, but also distribute gifts, sign autographs and pose for photos with the participants. At the conclusion of the clinic, BGSU will travel to Varadero, when they will stay two nights and host an additional youth clinic for the children of Mantazas.
The next day is scheduled as an off day for the team in the Melia and Varadero beach areas. Team members and those in the travel party will have the opportunity to explore parts of the city of Varadero and learn firsthand about the Cuban culture.
The Falcons will say farewell to Cuba the following day, with a flight back to Tampa before returning to the Midwest.
In addition to the 2016-17 returning players, per NCAA rules, the team's four incoming freshmen will be eligible to make the trip and participate in practices and games. The NCAA also allows 10 days of practices prior to a foreign trip.
"We will have one of the youngest teams in the conference next season," said Roos. "So, the additional practice time in the summer will prove to be beneficial to our program."
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