The More the Merrier

by Cheryl Dozier

Two years ago I was asked to coach a World Sports Exchange youth team. The World Sports Exchange invites high school kids from all over the country to come together, and they go over to Europe and play in tournaments. We had an absolutely wonderful time. The company that puts this whole thing together did a phenomenal job.

So when Bob Arkeilpane gave UB women's basketball the opportunity to go to Europe in summer 2000, I used that company again. We had decided to go for ten days, five in Spain and five in Paris. We were supposed to play five games, but we ended playing four - one of the games in Paris fell through. It was just a wonderful opportunity, obviously, and I thank the administration as much as I possibly can because they gave us the opportunity.

As a basketball coach you have to pick and choose when you take these trips. The NCAA will allow you to do it once every four years. That's the rule. The way I looked at it was that you need to take your team when you think it's the most beneficial for them. I felt that in 2000, with nine players returning, and four seniors, this was going to be a huge year for us.

You can't take your new kids, your freshmen or your incoming transfers, so we took nine kids. From a coach's viewpoint, we had a great bonding experience. I think it was good for the players to go over there.

We actually had 32 people travel with us, because they put together a package deal for boosters - we had our local supporters, Rick Friend and Marshall Wood and his wife, travel with us - and for family. I sent out fliers saying the more the merrier. My mother and some of the kids' moms and dads went. It was wonderful to bring other people who were really big supporters, not just of the kids but of UB's program in general.