SFA Set for Foreign Tour to Spain
7/23/2019 6:26:00 PM | Men's Basketball
'Jacks' 10-day European excursion sends them to three cities across Spain
NACOGDOCHES, Texas - After making its international playing debut last season by heading to Belfast, Northern Ireland, for the 2018 Basketball Hall of Fame Belfast Classic, the SFA men's basketball team will again be crossing the Atlantic for an international excursion.
From August 8-17, the 'Jacks are headed to Spain and will visit the cities of Madrid, Zaragoza and Barcelona. While there, the team is set to play four games against various Spanish teams from around the country.
"We are excited to take our program abroad this August," commented fourth-year SFA head coach Kyle Keller. "Competing against international competition for four games, learning about and immersing ourselves in the Spanish culture from an educational standpoint are things our student athletes have only dreamed of. I am excited to watch our nine new players and four returners grow and bond throughout these next few weeks."
By NCAA rules, college basketball programs are allowed to take an international trip once every four years. Many other programs from around the nation have taken advantage of this rule and for the first time the 'Jacks will be doing so as well.
"Personally this is the fourth team I have had the pleasure of experiencing a a summer foreign tour with," Keller continued. "Each of the previous three times I have been involved in an experience like this, tremendous results during the regular season and postseason have followed. Our guys have worked really hard since arriving to Nacogdoches in June. In that time they have put in a lot of work in the weight room and with our staff for individual skill instruction. This trip is a culmination of our summer workouts and I'm fired up to put everything together on an international stage with this group that has been very fun to be around."
"Personally this is the fourth team I have had the pleasure of experiencing a a summer foreign tour with," Keller continued. "Each of the previous three times I have been involved in an experience like this, tremendous results during the regular season and postseason have followed. Our guys have worked really hard since arriving to Nacogdoches in June. In that time they have put in a lot of work in the weight room and with our staff for individual skill instruction. This trip is a culmination of our summer workouts and I'm fired up to put everything together on an international stage with this group that has been very fun to be around."
While in Spain, the 'Jacks will have the opportunity to see some impressive historical landmarks in each of the three cities that will stop at. While in Madrid the team will take in Plaza Mayor, Puerta del Sol, Palacio Real, The Prado Museum, the Palacio de Cristal, El Rastro and will visit Santiago Bernabéu Stadium - the home of Real Madrid.
During their time in Barcelona, the 'Jacks have another array of sights to visit including Las Ramblas, La Placa Real, Sagrada Familia, Montjuic Castle, the Picasso Museum, the Olympic Stadium and Olympic Village which were used in the 1992 Summer Olympics as well as some beaches in the city.
When it comes to the games, the 'Jacks' first one will take place at 6:00 p.m. local time (11:00 a.m. CT) in Madrid against the Madrid All-Stars. On August 12, SFA faces CASVI at 6:00 p.m. local time (11:00 a.m. CT) before playing its final two games in Barcelona. At 7:00 p.m. local time (Noon CT) on August 14 the 'Jacks take on the Barcelona All-Stars before wrapping up their four-game slate on August 15 at 7:00 p.m. local time (Noon CT) against Catalunya Select.
For complete coverage of SFA's journey to Spain, make sure to visit SFAJacks.com - the official home of SFA Athletics - and follow the 'Jacks on Facebook (SFA Men's Basketball), Twitter (@SFA_MBB) and Instagram (@SFA_Athletics).
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