Comments from Coaches

Here are some of the things just a handful of coaches have said regarding their tour or tournament experience provided by Basketball Travelers, Inc. Note that three of these coaches have won four national championships in the season following their foreign tours. (Team names followed by * have won national championships following their tour.)

Eric Reveno, Portland Men
2009 Tour to Australia
“Our tour was just a tremendous experience from training camp to the Great Barrier Reef.  We had a blast and grew as a basketball team.”

Mike Divilbiss, Green Bay Women
2009 Tour to Greece
“I have been involved in college basketball coaching for 24 years and been to 8 national tournaments.  Our trip to Greece with Basketball Travelers is one of the best experiences I have ever been a part of.  Thanks, Nels!”

Rob Senderoff, Kent State Men
2009 Tour to Italy
“We just got back from our trip to Italy and our staff and players all want to thank you for an incredible experience!!! The trip was perfect.  The competition was very good (we went 3-1) and everything could not have gone smoother.  We all could not have been more pleased with the 10 days.  Thanks again!”

Tanya Haave, San Francisco Women
2009 Tour to Scandinavia
“On every level our trip to Scandinavia was an enormous success.  The cultural experience our players had was immeasurable.  Our team chemistry, already a strength in our program, improved to the point that our team feels like they are all truly sisters now!  Finally, from a playing standpoint, you could see our young team had an epiphany where the light bulb went on in terms of competing at a high level.  We could not have had a better experience!”

Elliot Bloom, Purdue Men
2008 Tour to Australia
“Our trip to Australia was great for our team.  The competition was tremendous and the outings in the country were fabulous for our guys.  This trip made us a better team on and off the court.”

Jesse Agel, Brown Men
2008 Tour to France & Switzerland
“You could not put a price tag on the value that our team recieved from this trip.  I would recommend Basketball Travelers to anyone for its professionalism and its preparedness and its follow-through.  I hope my team performs that well.”

Agnus Berenatto, Pittsburgh Women
2008 Tour to Rome & Greece
“This trip to Rome and Athens was easier taking 24 people for ten days than food-shopping at Giant Eagle.  A life-changing experience and we were blessed with great weather, sites, competition, each other and tremendous history.”

Tim Miles, Colorado State Men
2008 Tour to Vancouver, BC, Canada
“We feel the trip was highly beneficial.  Not only is Vancouver a beautiful city but the competition was good and the host was fantastic. We highly recommend this trip.”

Pam Borton, Minnesota Women
2008 Tour to Italy
“Our team was close before we left, but with this experience it took our team chemistry to another level.  This is one of the best trips I’ve ever taken.”

Van Chancellor, LSU Women
2008 Tour to Vancouver, Canada
“With 8 freshmen, this trip was very valuable for practice together as well as team duilding!  Basketball Travelers does a great job!”

J.P. Piper, Nicholls State Men
2008 Tour to Australia
“I believe we came closer together as a group and grew up some as a basketball team.  It was nice to see the guys pulling for one another.  We have created some excitement about next year.”

Anthony Grant , Virginia Commonwealth Men
2008 Tour to Bahamas
“The trip was good for us to find out about our team and was also somewhat of a reward for our guys for the hard work they put in for 10 days, as well as their workouts during the summer.”

Doug Wojcik, Tulsa Men
2008 Tour to Vancouver, BC, Canada
“Our tour to Vancouver was exceptional.  We had ten practices, played three games against well-coached teams, and had the opportunity to sightsee and relax all within 48 hours.  It was not too long and yet long enough to accomplish great things with a great group of people.”

Chris Lowery, Southern Illinois Men
2008 Tour to Windsor, Ontario, Canada
“This tour was exactly what we needed to jump start our season.”

Oliver Purnell , Clemson Men
2007 Tour to Bahamas
“The trip to the Bahamas was a huge success for our program!  We achieved everything we set out to accomplish including practice time, team-building, and live game experience for our younger players.  It was a step in the right direction for our team!”

Lisa Bluder , Iowa Women
2007 Tour to Greece
“Our tour to Greece was spectacular!  We had a great mix of highly competitive basketball, tours of amazing historical sights and relaxing time to bond with our team.  I know that the experience will help us next year in terms of improving our play and the chemistry that was developed among players and coaches.”

Steve Alford , New Mexico Men
2007 Tour to Bahamas
“We really look forward to every four years going on a big time trip with Basketball Travelers.  The trip is first class all the way and a highlight to our players’ college experience. ”

Cindy Fisher , San Diego Women
2007 Tour to Australia
“The staff at Basketball Travelers were so organized and made our trip so enjoyable and relaxing that we were able to really focus on coming together as a team.  They worried about the details and worried about the games and having a great time.”

Ben Jacobson, Northern Iowa Men
2007 Tour to Bangkok, Taiwan (World University Games)
“Basketball Travelers went above and beyond in making our trip to Thailand an awesome experience.  The World University Games provided great competition which helped our team improve this summer.  We look forward to seeing the benefits this season!”

Lorenzo Romar , University of Washington Men
2007 Tour to Greece
“Basketball Travelers did a tremendous job with our tour.  Our team chemistry has gone up a level as a result of this trip.”

Ritchie McKay , Liberty Men
2007 Labor Day Tour to Niagara Falls, Canada
“Basketball Travelers is without question the best in the business.  Not only are they organized and skilled at servicing programs but they also have great integrity.  We will be back again and again.”

Darin Spence , New Mexico State Women
2007 Labor Day Tour to Vancouver, BC
“This experience will last a lifetime.  We grew as people, as teammates and as a team.  It came at the right time for us.  I believe it would help any program out there. ”

Amber Shirey, Arkansas Women
2007 Labor Day Tour to Vancouver, BC
“We loved our Labor Day tour to Canada with Basketball Travelers.  It was a perfect fit into our schedule and will most certainly impact our first season at Arkansas.  Everything about the experience was first class.”

Dave Rose, BYU Men
2007 Tour to France
“It was great seeing Paris, the French Riviera and Monaco but the best part of the trip was playing games and getting guys in competition and meeting other coaches and players.”

Tricia Binford , Montana State University Women
2007 Tour to Bahamas
“What a jumpstart into our upcoming season.  When most teams are winding down, an international tour just ignites and re-energizes your team.  We are more motivated, united, and excited about our program than ever!”

Matt Kilcullen, Jr., North Florida
2007 Labor Day Tour to Niagara Falls
“Our tour to Canada was outstanding from beginning to end and will help our team progress tremendously in our transition to Division I. ”

Gary Blair, Texas A&M Women
2006 Tour to France & Switzerland
“There is only one company in the travel business that we will deal with and that is Basketball Travelers. They go the extra mile with the little things that make the trip rewarding for the players and the fans.”

Travis Ford, UMASS Men
2006 Tour to Bahamas
“Basketball Travelers runs a 1st class program. Great organization, hospitality and service to our needs!”

Ardie McInelly, Air Force Academy Women
2006 Trip to Canada
“The time our players spent together, away from the Academy and their busy lives, provided more team-building than we can every try to do during the cycle of a basketball season. They learned so much about one another and their coaches, just hanging out on the busses and enjoying all the wonderful activities this trip had to offer. This trip has already shown us its benefits in our pre-season workouts!”

Mark Turgeon, Wichita State Men
2006 Tour to Canada
“Our trip to Vancouver was really eventful. Basketball Travelers did an outstanding job of being organized. My team got a lot out of the trip, both basketball wise and the social experience.”

Skip Prosser, Wake Forest Men
2006 Tour to Bahamas
“I would recommend the tour to everyone. A terrific opportunity to learn a great deal about our team in a brief period of time.”

Tony Ingle, Kennesaw State Men
2006 Tour to Bahamas
“We had a great time and wish we could go every year! The pre-trip practice was nice, the games were competitive and Basketball Travelers’ personal and professional touch is unmatched. A very pleasurable experience!”

Maria Fantanarosa, Miami-Ohio Women
2006 Trip to Italy
“This was our second trip with Basketball Travelers and it far exceeded my high expectations! We are all still on a high from what was truly an experience of a lifetime.”

Mark Fox, Nevada Men
2005 Trip to Italy
“Our team chemistry was strong before the trip, but dropping them off in a non-English speaking country helped it become even stronger. Like every coach, I too feel the practices and games will prove to be a great benefit. Basketball Travelers did a first-class job!”

Marsha Sharp, Texas Tech Women
2005 Trip to Australia
“It was a great experience for all of us. We became a stronger and more united group. Australia should be a springboard for the coming season.”

Kirk Speraw, University of Central Florida Men
2005 Trip to France, Holland, Belgium
“Basketball Travelers gave us another great tour of Europe. As always they were organized and efficient.”

Darrin Horn, Head Coach, Western Kentucky University Men
2005 Trip to Spain
“The success we have experienced this season began last summer in Spain. Our trip was a great experience both in preparing us for the upcoming season and in giving our young men a unique opportunity to visit a foreign country. The tour was extremely well-planned and organized and it exceeded my expectations.”

Sue Semrau, Florida State Women
2005 Trip to Italy
“Thanks to all of you for a wonderful trip to Italy. Our time together surpassed all our expectations! It was due, in large part, to your tireless efforts and passion for excellence.”

Don Maestri, Troy Men
2005 Labor Day Trip to Nassau, Bahamas
“The trip was great, too bad I can’t use the games on my resume! Thanks for everything!”

Tim O’Shea, Ohio Men
2005 Trip to Belgium and Holland
“Thanks to everyone at Basketball Travelers for our recent trip to Holland and Belgium. Every aspect of this trip leaves me with a great feeling about your organization. From our wonderful bus driver and host, Henri and Bob, to the excellent choice of hotels, great competition, and well-planned sightseeing, every aspect of our trip was executed to perfection. I do not know what the coming season will bring – I am however confident that our experience with Basketball Travelers has made us better.”

Bobby Braswell, Cal-State Northridge Men
2005 Labor Day Trip to Vancouver, BC, Canada
“Our trip and experience in Vancouver provided a tremendous opportunity for not only our newcomers, but our veteran players as well to receive an early experience of Division I basketball.”

Jim Jabir, Dayton Women
2005 Trip to Czech, Slovak, Austria
“Our tour went beyond any of our expectations. It was exactly what we wanted and needed.”

Dana Eikenberg, Southern Illinois Women
2005 Trip to Ontario, Canada
“Our trip gave us the opportunity to experience practice preparation, travel and game preparation and competition all before October 15th. It gave us the opportunity to make adjustments both on and off the court. It truly helped our young players release nerves and understand the speed of Division I basketball.”

Susan Walvius, South Carolina Women
2005 Trip to Czech, Hungary, Austria, Croatia
“I am excited about this season. I saw tremendous growth individually both on and off the court. I feel that the team chemistry is the best it’s ever been.”

Jody Conradt, Texas Women
2004 Labor Day Tour to Vancouver, Canada
“I told our team that the chance to take this trip to Vancouver (over Labor Day) had great significance. Under NCAA rules, you get 10 practice days prior to a foreign trip. This gives us a chance to come together as a team in August and September and work on things. It also allows our newcomers to get a chance to play. We are looking at this trip as an excellent team-building opportunity. Vancouver is a beautiful city, and we had great food, great shopping, and a great hotel situated right on the water. This trip was a real plus for us in terms of the game of basketball and in terms of it being a great team-bonding experience.”

Ron Verlin, Pacific Men
2004 Trip to Italy
“We have been on three trips with Basketball Travelers. All three trips have been a tremendous experience. I feel these experiences have helped us develop our team and have lead to our current success.”

Kay Yow, North Carolina State Women
2004 Trip to Italy, Greece
“What a fun and educational experience we all received. I am still receiving pictures from our fans and they all continue to rave about the great time they had. Thanks for helping to make our trip so great!”

Sherri Coale, Oklahoma Women
2004 Trip to France
“Our trip was an amazing experience! While the on-the-court minutes will obviously prove advantageous for us in the upcoming season, we may ultimately benefit most from the ancillary circumstances that our players were forced to handle. We learned tolerance, flexibility, selflessness and adaptability. You learn a lot about yourself and your teammates when you’re piled up together for 12 straight days. We have memories for a lifetime and we became better people and better teammates in the process.”

Tricia Sacca-Fabbri, Quinnipiac Women
2004 Trip to Ireland & Portugal
“The trip was far above my expectations. I always heard other coaches speak about how it was an incredible bonding experience for their team . . . now I too am a believer. You can’t possibly put it into words!!”

Beth Dunkenberger, Virginia Tech Women
2004 Trip to Australia
“Our trip to Australia with Basketball Travelers was an incredible experience. The opportunity for our new coaching staff to work with the team was invaluable. The Great Barrier Reef, Surfer’s Paradise, kangaroos & koala bears . . . all things we’ll never forget!”

Richard Morgan, Hampton Men
2004 Trip to Vancouver, Canada
“We felt that the tour was great for our team-building experience and we found out that Vancouver is a great place, a hidden gem.”

Lindsay Gottlieb, Richmond Women
2004 Trip to Spain & Portugal
“Everyone was so eager for this trip, yet it still managed to EXCEED expectations. The best part was the way the trip was laid out: we did city things, beach things, and “medieval walled city” things – it was always varied and interesting with each experience. It allowed our team to bond in a different way. The already evident chemistry will hopefully be a factor for us this season.”

Loyola Marymount Men
2004 Trip to France & Italy
“The two main things we wanted to accomplish were to get better on the court and closer off the court. I think because of the games, ten days of practice, etc. we definitely improved on the court. As for the team bonding off the court we felt a major step was taken for our team next year.”

Sherri Murrell, WSU Women
2004 Trip to Italy
“This tour far exceeded my expectations. The sites, people, food and competition were all great.  Every night was like Christmas Eve to me. This country bleeds character and history through its artwork and architecture. This trip has done so much for all of us on the court and off. Gratzie!”

Tara VanDerveer, Stanford Women
2003 Trip to Italy
“We had a fabulous trip. A coach is welcome to call me and I’ll only have superlatives to tell them!”

Steve Alford, Iowa Men
2003 Trip to Australia
“One of the best tours I have been on. Great people to work with. We couldn’t be happier with how our foreign trip was organized. I highly recommend Basketball Travelers.”

Lisa Bluder, Iowa Women
2003 Trip to Italy
“This trip exceeded my expectations! Our team chemistry was strengthened even more and this will pay dividends during our season.”

Joe Scott, Air Force Men
2003 Trip to Sweden and Denmark
“The practices in preparation for our trip, combined with the six games played in Europe, gave our players and staff the opportunity to learn and grow immensely in a short amount of time. The trip was a great success and a once-in-a-lifetime experience for the players.” Editor’s note: In the season following their tour, Air Force had the most successful season of any in academy history, winning the Mountain West Conference for the first time.

Craig Jackson, Pacific Women
2003 Trip to Scandinavia
“Our tour was well-organized, informative and very competitive. Our team had an outstanding experience.”

Brad Soderberg, Saint Louis Men
2002 Trip to France and Spain
“I have taken several “team trips” to Europe during my career. Our trip to Spain and France in August 2002 with Basketball Travelers was by far the best. Their attention to detail, professionalism and willingness to handle special requests set them apart. If we are fortunate enough to make another international trip I will definitely call Basketball Travelers to handle all the details. They did a fantastic job!”

Ohio State Women
2002 Trip to France & Switzerland
“The trip was a great way to establish strong relationships while learning, growing and getting better on the court. But most importantly, we had FUN! Basketball Travelers provided us with an experience that we won’t soon forget. They worked hard from every angle to unable us to focus on our goals.”

Tommy Amaker, Michigan
2002 Paradise Jam, U.S. Virgin Islands
“Our trip to the Virgin Islands was a great experience both in preparing us for the upcoming season, and in giving our young men a unique cultural experience that will last them a lifetime. The tournament was professionally run, and I would highly recommend Basketball Travelers to all coaches looking for a great basketball experience.”

Jack Powers, Executive Director,
National Invitation Tournament NIT All-Stars
Annual Foreign Tours, 2001-present
“The NIT All Stars have been traveling abroad for 22 years and our experience this past August was a very memorable one. Basketball Travelers is a well-organized group that puts on a first class trip from start to finish. It is something that the student athletes and the NIT family will remember for quite some time.”

Marsha Sharpe, Texas Tech
2000 Paradise Jam, U.S. Virgin Islands
“The Paradise Jam is by far the best tournament that the Lady Raiders have ever participated in. The Basketball Travelers staff was well-organized and attentive to our every need. The hotel and the weather were both outstanding. The tournament experience gave our team an excellent opportunity to bond and set the tone for our season.”

Sue Semrau, Florida State
2000 France & Switzerland Tour
“The experience we gained on and off the basketball court through our European tour this summer was very instrumental in the success of our team this season. The chance to play against international competition as well as the opportunity to gain an understanding of European culture allowed us to develop a wonderful sense of team unity and trust. It was an unforgettable adventure and the memories will remain with us forever.”

Al Skinner, Boston College
2000 France & Switzerland Tour
“Going on the summer trip builds camaraderie and allows players to find out more about each other personally. The trip has contributed greatly to this season’s success (ranked as high as 9th in the AP poll). It gave our guys the chance to see what their teammates could do instead of what they could not do.”

Pat Summit, Tennessee
1999 Trip to France & Switzerland
“This was the most organized, most enjoyable, and by far the best tour ever for our program. Count us in for another tour four years from now.” (Note: Tennessee Women challenged Connecticut for the national championship the year following their 1999 summer foreign tour.)

Jim Calhoun, Connecticut*
1998 Trip to Britain & Israel
“The trip went exceptionally well. Basketball Travelers’ competency and well-thought-out plans made this trip one of the better trips we have ever done.” (Note: Connecticut Men won their first national championship following their summer tour.)

Lon Kruger, (formerly at Illinois)
1999 Illinois Men’s Trip to Australia
“I cannot imagine a trip coming at a better time or being more productive than our two weeks in Australia this spring. The (undefeated) record is far more insignificant than the progress that we made as a group and individually.”

Geno Auriemma, Connecticut*
1999 Trip to France, Belgium & Italy
“…The tour gave us a great team-building experience and the game competition and sightseeing were excellent. We are hoping that last summer’s trip will translate into a national title as it did in 1995.” (Note: Connecticut did win their 2nd national championship following their 1999 summer foreign tour.)

Carolyn Peck, Univ. Florida (formerly at Purdue)*
1998 Purdue Trip to France & Switzerland
“Basketball Travelers is a great way to take your team to see other parts of the world. Our European tour far surpassed any expectations we had prior to arriving in Paris. The attention to detail and customizing of the whole trip is incredible.” (Note: Purdue Women won their first national championship following their 1998 summer foreign tour.)

Ceal Barry, Colorado
1999 Trip to France & Switzerland
“We enjoyed our trip so much… I’m going to my A.D.’s office tomorrow to get his OK for another trip in four years!”