Aug 16, 2012
The New York University men's basketball team is in Italy as the first squad to participate in TeamNYUGlobal: Education, Service and Sport, a new initiative that combines NYU's unique position as the Global Network University with the power of sport.
The Violets returned to campus on Saturday, August 4, to begin immersion lessons in Italian language and culture. After 10 days of instruction, the team departed for Italy on Tuesday, August 14, with stops in Rome, Florence, Venice, and Milan.
"I am excited that the NYU men's basketball team is piloting our Education, Service and Sport program in Italy," said Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs/Director of Athletics Christopher Bledsoe. "I'm confident that this pilot will serve as a unique model for future international travel featuring language and culture education, community service and international sport competition."
The men's basketball team's trip includes visits to the Colosseum and the Vatican and competition against Italian club teams. The athletes will also conduct a youth basketball clinic in Florence and will visit with children at the Dynamo Camp, an organization committed to comprehensive family support activities for children with serious medical issues, in the Tuscany region.
The Violets compete in Venice and Lake Como to round out the journey before returning to NYU New York for the fall semester of classes.
"From a basketball standpoint, it's a huge advantage for us to go overseas to play and get a head start on the season," said Carl Yaffe, a senior captain on the squad. "On a personal level, NYU has done so much for all of us that it will be great to give back and represent NYU abroad. Working with these kids will be an amazing experience."
To learn more about TeamNYUGlobal, click here. To follow the men's basketball team's journey to Italy, visit the TeamNYUGlobal Tumblr page and follow NYU Athletics on Twitter, Facebook and YouTube.
The men's basketball team's trip includes visits to the Colosseum and the Vatican and competition against Italian club teams. The athletes will also conduct a youth basketball clinic in Florence and will visit with children at the Dynamo Camp, an organization committed to comprehensive family support activities for children with serious medical issues, in the Tuscany region.
The Violets compete in Venice and Lake Como to round out the journey before returning to NYU New York for the fall semester of classes.
"From a basketball standpoint, it's a huge advantage for us to go overseas to play and get a head start on the season," said Carl Yaffe, a senior captain on the squad. "On a personal level, NYU has done so much for all of us that it will be great to give back and represent NYU abroad. Working with these kids will be an amazing experience."
To learn more about TeamNYUGlobal, click here. To follow the men's basketball team's journey to Italy, visit the TeamNYUGlobal Tumblr page and follow NYU Athletics on Twitter, Facebook and YouTube.