The Nebraska Wesleyan University men’s basketball team will embark on its first international tour.
The team leaves August 10 for a 10-day trip to Estonia where they will play three games against Rakvere Tarvas, Tartu Rock, and BC Paru.
“I believe there is a great advantage to extra practices and games throughout the summer,” said Prairie Wolves Coach Cam Schuknecht. “We get time on the floor and time together as a team that we wouldn’t normally get.”
NCAA allows schools to take international team trips once every three years. The team has practiced since August 1 to prepare for competition in Estonia. All returning NWU players will make the trip.
In 2008, Nebraska Wesleyan established a direct exchange relationship with the University of Tartu, Estonia’s premier institution. Four NWU students study there each semester as part of the sister school agreement. In addition, the University Choir recently wrapped up an international tour to Tartu and Tallinn where they performed for large audiences; and this academic year NWU history professor Megan Winchell will teach at the University of Tartu thanks to a Fulbright Scholarship.
Estonia is a state in the Baltic region of northern Europe and is part of the former USSR.
In addition to the basketball games, the Prairie Wolves will have time for sightseeing. The team will spend time in Tallinn, Helsinki, Rakvere, Tartu and Parnu. They will visit Old Town and the Estonia Museum in Tallinn, take in a ski resort and tree climbing in Tartu and see Beach Park in Parnu.
“This trip allows our team the opportunity to compete against athletes from another country, while learning about and experiencing the cultures, customs and history of Estonia,” Schuknecht added. “The memories of this trip will last a lifetime.”
One player on the current NWU roster, sophomore center Sass Karemae, will return to his native homeland. Karemae has been a part of the NWU basketball team for the past two seasons.
The women’s basketball team is scheduled to take a similar trip to Estonia next summer.
The team will blog about their experience from Estonia. Follow the team blog here.