DAY 9: PARIS ONCE MORE
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here for photos from today
Friday, August 17 –
Today was our last full day in France before we depart for New
Jersey tomorrow morning. It also was Michael Wise’s birthday! As you
might be able to guess from reading our blogs, we did not sit around
and wait for the day to pass. We headed right into Paris after the
long bus ride from Bordeaux and saw more of the city and its famous
landmarks. Junior forward Tyrone Royster will give you his
perspective in our final blog.
This trip has provided the team and its traveling companions a rare
and invaluable opportunity to see another part of the world and
create memories that will last a lifetime. I know I will never
forget our first day in Paris; our new friends with the team in
Blois; the beautiful city of Bordeaux, running in downtown Bordeaux
and along the river with Adam Sabree’s father, Eric; winning the
game in Doazit; and my first European soccer match, rain and all.
But most memorable of all, next to watching the farmer force feed
the duck in Doazit, was seeing this amazing country through the eyes
of 11 bewildered yet awed young men who each will return to Caldwell
College with a better understanding of the world they live in. I
hope you’ve enjoyed reading the blogs. See you back in the States! –
Matt McLagan, Sports Information Director
 Tyrone
Royster’s Blog - Today we returned back to our starting point
Paris, France, by the longest bus ride of our trip by far. To
pass the time on this bus ride we slept instead of the tattoo or
pillow fights which often got us in trouble. When we finally arrived
in Paris this afternoon we checked in and relaxed for an hour and a
half before we started on our last sight seeing expedition around
the city. We began our tour riding a subway that brought us right to
the front of the Arch de Triomphe. The Arch de Triomphe isn’t one of
the seven world wonders but is a major piece of history to Europe
and the rest of the world. It is a monument for all the great
battles that stretched from the French Revolution to World War I.
The Arch de Triomphe was used as a sign of victory for war during
that time period. When an area was conquered or a war was won the
winning side would march through the arch as a sign of victory. Our
very own Sister Michel’s father marched through the Arch de Triomphe
during the First World War. After we saw and took a couple of photos
in front of this piece of history we went on the hunt for some food.
After another 400 trains we made our way to Saint-Michel again to
eat where we had the best meal of our trip from a player’s point of
view – we had the most delicious Gyros and fries we had ever had. We
then had a few free minutes apart from the group and we decided it
was time to get souvenirs for loved ones. Finally, after the free
time we walked a few blocks to get to the famous Notre Dame church
where we spent a couple of minutes posing for the camera and taking
in the atmosphere before we caught our last subway ride back to the
hotel to call it a day.
In conclusion, I would just like to say on behalf on my teammates
and I that we are deeply grateful for the chance to experience
something so monumental and would like to thank everybody who made
this trip possible at Caldwell College. Also we all would like to
thank Andre Vatin for helping us move comfortably through the
country and Jean “The Transporter” bus driver for helping us arrive
everywhere we needed to be on time and in style. This was something
we all will remember for the rest of our lives. – Junior forward
Tyrone Royster, Caldwell College
DAY 8: LAST GAME BEFORE HEADING HOME
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here for photos from today
Thursday, August 16, 2007 -
We had a bit of time to further explore our surroundings in Bordeaux
before we headed to the southernmost point on our journey, Bayonne.
We were able to pick up souvenirs from the soccer team we saw last
night, and could check out the latest in French fashion at Hermés
and Chanel. Unfortunately it rained when we stopped for a lunch
break, but we were able to see the European side of the Atlantic,
which was a neat experience. After lunch, we got back on the bus to
head to the last game on the Cougars' schedule. Here is sophomore
forward Matt Cohen’s take on today. - Kristen Koehler, Executive
Director of Development
 Matt
Cohen’s Blog – Today we left Bordeaux and took off to travel to
Bayonne. Before we left for Bayonne, a few of the players and I took
some time to walk through the city. The city of Bordeaux is
beautiful with all of the old buildings and shops. It was one of the
best things we did in the city. On the way to Bayonne, a couple of
the guys and I were having a bubble gum tattoo war on the bus. When
we finally arrived in Bayonne, we stopped for a pregame meal. We
stopped at this shack down by the beach to eat some cheese steaks
and pizza. The only thing that was wrong about that was it was
outside and it was raining hard. When we arrived at the stadium, we
went and got changed in the locker room. During the game we fought
back and fourth. At halftime the score was 33-30 in favor of the
other team. Even though we were not playing up to par, we were still
right there. Our defense in the second half was a lot better than it
was in the first half. We got off to a bad start in the second half
on offense. We did not shoot well from the field, and also we did
not shoot well from the foul line. The final score of the game was
62-45. We gave it our all, but just came up short at the end.
Our trip in France is almost over. We only have two more days and a
lot of traveling ahead. We have a six hour bus ride back up to Paris
where we will stay one day and tour the city one last time before we
come back to the states. – Sophomore forward Matt Cohen, Caldwell
College
 Aug.
16, 2007 - The Caldwell College men’s basketball team came up short in
its final exhibition game in France, losing 62-45 to Bayonne-Urcuit at the
Palais des Sports de Lauga. The defeat ends the Cougars’ trip to France with
a 1-3 record. Senior guard Michael Wise (Whitesboro, NJ/Middle
Township) scored a team-best 13 points for Caldwell. (more)
DAY 7: LE MATCH DE FOOTBALL
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from today
Wednesday, August 15 - After a late night
on Tuesday, the team boarded the bus and traveled east of Bordeaux
to visit a small vineyard and a farm where they distill pears into a
liqueur. The weather remained hot and humid during the day, but rain
cooled things off before sunset. The rain helped with the
temperature, but affected our evening plans of taking in a soccer
match between Bordeaux and Le Mans. It did not, however, dampen our
spirits, as we all enjoyed watching the game from about 10 rows up
from the field. Here’s Manny Perez’s view of the day’s travels in
the Cougars’ latest blog from France.
 Manny
Perez’s Blog – Today we took another bus ride to visit another
vineyard. This vineyard was on the opposite side of the Geronde
River than the one we visited on Monday. Even though they aren’t
that far apart, the conditions are different, and they produce
different types of wine. This one, called Chateau Bois Beaulieu,
makes only red wines. They also raise horses, which they use for
their logo and for some of the names of their wines. Then we went to
a nearby restaurant right on the Geronde River. I think this was the
best restaurant we’ve been to since we landed in Paris. We had duck,
chicken, French fries and pasta, and everyone had their fill. We
also met the bus driver’s family there, since they live in the same
area. After lunch, we went to a distillery, which was very
interesting because they used pears to make their alcohol. They use
just pears, no artificial ingredients, to make their liqueur. The
process they use is the same process the vineyards use to make
wines, expect they use pears instead of grapes. They grow their own
pears on the farm, and we were able to try them. It was probably the
best pear I’ve ever tasted!
At night, I went to my first professional soccer game. It was very
exciting to see the fans so into the game. No matter who was
winning, the fans were very supportive of their players. The section
behind one of the goals was ridiculous, lighting up flares, waving
flags, playing drums and starting chants during the whole game. I
didn’t expect so many people to be there, considering the rainy
weather, but there were over 30,000 people there. They did not let
the nasty weather rain on their parade. The home team, Bordeaux,
scored first but then there was a crucial penalty that turned the
game around. The Bordeaux goalie was kicked out of the game for a
foul and they had to play with one less player for the rest of the
game. Bordeaux kept the lead until the second half, until Le Mans
tied the game right after halftime. Towards the end of the game, Le
Mans scored to take the lead. Bordeaux scored soon after but the
goal was waved off because the player was ruled offsides. Overall
the game was a very exciting and fun experience.
We have only a couple more days left in France before we return
home. So far the trip has been a very memorable experience that I
will cherish for the rest of my life. – Junior forward Manny
Perez, Caldwell College
DAY 6: FOIE-GRAS AND A WIN
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from today
Tuesday, August 14 - The highlight of
Tuesday was the Cougars’ first victory in France, a 73-68 triumph
over Hagetmau-Doazit in Doazit, France. We also had the opportunity
to visit a duck farm near Doazit, where we tasted the farm’s
specialty, foie-gras, a pate made from duck liver. The team overcame
another long bus ride and the warmer climate of southwestern France
to win an exciting game with the host team from Doazit. The Cougars’
leading scorer, Sam Cricelli, has today’s blog from France.
 Sam
Cricelli’s Blog – Today has certainly been an interesting day.
Having already been to France a couple of times I thought I’d pretty
much seen it all out here. However our main stop today disproved me
big time. We were taken by our tour guide to a farm. However none of
us expect it to be a duck farm. We were shown ducks of different
ages and the stages they go through before they are shipped off to
be sold. They also showed us the process by which they feed the duck
with corn. They stick a tube down the animal’s throat and “force
feed” them with corn. I don’t know if everyone approved of this.
Apparently it’s harmless to the animal. Anyhow we proceeded with the
quick tour by actually trying the duck by eating it as a form of
pate on French baguette. No one knew though that the pate was made
mostly of duck liver. I was close to turning it down but tried it
and found it to be quite tasty. Having finished with the duck
tasting we relaxed outside in the garden and ate some more for our
pre-game meal: fruit, cereal, cheese and again baguette!
We had a couple of hours before
the game. The court was not too far from the farm so we got there
early which gave us a chance to shoot around and get used to the
surroundings. The facility was different from the previous one we’d
played at. As soon as we walked in I could feel the heat and sweat,
and we hadn’t even warmed up! Once the game had started the
atmosphere was also different. Not as many people and thus not as
much noise coming from the fans banging on the floor and walls. I’ve
played in Italy, England and also France before but I have never
seen fans like the French.
Our main focus however was on winning today. We played better in the
second game the other day but we were nowhere near satisfied. The
main difference in today’s performance was our turnovers. We had
more control over the ball and were now more used to the style and
rules of play that they go by here. I also felt that we were being
more aggressive. The score did go back and forth quite a bit but we
eventually took charge towards the end. We came together with our
individual efforts and left the court with a well deserved win!
It’s been a fun trip so far being here. Not many people get the
chance to travel to a different country let alone play basketball so
I think everyone really is appreciative of this experience. Great
thing is we still have a few more days left to play basketball,
sight-see and I’m sure there will be plenty more baguettes! –
Sophomore forward Sam Cricelli, Caldwell College
 Aug.
14, 2007 - Sophomore forward Sam Cricelli (Brighton, England/Culham)
scored 16 points and senior guard Adam Sabree (Detroit,
MI/Renaissance) tallied 15 points as the Caldwell College men’s basketball
team defeated Hagetmau-Doazit, 73-68 Tuesday evening in the Sports Complex
in Doazit. The victory was the first in three games for the Cougars, who
finish their exhibition slate on Thursday in Bayonne. (more)
DAY 5: BORDEAUX
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from today
Monday, August 13 - Today we took a long
bus ride from Blois to Bordeaux, a beautiful city in the
southwestern part of France. Once there, we were given a walking
tour by a tour guide, who passed along many interesting facts about
one of France’s oldest cities. We spent about two hours enjoying the
sights of Bordeaux before traveling just outside the city to visit a
vineyard. When in this part of France, it is fitting to learn about
wine-making, as the region owes its prosperity to the industry. More
sight-seeing is on the schedule for tomorrow before playing a game
in Doazit later in the evening. Here’s Michael Luzzi’s blog about
today’s events. – Matt McLagan, Sports Information Director
 Michael
Luzzi’s Blog – We had to get up at 6:30 a.m. this morning to
take a four-hour bus ride to Bordeaux, where we’ll be staying for
the next four nights. Even though we’ve been on the bus a lot
lately, the bus ride wasn’t bad because I slept most of the way. The
closer we got to Bordeaux, I saw many vineyards along the
countryside. We arrived at about 1:00 p.m., ate lunch and headed to
our hotel in downtown Bordeaux. Once we were settled in our rooms,
we took a walking tour of the city with a guide. One of the first
things we found out about Bordeaux is that it is one of the oldest
cities in France. It has many structures today that were constructed
as far back as Roman and medieval times, including the Cathedrale de
Saint-Andre, part of which was built in the 11th century.
One of the many interesting things about the city is that it has two
underground rivers running under its two main roads. As we proceeded
along through the city streets, we approached the city’s port along
a river that was once guarded by a huge wall. The only part still
standing was the enormous gateway. We then walked along the river to
the Esplanade des Quinconces, which is one of Bordeaux’s most famous
landmarks. It is also considered the largest town square in Europe.
I was amazed at the classic architecture of the buildings and the
way the town was constructed as we headed back towards the hotel.
Later that night, we toured a vineyard outside of Bordeaux. It was
very interesting to learn about the process of making wine. I was
surprised to learn that they wait four years for the vines to grow
before the grapes can be harvested.
To have the opportunity to play basketball in France is truly a
unique experience for me and my teammates. Although I’ve been to
France before, I’m seeing many things for the first time, especially
Normandy and the Eiffel Tower. Also, traveling the countryside and
seeing how other people live such different lives has been
enjoyable. I really like trying to communicate with the French, with
their language being so different from ours. They seem to appreciate
us trying to use the little French that we know. Luckily we have
come across many people who can understand and speak English. We
have attracted a lot of attention through our travels because of the
size (and height!) of our group; they ask us if we play ‘basket’. We
smile and say “Oui!” – Junior center Michael Luzzi, Caldwell
College
DAY 4: A CASTLE AND ANOTHER GAME
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from today
Sunday, August 12 - Sunday included more
sight-seeing with a trip to Chambord, a castle built for King
Francis I in the 16th century. During his 32-year reign,
Francis I spent just 72 days at Chambord, which wasn’t completed at
the time of his death in 1547. His son, Henry II, and Louis XIV
continued the construction of the castle, which was intended to be a
hunting lodge. I know of no other hunting lodge with 282 fireplaces
and 426 rooms, but when you’re the king, the extraordinary is
commonplace. The Cougars also played their second game in two days
on Sunday, losing to Blois ADA 98-78. Here’s senior forward B.J.
Suchy and senior guard Michael Wise. – Matt McLagan, Sports
Information Director
 B.J.
Suchy’s Blog - Today we visited the castle at Chambord. It was a
new and amazing experience for me being that I have never seen a
castle of that magnitude before. When we walked out of the bus and
down the street you could not see the entire castle, but as soon as
you walked into the courtyard the size and detail of the castle made
you stand in awe. As we walked towards the entrance of the castle I
began to imagine the kings and knights who had walked the same steps
that I was taking. The outside of the castle was the most amazing
part of the whole experience but once inside the castle we were able
to see the living conditions of the old kings. We were introduced to
all of the furniture, silverware, keys, and all the little things
that were used in those days. The most amazing room, I thought, was
the king’s room. The bed was amazing and the crown was on display.
It was definitely good to be king back then! After our visit at
Chambord, we went back to the dormitories in Blois to rest up for
tonight’s game. - Senior forward B.J. Suchy, Caldwell College
 Michael
Wise’s Blog – Today we played the same team, ADA Blois, that we
played yesterday. We knew that the team we played in the first two
games would be tough. We showed improvement the second game, but we
still have a long way to go. For three quarters of the game we
played pretty well but the last quarter we kind of fell apart. It
was hard adjusting to the rules the first game but by the second
game we were more comfortable. I was disappointed in the outcome but
it was a great experience nonetheless. The support from the crowd in
both games was great. They cheered for both teams and it made it a
great atmosphere. There was no booing, like we have at our road
games back home. The arena is small but it got loud, with the fans
in the front rows banging on the boards outside the court. As far as
our team, we haven’t been together very long since the end of last
season, so we know we’ll come together more as the trip goes along.
So far the most memorable experience for me on this trip is our
visit to the cemetery at Omaha Beach in Normandy. It was
overwhelming to see how many people sacrificed their lives on those
beaches. It was amazing to know that we were standing where so many
people died in such an important battle in World War II. Seeing the
Eiffel Tower was also a once in a lifetime experience. I’m probably
the only person in my family that will ever get to see it. I’m truly
grateful for the experience and can’t wait to see what’s next. –
Senior guard Michael Wise, Caldwell College
Aug.
12, 2007 - The Caldwell College men’s basketball team lost to A.D.A.
Blois for the second game in a row, 98-78 at the Palais du Sports in Blois,
France, as the Cougars continued their exhibition series in France. Senior
guard Michael Wise (Whitesboro, NJ/Middletownship) paced the Cougars
with 22 points. (more)
DAY 3: LET THE GAMES BEGIN!
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from today
Saturday, August 11 - After two days of
sight-seeing, the Cougars got down to business with their first game
in France. The team was featured in an article in the
Nouvelle Republique
previewing today's game.
Click here and
follow the link to 'Sports.' A.D.A. Blois won the exhibition game 102-73 in front of
about 800 fans. Here’s Carl Augustin’s view of his team’s first
game.
 Carl
Augustin’s Blog – When we first walked into the gym it was a
different experience. The seats are a lot closer to the court, and
the lines on the court were different than what we have back home.
It feels like more of a personal atmosphere, with the fans right on
top of you. During the game, they were really involved. Right before
we started the game, we exchanged gifts with the other team, which
is something we never do during our season. In the beginning we
started off slow, mainly due to some different rules. It seemed like
a totally different game at first. It was hard to communicate with
the refs because of the language barrier and their interpretation of
the rules. One rule that was really challenging is that in Europe
they allow two or three steps with the ball instead of one or two.
Defensively, you had to be conscious of that difference. As the game
went on, we started to adjust to their style of play and rules. We
were able to cut into their lead during the second and third
quarters by playing their type of basketball. But it takes more than
just one game to completely grasp their concept of basketball. The
end result wasn’t to our favor but it was a really good experience
to play overseas and this is only going to make us better for our
season. We’re looking forward to playing the same team tomorrow
because we feel like we have a game under our belt and we should be
much better prepared for this style of basketball. After the game,
we had dinner with the other team and got to meet them off the
court. All in all it was a great experience, and it’s something I’ll
never forget.
Since this is my first time in Europe, so far everything has been
more than I could have dreamed. I’ve been able to see so many
beautiful places that I’ve only seen in movies or postcards. It is
amazing to see these beautiful sites, and I’m happy to be able to
someday tell my children that I had the opportunity to play
basketball in France. We’ve only scratched the surface on our trip
and I’m excited to learn and see more of France. – Junior guard
Carl Augustin, Caldwell College
 Aug.
11, 2007 - The Caldwell College men’s basketball team opened exhibition
play in France Saturday, losing to A.D.A. Blois 102-73 in the Palais des
Sports in Blois, France. The game marked the Cougars’ first contest on their
four-game trip to France after arriving on Thursday, Aug. 9. Senior forward
B.J. Suchy (Ronkonkoma, NY/Our Savior) led Caldwell with 24 points. (more)
DAY 2: NORMANDY
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from today
Friday, August 10 - Day two of our
adventure took us from Paris northwest to the Normandy coast to
visit pivotal points in the Battle of Normandy. On the way we
watched Saving Private Ryan, to see how the battles unfolded
before we visited the actual places where they took place. Over
135,000 allied troops stormed these shores to free Europe from Nazi
occupation. The tour was highlighted by visits to Arromanches and
Omaha Beach. At Arromanches, we were able to see the remnants of the
146 concrete blocks that were set up to protect a part of the beach
which was nicknamed Mulberry Harbor, and used as a port to bring in
2.5 million soldiers, half of a million vehicles, and 4 million tons
of equipment. At Omaha Beach, we witnessed the severity of the
battle as we saw the graves of 9,387 soldiers and memorials to 1,557
missing in action covering 172 acres. We then headed South to
Falaise for the evening on our way to Blois for the Cougars first
game. – Kristen Koehler, Executive Director of Development
 Adam
Sabree's Blog - As we awoke and began the second day of
travel, it was apparent we were in France and jet lagged. The six
hour time difference really began to kick in as the day got started.
The breakfast menu at the hotel was very simple, consisting of just
cheese, croissants, yogurt, ham, cereal, and juice. After breakfast,
we checked out of our hotel, hopped on the bus and headed for
Normandy. To brief everyone on the history of the city and its
relevance, we watched “Saving Private Ryan.” It helped give us an
idea of how great a role America played in helping France gain their
independence. The ride to Normandy was around three hours and full
of napping and new scenery. There was a lot of farmland, horses,
cows, and shoreline on our route to the battlegrounds.
Our first stop was Juno, the spot where the Canadian army docked
their ships and prepared for battle. Juno had a very tranquil feel
to it. There were a lot of old people riding their bikes and horses,
narrow streets, beachfront property, and unique architecture. We
spent a little time at the beach, read a bit of history on the
Canadian army and jumped back on the bus to head for Arromanches.
The Arromanches were definitely an eye-opening experience. We went
into an old ammunition storage tunnel and three military bunkers
equipped with cannons that shoot up to 12 miles. One of the bunkers
you can tell had been bombed. It was very crazy to walk through a
former war zone.
We walked to the cliff that overlooked the English channel. It was a
breathtaking experience because of the site of the English channel.
You could see the coastline for miles and people hundreds of feet
away. Later, we ate lunch at a small restaurant in the area and
headed for the main event, Omaha beach. There a sort of aura when
approaching the beach. After watching Saving Private Ryan,
then seeing the actual site where the Germans and Americans were at
battle, it really gave me a greater sense of appreciation for
American soldiers and their sacrifice.
The cemetery was the most moving of the entire trip. There were over
10,000 tombstones, lined in the most precise order imaginable. It
was a truly a humbling experience. A few of us took a walk down to
the coastline to get a closer look at the former battlefield. It’s
just crazy to imagine what the soldiers went through, getting off of
the ships and walking the deadly coastline toward land. After Omaha,
we hopped back on the bus checked into a hotel, and headed to the
most familiar place to us all, McDonald’s! This is a day I am sure
everyone will remember for the rest of their lives. – Senior
guard Adam Sabree, Caldwell College
DAY 1: ARRIVING IN PARIS
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from today
Thursday, August 9 - Greetings from Paris,
Cougar Fans! We just completed an extremely long, but exciting day
of traveling and sight-seeing that took us from the friendly
surroundings of Caldwell College to some of the more famous areas of
Paris in a 24-hour period. After checking into our hotel following a
seven-hour flight, we headed straight to Sacre Coeur, a basilica
that overlooks the northeastern part of Paris. We then saw the
Eiffel Tower and even walked right underneath it. Our marathon day
concluded at Saint-Michel in the Latin Quarter, where we had dinner
before heading back to the hotel. The journey included several rides
on the subway, a lot of walking and an unfathomable amount of
stairs, but it was perhaps one of the most memorable days for myself
and several others in the group, especially those who had never been
to Europe. One of those neophyte travelers is sophomore guard John
Reed (Wall, NJ/Wall), who writes our first installment of the Cougars’ blog from
France. – Matt McLagan, Sports Information Director
 John
Reed's Blog - Just the fact that we were getting on a plane and
coming to Paris, one of the most famous cities in the world, stands
out to me in itself. Walking the streets and seeing the small shops
and restaurants was very cool. It’s like parts of New York City but
much older. We went to Sacre Coeur, a huge church that had a date on
one of the walls that said 1662, and I don’t think I’ve ever seen
anything that old. It was built before our country even existed.
Like our host Andre Vatin told us, we were in the heart of Paris at
that point, and the view of the city from the church, which was on
top of a big hill, was amazing. You could see how close together all
of the buildings are, and it gave you an idea of how old the city
is. Then we headed to the Eiffel Tower, something everyone has to
see when they come to Paris. Seeing the Eiffel Tower in person was
amazing, and it was hard to imagine how they built it. It’s one of
the most famous structures in the world, and even though I’ve seen
it on TV and in pictures, it was incredible to see how tall it is.
Our last stop was in Saint-Michel, a trendy part of town near a
university. There was a younger crowd there, and there were some
street performers as well. We finished off the day with dinner at an
Italian restaurant in France!
The streets where we visited were so unique, with the cobblestones
and the way the streets are with the buildings right on top of them.
You could be passing by buildings that were there during the time of
Napoleon or even earlier. It made me think about the people who used
to walk these same streets hundreds of years ago.
Hanging out with my teammates in maybe the most famous city in
Europe is like a dream vacation, and it’s pretty cool that we’re
here. And we have a lot more to see ahead of us. France has so much
to offer and so much history, from the Roman Empire to World War II.
I’m looking forward to tomorrow and our trip to Normandy. –
Sophomore guard John
Reed, Caldwell College
FOLLOW THE COUGARS IN FRANCE!
The Caldwell College men's basketball team is headed to France in
August to play four exhibition games while seeing some of the sights
along the way. You can follow the team's progress by visiting the
Cougars' website at
http://info.caldwell.edu/athletics for photos, game stories,
stats and a blog written by the players. The content will be updated
daily, starting Thursday, August 9, so be sure to check back and see
how your Cougars are doing in France. Here's the game schedule:
Saturday, Aug. 11 vs. ADA Blois, 12 pm EST (Blois, France)
Sunday, Aug. 12 vs. ADA Blois, 12 pm EST (Blois, France)
Tuesday, Aug. 14 vs. Hagetmau-Doazit, 3 pm EST (Doazit, France)
Thursday, Aug. 16 vs. Denek-Urcuit, 2 pm EST (Bayonne, France)
COUGARS TO PLAY EXHIBITION GAMES IN FRANCE
7-17-07
 CALDWELL,
N.J. - The Caldwell College men's basketball team will travel to
France this summer to play four exhibition games against French
amateur teams. The defending Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference
champion Cougars depart on August 8 and return on August 18.
“We are fortunate that our administration has been supportive in
providing us with the opportunity to have such a great experience,”
said Mark A. Corino, Caldwell’s Executive Director of
Athletics. “Once again, it’s an example of the institution’s
commitment to the overall experience of our student-athletes.”
The Cougars will play two games against A.D.A. Blois on August 11th
and 12th before facing Hagetmau-Doazit on August 14th. The final
game will be against Denek-Urcuit in Bayonne on August 16th. Blois
is located to the southwest of Paris, about thirty miles outside
Orleans. Doazit and Bayonne are in the southwest corner of France
near the Spain border.
“Not too many of our players have ever been outside the country, so
this is a tremendous opportunity to see a different culture,” Corino
said. “It also gives us a chance to come together as a team in the
summer and play against some good competition.”
Eleven players return from last year’s squad that went 19-12 and won
the CACC Tournament to advance to the NCAA Northeast Region
Tournament. They are center Michael Luzzi (Mount Arlington,
NJ/Morris Catholic), forwards B.J. Suchy (Ronkonkoma, NY/Our
Savior), Manny Perez (Egg Harbor, NJ/Egg Harbor), Sam
Cricelli (Brighton, England/Culham), Matt Cohen (Forked
River, NJ/Manasquan) and Tyrone Royster (Asbury Park,
NJ/Asbury Park), and guards Hans Stelzer (Selden, NY/Our
Savior), Michael Wise (Whitesboro, NJ/Middletownship),
Adam Sabree (Detroit, MI/Renaissance), Carl Augustin
(Stony Point, NY/Don Bosco Prep) and John Reed (Wall,
NJ/Wall). All 11 returnees will be going to France, as will
sophomore guard Eddie Crockett (Passaic, NJ/Passaic), who
transferred to Caldwell from Nicholls State this past spring.
The team will be accompanied by Andre Vatin, a former professional
basketball coach in France who is organizing the trip. Vatin has
known Cougar assistant coach Dave DeFerrari for the past 10
years.
“Andre has been trying to get us to come over to France ever since I
came to Caldwell five years ago,” DeFerrari said. “It’s exciting
that we’re finally able to make it happen, and I thank Andre for all
he has done to organize our tour.”
Fans can follow the Cougars while they are in France by visiting
Caldwell’s athletics website at info.caldwell.edu/athletics.
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