KANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY VOLLEYBALL TEAM RETURNS FROM EUROPEAN TOUR SPONSORED BY USA ATHLETES INTERNATIONAL

From Kansas City Star Press Release Central
http://pressreleases.kcstar.com/?q=node/35395

(Olathe, KS) The Kansas State University (KSU) Volleyball team returned June 1, 2010 from their European tour. The tour was made possible by USA Athletes International (USAAI).

"This trip had so many benefits starting from the cultural perspective in that none of our girls have ever been outside of the continental United States, so the cultural experience were amazing for them," said KSU coach Suzie Fritz. "That's a huge benefit just in terms of practice time together," said Fritz. "Plus, we had the opportunity to face international competition and compete against a different style of volleyball."

In Budapest, KSU faced the Hungarian National team and the Club team that produced ex-Wildcats Vali Hejjas and Rita Liliom, plus incoming Wildcat Lilla Porubek. "Budapest is dear to our program because of the quality individuals who have been in our program," said Fritz.

The tour included goodwill games in Hungary and Slovenia. One athlete even remarked that playing the European teams challenged them to step up their own game. Play at the International level is something they will take with them for a very long time and will impact their play for KSU. Trip highlights included tours of Budapest and Venice. The trip was programmed to allow maximum play of the sport they love in goodwill games with local clubs as well as playing the Hungarian National Volleyball Team. Cultural highlights included a traditional Hungarian Horse show, local cuisine, a tour of the Murano Glass Factory, and a gondola ride in Venice.

How did it come together?
In the height of March Madness 2009, USA Athletes International founder William Edington logged on to the ESPN site just to check the basketball standings. What he found set the course for the KSU Volleyball tour. Under the storyline “Schools out thousands to tour operators”, Edington watched the “Outside the Lines” feature with great interest. As the story detailed, KSU was one of several schools that had purchased a travel package from another company only to find out days before they were set to travel that no arrangements had been made. Kansas State had purchased what they thought was to be a volleyball experience in China at a cost of approximately $151,500.

Knowing that this was a wrong that could be corrected, Edington made a few calls and within days was talking with the Kansas State Athletics Department about sending the volleyball team on a trip that would be of no cost to Kansas State University. In less than a year the trip was planned and history has been made.

The sports travel industry is best known for team tours that allow organized teams to travel to tournaments they would not normally compete in from their home base. A select group of travel providers like USAAI have added educational and cultural components not found in typical team tours. In addition to playing the sport the athletes love they may find themselves touring a concentration camp or making apple strudel in the Alps. USAAI is an industry leader sending over a thousand athletes in eight sports and supporters each year to over 14 countries.

Edington said, “We wanted to give Kansas State Volleyball athletes the experience of playing the sport they are so passionate about on the international level. Yes, this is the story of setting things right but it is about the thrill of playing in another country and feeling the surge of what that means.” A favorite quote of USAAI is that of Nelson Mandela: “Sport has the power to change the world. It has the power to unite people in a way that little else does.”

Edington believes in what he does everyday and the experience that he provides student athletes and their families. The friendships made last a lifetime across oceans and years.
It has been an honor to work with the team at Kansas State University. Coach Suzie Fritz has a great team and they will bring pride and honor to Kansas State University.

For more information on the tour or personal interviews with USAAI staff, KSU coaching staff, or student athletes please contact us.

Tour video and photographs available upon request.

About USA Athletes International
USA Athletes International, Inc. is a nonprofit organization dedicated to giving amateur athletes and coaches the opportunity to participate in international sporting events throughout the world, while also allowing them to broaden their educational and cultural knowledge of the world through the experience.
USAAI has been participating in international competition since 1992. Originally called the Midwest All-Stars, the organization provided overseas playing opportunities to baseball players. The success of that program eventually prompted requests from abroad for other sporting teams to participate. In 1998 the organization incorporated and received its 501(c)(3) nonprofit status (available upon request), changing its name to USA Athletes International. We now support a total of 15 different sports that compete in 25 different countries throughout the world.