University of Minnesota Athletics
Arrivederci Italy!
8/29/2008 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Hello Gopher fans. This is the final report from the women’s basketball trip to Italy. The final two days were spent in Como, a beautiful resort town on the east side of Lake Como. The Gophers returned home on Thursday.
During the Gophers’ trip, Becky Bohm, the associate director of athletic communications, has posted reports on the Gophers’ first summer international tour in the program’s history. I’d like to thank the coaches and players for contributing their thoughts, stories and experiences throughout the trip. I hope you have enjoyed hearing these first-hand accounts from your Golden Gophers. We close the trip with blogs from Brittany McCoy, Emily Fox and Joel Maturi, which will be included at the end of this report.
Since our game in Venice was cancelled the night before, the team started their first full day in Como on Tuesday with an 8:30 a.m. team run. After that though, the players had the rest of the morning and afternoon free until the bus left for the game at 6:45 p.m.
The day was low key. Most players walked around the town, spending time on the waterfront or taking a cable car up a 55 percent incline for a beautiful view of the mountains, the lake and the surrounding area. With plenty of late nights on the trip, every player grabbed an afternoon nap before leaving for the game.
The bus ride to this game was a little different and certainly the most exciting as we traveled across the border into Switzerland for the game. Your normal quiet focus on the bus was replaced by plenty of fun chatter. It was a quick check-in at the border. We didn’t even leave the bus or have to show our passports. Though the language spoken in this part of Switzerland was still Italian, you could quickly pick up on the Swiss influence of the buildings. Even more memorable was the beauty of the Swiss Alps as the sun set for the evening. Those awe-inspiring mountains were a gorgeous backdrop to a group of locals playing soccer. Of course we also couldn’t help but notice a big Ikea store in a city along the way as well.
We were all excited to see Leslie Knight at the game. She and two of her Swiss professional team coaches (Fabio and French) made the 30-minute drive to the game, then Leslie was able to drive back with the team to Como for the night. It was fun to hear Leslie’s stories of her first few days in Switzerland.
Switzerland doesn’t use the Euro for its money system, but instead uses the Franc. I managed to exchange 0.50 for a Franc. It’s my only souvenir from this country, maybe a bit corny, but I had fun with it.
After the big win, the team ordered pizza. The only thing, though, is that Claudio our bus driver doesn’t allow people to eat two things on the bus pizza and ice cream. So, we had a bit of a pizza party at the gym before we left. It was some of the best pizza we had on the trip. Go figure we got better pizza in Switzerland, than in Italy.
The ride back to Como went quickly. The players were having a good time in the back of the bus with plenty of laughter and some singing. Riding though the mountains we passed through several tunnels. It became a game where the players tried to hold their breath throughout the duration of tunnel. Most tunnels were easy, a matter of 10 seconds, but I had noticed a lengthy tunnel on the trip over and knew the game might end there. Well, I was right. There wasn’t a player who was able to hold their breath that long and that was enough of that game.
Wednesday was the final day of the trip. The team gathered for a boat tour of Lake Como under beautiful sunny skies and warm temperatures. The guide pointed out several interesting facts about the lake’s history, as well as the villas of several celebrities. The players grabbed their cameras when the villa of George Clooney was spotted, as well as one nearby that was used in the recent films Oceans Eleven (or was it twelve?) and Batman. It was Ted Riverso and Joel Maturi who pepped up when Sophia Loren’s villa was passed.
The Italian and Swiss Alps rise from both sides of Lake Como and grew in magnitude as we neared the northern shore of the lake which is shaped like an upside down Y. We docked at the village of Bellagio. What a beautiful little town nestled between the deep alpine waters of the lake, one of the deepest in all of Europe, and the majesty of the mountains. You’d think after all the shopping that we’d done already in Florence and Venice we’d be tired of shopping. Not the case. Bellagio offered some very interesting little shops. Marisa Moseley, the self-proclaimed shopping queen, bought a fabulous leather bag. As she proudly paraded down the street, Marisa was greeted by an impressed Ashley Ellis-Milan. “That’s my girl,” said Ashley, obviously approving of Marisa’s purchase. Ted was very proud of his purchase as well, a block of aged Parmesan cheese. “Lunch,” he added. I couldn’t resist buying a couple items from a little shop that made wood carved pieces, made from olive wood and carved right there in the store.
Several of us wondered into the small church in Bellagio and were once again amazed with the artwork inside. I admit I have to do a little reading on this. Ted spotted an old crucifix and we were curious about its age. I have to admit that I’m surprised at how much I enjoyed wandering about in these old churches.
We left Bellagio wishing we had a little more time to spend there. I assembled the players for a team photo before we got back on the boat for the return trip to Como.
When we got back to Como, we had the afternoon to do as we pleased. I have to say that mix of planned activities/tours and free time was a good one on this trip. The players dashed off to change into their swimming suits and enjoy a sunny afternoon on a popular grassy park area along the lake. They jumped off docks into the lake. I heard something about water snakes, but since I really don’t like snakes, I didn’t even want to hear that story.
Later that evening, the whole group walked to a restaurant for a final team dinner. What a beautiful sight with the mountains, the lake and the sunset. Our Italian tour guide Sara was busy helping all of us order off a menu completely written in Italian.
The team boarded the bus at 8:45 a.m. on Thursday to drive an hour to the Milan airport to catch the long flight home. After a brief layover in Amsterdam, the Gophers landed at the Minneapolis/St. Paul airport a few minutes after 5 p.m. Home sweet home.
Overall, the whole experience was phenomenal. I will forever treasure the memories shared with the rest of the group. I hope you have enjoyed the blogs and photos from the trip. Coach Borton will write one final blog to wrap up the trip. Until then, arrivederci!
Hi from Italy! With one full day left on our trip, I am now able to reflect on our whole experience here. Seeing that my first blog was on the language of the country, I will talk about that first. Honestly, considering the fact that we each knew very few Italian words, everyone was able to get by extremely well. It definitely helped that many of the people here, especially the waiters and shop keepers, knew at least a little English. Usually when buying a souvenir or choosing something to buy we would speak in English and point at the item, so it made things a little easier.
The word that I have gotten used to saying the most is “grazie,” thank you. I find myself saying it all the time sometimes more than I probably need to and the response is always “prego.” Sometimes even if one of my teammates gives me something I will say “grazie,” and they are usually good about staying in the spirit of the language and saying “prego” in return.
Today one of the funniest moments of the trip happened, and it involved the language barriers between us and the locals. While taking a walk around Lake Como, Kristen, Ohmmy, and I were snapping pictures of the beautiful scenery. We decided that we wanted a picture of the three of us together, and being that we were the only three on the team that were walking, we decided that we would have to attempt to ask someone else to take it for us. We spotted two older women strolling down the path and decided to ask them to take it. Kristen was voted to be the person to ask because we were going to take the picture with her camera. As the women were about to pass us, Kristen turned around and asked them very politely, “Will you take a picture of us?” Both women stopped for a moment, stared at Kristen, and then continued to walk. As soon as they past us we all busted out laughing and proceeded to make fun of Kristen the entire walk home, asking her how it felt being shot down by two old women.
Other than that experience, the language barrier has not been an issue. In fact, sometimes it was to our advantage that other people did not know what we were saying. For example, in one of our games, we were playing zone, and during a time out we decided to trap when the ball went to the wing. The entire time that the point guard was bringing the ball down the court, we were yelling reminding each other to trap. Had it been an English speaking team we would have had to be a little less obvious of our plans, but because they did not know what we were saying we could say anything out loud.
This trip has been an amazing experience. Not only have we grown closer off the court, but we have grown as a team on the court. Being able to play as a team this early in the year has been great, and we each are looking forward to the start of the actual season.
Ciao Everybody!
I can’t believe our Italian adventure is about to come to an end. Our last stop is the beautiful Lake Como. Words really can’t describe how gorgeous this place is. One of my favorite experiences here was when we rode up one of the mountains in a train and were able to look out at the lake and city. The view was incredible and we got some great pictures.
Another highlight of Lake Como was when we went on a guided boat tour across the lake. Our guide, who had a thick Italian accent, told us about all the places of interest along the lake. We couldn’t get over how expensive the villas are, although it makes sense because you can’t beat the location. To my delight, we saw George Clooney’s guest house and villa (no George though.) We also saw one of the places they filmed the movie Ocean’s 12.
To relax after the boat ride we found a grassy area where we laid out in the sun and some of us jumped into the Lake. The water was freezing but very refreshing! On our last night we went out to a lovely dinner right on the lake. The sunset was the perfect setting for our last meal together in Italy.
This has truly been a once and a lifetime experience that I know we will never forget. Thanks to everyone who gave us this incredible opportunity!
Joel and Lois Maturi
Every job has its challenges and rewards. Having the opportunity to travel with the women’s basketball team, Pam and her staff to Italy is certainly one of the very special rewards. Lois and I are grateful. My belief that intercollegiate athletics is an extension of the educational mission is very evident on this trip. These young women will remember this educational experience for the rest of their lives. Lois and I feel the same way.
Due to the timing of the trip we were uncertain whether we would be able to make the trip. Soccer has begun practices and has already played three games, football begins this weekend and our cross country teams are in the midst of training for their seasons. However I am blessed with a good staff and knew I could still be reached by phone or email if necessary. I have worked some, but the trip has been one of enjoyment.
This trip was especially significant because my father was born in northern Italy and returning to my roots was meaningful. Although I had been to Italy before I had never been to Rome. The Vatican, Sistine Chapel, Colosseum and the Forum are no longer just pictures from books I have read and pictures I have seen. I cannot find the words to appropriately express my feelings.
It’s been great getting to know the young women on this team and get to spend an extended amount of time with them. We are both proud of how they have played and conducted themselves. All Gopher fans should be proud. I predict the 2008-2009 season will be special!
As many of you know, I’m an avid runner so it was an enjoyable part of my day to take my daily jogs in the cities we visited. The only other time I was in Italy I took a run and promptly got lost. A 45-minute run turned into over a 2-hour ordeal. Lois wasn’t a happy camper about that one but we laugh about it now. This time I made sure to pay attention to where I was going so I could find my return. I think one of my best runs was a morning in Florence, when I ventured out with Pam and Barb and we ran by the Arno River by the famous Pointe Vecchio bridge.
Lois has mentioned how much she enjoyed all the cultural experiences on this trip. Though I didn’t go along with the group to the Uffizi art gallery, Lois and I did spend time admiring the churches in the different cities we visited. Some the smaller ones were actually the most memorable. The Duomo in Como was magnificent. The frescos and mosaics were beautiful and unforgettable, even though I certainly don’t consider art to be a big interest of mine. I think one of the blogs on the website mentioned a group that missed out on touring the Basilica of San Marco in Venice. Yup, we were part of that unfortunately.
I have to mention too that it was nice to have another true Italian on the trip Ted Riverso. We had the chance to talk about our families’ histories and see more the country my father called home. On our last day of the trip, Ted bought some cheese and we had a simple, but very Italian lunch, with that cheese, a bagette of bread and some wine that we had purchase at the winery we had toured earlier. I think I ate the most of cheese. It was the locale, the company and the food that made this so special.
Overall I feel blessed that Lois and I were able to experience this trip. We often get going so fast and furious in our normal everyday lives and forget to appreciate some of the simple things in life. The Italians are never in a hurry. It’s why they don’t go for a walk; they stroll. It’s why they close their shops for a few hours at lunch. It’s why the piazzas are filled with people just enjoying the view of a fountain. I’m sure I will hit the ground running with the hectic life of being the athletic director as soon as we return, but maybe I can fit in a stroll once in a while.
