Rockets Enjoy Relaxing Final Day in Greece
8/14/2023 4:27:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Toledo returns from unforgettable trip on Tuesday
ATHENS, Greece – After several days of sightseeing, relaxation, and team bonding, the Toledo women's basketball team spent its final day in Greece on Monday.
The travel party had the entire day to itself on Monday, with many people taking advantage of the amenities provided by the resort. The group gathered for one final team dinner at the hotel in the evening.
The Rockets, who arrived in Greece on Aug. 7, spent time in Athens and Santorini and played one game early in the trip, the other being cancelled due to unforeseen travel circumstances.
"This is the largest trip we've ever taken, and 65 people is the largest group Sport Tours has toured with," head coach Tricia Cullop said. "It's been simply incredible because everyone who came on the trip has had a wonderful time. I wish we could've played our second game, but this trip is more about building team chemistry and culture. For our players to be able to learn about Greece and a different culture, while also bonding as a team, that was the biggest part of this trip."
In addition to playing their game against the Athens Stars on Aug. 8, the Rockets toured the Acropolis in Athens and its museum, saw other important historical sights on a guided bus tour of the city, explored the island of Santorini and sailed the waters around Greece twice, among other activities.
This was the fourth foreign trip Toledo has taken under Cullop after traveling to Italy in 2019, England and Spain in 2015, and Israel in 2011.
"We're very grateful for everyone who donated and made this trip possible," Cullop said. "Without their generous help it would not be possible. This trip is all independently fundraised, and we're indebted to our Toledo community for making this a reality."
Toledo's trip to Greece was also a wonderful opportunity for the newcomers to enmesh themselves in the culture of Rocket Basketball. Freshmen Ella Weaver, Cadence Dykstra, and Macey Fegan as well as Rhode Island transfer Emmi Rinat and Kansas transfer Bella Swedlund will all be making their on-court Toledo debuts this upcoming season. Spending a week abroad with their teammates went a long way towards developing a positive team culture for 2023-24.
"Exposing them to something different will help them long after they graduate from Toledo, but it will also help us on the court this year," Cullop said. "The time they've spent together on this trip will pay dividends. Our practices leading up to this trip were a lot of fun to watch. Our older players have almost been like extra assistant coaches. We would stop and have a break before our next drill and I would see an older player put their arm around a younger player and explain a concept or detail of how we do things on or off the court to help us win. It was great to get those things instilled with the 10 extra practices we had."
The Rockets depart Athens Tuesday morning and are expected to return home late Tuesday night.
