June 27, 2008
Fayetteville, NC - The Fayetteville State University women's basketball team will travel to Nassau, Bahamas and participate in the Bahamas Sunshine Shootout this upcoming 2008-09 season.
Head coach Eric Tucker was approached with the idea of participating in a basketball tournament located in the Bahamas by a representative of Sport Tours International, Inc. Since 1980, Sport Tours International, Inc. has been the global leader at arranging sport tours for teams in the United States and from all over the world. They organize college basketball tournaments in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Nassau, Bahamas, South Padre Island, Texas, and Miami, Florida.
"We produce and direct many tournaments in interesting venues during the regular college season for men, women, Division I and small colleges," Lee Frederick, President of Sport Tours International, Inc. "We understand that everyone has a budget. After listening to your priorities we will make a proposal that is best for you. We arrange long and short course training in wonderful climates, all while having an interesting island experience for your team. Our packages include airport and practice transfers which means coaches can focus on COACHING-NOT DRIVING."
"Collegiate athletics is not all about wins and losses, it's also about the life lessons and experiences," said Coach Tucker. "I thought this would be a great opportunity for our student-athletes to venture into a new place, take in a different culture, and perhaps look back one day and reflect on the whole experience."
The shootout will be held on December 18-19, 2008 inside the Kendall-Isaacs National Gymnasium. In addition to FSU, Mars Hills College, California University (Pa.), and the University of Charleston (WV) will round out the teams competing in the Bahamas Sunshine Shootout. Arrangements will be made for the Lady Broncos to stay at the Cable Beach - Sheraton Hotel in Nassau.
Coach Tucker and his coaching staff have been diligently attempting to raise funds to cover the expense of this trip. "A trip of this magnitude is too important to allow budget restrictions to keep us from embarking on this journey," commented Coach Tucker. "Sure it would be nice to see the Bahamas; but this is an awesome opportunity for our girls to see a different part of the world and for our team to generate more exposure for Fayetteville State."
