VMI head basketball coach Dan Earl announced that the 2017-18 Keydet basketball squad will travel to Europe next summer to compete in several exhibition games during a nine-day excursion.
The trip is scheduled to take place August 3-11, 2017 and the Keydets are tentatively slated to visit Belgium, The Netherlands, France, and England.
“We are thrilled to have this opportunity to take our VMI basketball team overseas,” said Earl. “There are so many benefits to the trip. Certainly, in terms of basketball, the extra practices and the game experience are invaluable. Furthermore, the cultural experience is awesome. Our players will be able to see and experience things that will last a lifetime. I want to thank Dr. Diles and General Peay for all of their support in making this trip a reality and for constantly doing all that they do to help advance our VMI basketball program.”
VMI will play three games against club teams in Belgium with games scheduled in Brussels, Bruges, and the port city of Antwerp.
The Keydets will also visit several European cultural and historical sites while overseas and spend days sightseeing in both Paris and London.
“The trip to Europe in Summer of 2017 will be incredibly educational for our team members; and it will certainly provide a great opportunity for additional practice, competition and development,” said VMI Athletics Director Dr. Dave Diles. “It’s my hope that we can provide this opportunity on an ongoing basis for our basketball program. Coach Earl and his staff continue to do a remarkable job advancing VMI basketball and clearly support the mission of the Institute.”
NCAA rules permit an overseas team trip once every four years. The trip to Europe, coordinated in partnership with Global Sports Academy, will be the first of its kind in the history of the VMI basketball program.
“I have been fortunate enough to have had the opportunity to take trips like this as a player and a coach – and the rewards are incredible,” said Earl.
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