Aug. 20, 2001
Villanova Director of Publications Mike Sheridan is traveling with the men's basketball team in Italy. Here is his first entry from that country.
Wed, Aug. 15 Philadelphia
If you are beginning a new era, what better way to do it than on a new vessel?
Awaiting the Villanova Wildcats and the other passengers onboard a US Airways direct flight to Rome is an airbus apparently not far removed from the Boeing assembly line. It offers a bit more leg room in coach than your typical 747 - no small attraction for a group of men averaging 6-6 in height - and an indvidual video and audio package for each passenger. Pick your own movie or soundtrack and show time is whenever you choose.
Some Wildcats sleep on the overnight flight while others aren't so fortunate.
Junior guard Gary Buchanan was in that group.
"I did not get much sleep," he notes.
So he turned to the video screen before him. Among the offerings sampled was the film "Traffic" starring Michael Douglas, a popular choice among the Cats.
"It looked like it would have a lot of action,"Buchanan said, "but it really didn't. And it was long." We'll call that a thumbs down.
But the overall read on the flight was extremely positive.
Thursday, Aug. 16 Rome
Two representatives from Basketball Travelers, the Seattle-based firm sponsoring this trip, meet the Wildcats outside the baggage claim area. Soon the group is escorted outside to their transportation for the next 11 days, a Volvo coach bus. It, like the airbus, is brand new.
We are introduced to Gennaro, our driver, and Valentina, our interpreter.
By 9:45 a.m., we are underway, on the highway to Florence, a destination we are informed will take approximately three hours to reach.
Along the way Valentina brings us up to speed on some of the towns we are passing. As we ride through the region north of Rome we learn of the area's skill in producing chianti and how to recognize the best olive oil. Valentina also points out that August is vacation time in Italy and that many businesses close down for the entire month. (Memo to self: mention this custom at next athletic department staff meeting. It can't hurt.)
After an hour of driving we make a rest stop. The contingent mills through a restaurant-food store not unlike something you might find on the Pennsylvania Turnpike. The locals are patient as the visitors struggle with the native language and the nuances of understanding it.
Most of the Cats choose to stick with the familiar.
Junior forward Ricky Wright is spotted standing out front munching on some Pringles potato chips and sipping a Gatorade.
"Got to go with what you know," he says. Of course, Wright didn't totally dismiss Valentina's exhortations to sample new cuisine.
"Went with the Paprika-flavored Pringles," he adds with a laugh.
Soon we are back on the bus.
The ride is pleasant and before long many have nodded off. Gennaro won't be confused with Jeff Gordon. The pace is leisurely and we don't reach Firenze, as Florence is known in Italian, until after 2:00 p.m.
Before the room keys are handed out, head coach Jay Wright has some words of advice for his student-athletes.
"It's not a good idea to go to sleep," he states. "Check in and then take a walk outside. You want to be able to sleep tonight."
Florence 4:00 p.m.
Senior forward Brooks Sales and Buchanan take the coach at his word. After a quick change of clothes they are out in the warm summer air of Florence to soak in some of the local flavor.
They come upon an open-air market and more than a few eager salesmen.
"NBA?" one vendor asks.
"No, we're with Villanvoa University," Sales replies.
Overhearing this, a group of five college students walks up to the pair.
"We know Villanova," one says. "Alvin Williams, no?"
They explain they are Toronto natives and fans of Williams, VU class of 1997. Plus, they say they are eager to watch Michael Bradley, the Raptors' first round selection in last June's NBA draft. Meanwhile, the vendor is working hard on making a sale to Sales and Buchanan.
"This coat," he says in English while taking a leather jacket off the rack and gesturing to Sales, "is you."
Sales, though, politely declines the offer and moves along.
Later the players and two others locate a restaurant to have a late lunch. The woman at the counter patiently explains the options. Lasanga and sodas are the choice of all and the food is excellent. The only dilemma comes when the group of two students, a Villanova alumnus and Villanova staff member attempt to compute just how many lira it will take to pay for lunch. (The general rule of thumb is that 2,000 lira equals one dollar.)
"68,000 lira divded by four..."
Finally, it is Buchanan who helps the waitress understand that the check needs to be split four ways. The bill is paid and smiles abound.
And with that we are off, headed back to the hotel in time to meet the rest of our contingent for a walking tour of Florence at 6:00 p.m.
Friday, Aug. 17 Florence/Livorno
A morning of touring was capped by a look at the David, the world famous sculpture. In the afternoon the shopping enthusiasts sampled the many fine leather stores in the area.
Next comes the 90-minute ride to Livorno. Spotted near the exit here is a sign for the road to Elba - the island outpost to which Napoleon was dispatched after being tossed from France.
Gennaro - he of the light pedal foot - must be given his props for some artful driving on narrow streets not designed for large modern coach buses. After we pass through the tollgate, we pull off to the side of the road. We must await our escort, a young man on a scooter who will lead us into town. Within minutes Italy's answer to Robbie Knievel is on hand and we are led to the gym.
Inside the tiny gym it is a moist, humid night. The opposition squad is known as Sanpio X. Based in Milan, it is a 22-and-under unit that seems a bit in awe of the Wildcats. The logo on the front of their jerseys is a web address: www.imbecilli.it.
For those of you who know Italian - and those who are willing to make an educated guess - we are told that "imbecilli" is Italian for imbecile.
The outcome of the contest is never in doubt. Sophomore guard Derrick Snowden connects on a 3-point field goal to open the game and before five minutes are gone the Wildcats have a 16-6 edge. Sanpio X has difficulty containing the taller, stronger 'Cats on the interior. Ricky Wright and Sales have their way near the basket. Ricky Wirght will end the evening with 13 points and seven rebounds while Sales collects 11 rebounds and has four blocks.
At halftime VU is up 46-29.
The second half offers more of the same. Sophomore center Jair Veldhuis joins the fun inside, finishing the night with 13 points and nine rebounds. The biggest issue late in the game is the floor - the extreme heat creates wet spots everywhere and no almost every Wildcat takes a spill.
By night's end VU has a 85-68 win. More importantly, no one is injured.
"This was a good way for us to start," says Jay Wright. "We made some mistakes but we competed and I saw some good things."
As Jay Wright leaves the gym, an onlooker offers him a handshake.
"Congratulations," he says. "In future years you will be able to tell people that your first win as Villanova coach was over a bunch of imbeciles."
To come: visits to the coastal towns of Porto San Giorgio and Rimini.
