Aug. 3, 2005
This is the third in a series of occasional pieces by Villanova director of media relations Mike Sheridan detailing the travels of Villanova's representatives with USA Basketball - head coach Jay Wright and senior guards Randy Foye and Allan Ray.
On a warm summer day Randy Foye is immersed in one of the rituals of winter. It is early afternoon in Colorado Springs and he is headed toward a coach bus with his teammates, in this case, members of the 2005 World University Games unit that will represent the United States in Turkey later in the month.
It was announced on Wednesday that Foye had earned his window seat on this exclusive coach during the recently completed Trials here.
On this day the bus is not headed to the airport. That will come on Friday, when the squad begins its long sojourn to Turkey. Today, the team is headed up the road to the Denver Nuggets practice facility for a workout in advance of their departure.
For his part, Foye is delighted to be along for the ride which will take him right up to the resumption of fall classes at Villanova later this month.
"I'm real happy about it," states Foye. "I know Curtis (Sumpter) made it last summer and ARay did it last week and now I've done it too. It's something we've all accomplished together, like reaching the 1,000 point level in the same year. It feels good."
Although he toured Europe with a college all-star team in 2004, Foye understood immediately upon his arrival that this was different. He was surrounded by some of the biggest names in the college game, including Duke's Shelden Williams, Boston College's Craig Smith, and Syracuse's Gerry McNamara. There were 14 players competing for 12 spots on the team.
"It is a different environment," Foye states. "Everyone is a great player. As soon as you get here you can feel that the tempo on the court is different. There's so much intensity because all of these guys are among the best players at their position in the country.
"I kind of struggled with that at first. But as we spent more time here, things started to fall into place."
Foye was not alone. Each of the athletes had to adjust to the altitude in Colorado Springs. It is not uncommon for elite athletes to gasp like middle-aged couch potatoes in their first hours that far above sea level. Foye says his body noticed the transition.
"I think everyone had to get used to that," he says. "I know it took me some time to adjust. It's so dry up here."
In fact, Foye apologized to his interviewer for the sound of his voice. The native of Newark, N.J., picked up a summer cold during his stint here that he is only now beginning to shake.
Another twist to Foye's week here was his role as team leader. By virtue of the fact he plays for Team USA coach Jay Wright at Villanova, his peers have sought him out for advice.
"We are running a lot of the same stuff we do at Villanova," states Foye. "I think that may have put me a step ahead early on. A lot of the guys had questions and I tried to show them what I could."
Wright says Foye has handled it all with aplomb.
"Randy has been great," Wright states. "He earned his spot on this team with his play here and has been one of the best guards at the camp. I'm happy for him.
"I'm also very proud of the leader Randy has been here. He's really been helpful to the other guys on the team and our coaching staff because he has such a great understanding of our system. He's been a very good leader."
As Wright noted earlier this week, it can be awkward for a player to be mentored by the same coach who teaches him throughout the school year. Foye, though, has taken the role in stride.
"At first, it was kind of like playing for your Dad," says Foye. "We know each other so well. You just have to adjust to this new environment and I think I did that."
Foye learned that he had made the team late on Aug. 2. However, he resisted the urge to call home because of the late hour in the eastern United States. When he spoke from the team bus, he had yet to reach family and friends back in Newark and at Villanova. But he was confident they were following matters on the internet.
One advantage of being in Colorado Springs is that it serves as the training base for a wide range of Olympic sports. Foye and his teammates have watched other top-shelf athletes in action in their stint here.
"Out here you are under the USA Olympic banner and there is a whole bunch of elite athletes," Foye says. "It's been cool to see that."
As for his upcoming expedition to Turkey, Foye is excited. He will compete against some of the best amateur basketball players in the world while representing his country. Of course, he also noted that the USA Basketball staff informed the team that recent temperatures in that area have reached 106 degrees.
"If those gyms don't have air conditioning," he says with a laugh, "it could be pretty hot."
No worries, though. Foye used to stuffy summer gyms and is only too eager to take another step in his basketball education.
"My role is pretty much what it is at Villanova," he stats. "I just need to defend and rebound and the rest will take care of itself.
"Just tell the Villanova fans that I'm not only representing myself and my country, but also my school. Thanks for all of their support."
