Hamden, CT -- The Quinnipiac University women's basketball will embark on a trip to Europe for additional practice time and competition against quality opponents next week. The 10-day endeavor from August 10-20 will benefit a mixture of veterans and newcomers as the team nears the 2012-13 campaign.
""We are thrilled and excited to be part of a special opportunity to travel abroad this summer," head coach Tricia Fabbri said. "This trip represents an opportunity to grow together as a team and to really experience and observe a part of the world that we might not otherwise be able to. We are so thankful for this wonderful opportunity to enhance the academic experience at Quinnipiac."
College basketball teams are allowed to participate in preseason international trips every four years and Head Coach Tricia Fabbri said the timing couldn't be better for Quinnipiac. The Bobcats bring back all but two players from last year's roster, with three newcomers eligible to compete for playing time this season.
Quinnipiac will play three exhibition games against Italian teams throughout the week. The Bobcats open competition against an All-Star Team out of Florence on Tuesday, August 14 at 7:30 p.m. From there, QU heads to Mestre to take on Pallacanestro Montecchio on Friday, August 17. Montecchio finished the 2011-12 campaign with a 15-7 record and is a member of the Italian B1 League. The Bobcats wrap up competition on Saturday, August 18 in Como against Amici del Campetto. The 6:30 p.m. tilt concludes a brutal week for ADC, as the club will take on Arkansas, Tennessee and Purdue leading up to the clash with Quinnipiac.
Along with competition overseas comes a temporary adaptation to rules and guidelines. Quinnipiac will endure International Basketball Federation (FIBA) regulations, a rulebook quite different from NCAA basketball. Most notably will be the four 10-minute quarters opposed to 20-minutes halves and a 24-second shot-clock opposed to the 30-second shot-clock they are used to. There is also a slight adjustment in the three-point line and an eight-second backcourt violation.
Included in the trip will be a myriad of educational experiences for the team as well. Upon arrival on Saturday morning, the Bobcats will tour the Colosseum in Rome, considered to be one of the greatest works of Roman architecture and Roman engineering. Throughout the week, members of the team will visit other renowned sites such as the Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain, Pantheon, Piazza Navonna, Vatican Museum, Ponte Vecchio, Uffizi Gallery, Leaning Tower of Piza, Olympic Theater, Juliet's Balcony and more.
Fans interested in checking in with the Bobcats during the trip can visit, www.QuinnipiacBobcats.com. Quinnipiac University Sports Information will provide photos and video of the team's experiences throughout the week.
The Bobcats open the 2012-13 season in Virginia at James Madison on November 10. Fans interested in purchasing season tickets for the upcoming campaign can call the QU Ticket Office at 203-582-3905, visit the official website of Quinnipiac athletics, www.QuinnipiacBobcats.com or make a trip to the TD Bank Sports Center Ticket Office.