Facing competition outside of their home courts in northwestern Pennsylvania is a regular occurrence for Edinboro University’s women’s basketball team. It’s not often they play out of state, let alone out of the country. But that’s about to change.
Nine Fighting Scots will represent the University, the Commonwealth and the nation when they travel to Taiwan Sunday (Aug. 8) for 10 days of touring Taiwanese universities, building relationships with Edinboro’s partner institutions, exploring the culture and, most importantly, competing against some of Taiwan’s best basketball players – including one game against a men’s team.
With a deep-rooted understanding of the importance of a global education, Edinboro University President Jeremy D. Brown has made it his mantra to take Edinboro to the world and bring the world to Edinboro. The goodwill trip is the result of the relationships Brown and the University have developed with universities and schools in Taiwan, Korea, Russia, China, Poland and Panama, among others.*
“The University gains in both intangible and measurable ways in embarking upon such a goodwill tour of Taiwanese universities,” Brown said. “In today’s global economy and world-wide marketplace, healthy athletic competition – as evidenced by the recent World Cup soccer event – has become a universal language of acceptance by all ethnicities, all races, all peoples.”
Brown added, “Many, if not most of our students, have never actually been away from home in that they haven’t left the United States. Foreign lands offer the perfect medium for incredible learning adventures, whether it’s a year abroad, a term overseas, or a team visit.”
In fact, this will be the first trip oversees for the Fighting Scots as well as for many of the players.
“I am extremely excited about the opportunity to take our Women’s Basketball Team to Taiwan,” said Head Coach Stan Swank. “Not only will we get the chance to practice and play five games, but our players will be afforded an exciting view of another culture.”
Swank said with the combination of playing games and taking advantage of several site-seeing opportunities, Edinboro players will receive a tremendous education and insight into another country’s culture and its many attributes in education, government, religion and general lifestyles.
“It will be amazing to see the National Palace and Taipei 101 (at one time the world’s tallest building), as well as some of the museums and observing a Chinese Cooking Class.
“I have been at Edinboro University for 23 years and this is the first venture to another continent. I believe the foresight of Dr. Brown in sending our team to Taiwan to garner a cultural exchange of people and ideas is very progressive toward obtaining global understanding and a commitment to diverse education.”
Forward Kelsey Conklin says she’s “thrilled” to represent Edinboro University.
“I’m really excited to be going to Taiwan. I think it will be an incredible experience, both culturally and from a basketball standpoint,” she said. “It will be nice to play with everyone one last time. We had a close team a year ago, but I think this will really help the team bond as we get ready for this season.”
Swank hopes this will become a regular opportunity every four years to enhance recruiting of student-athletes to Edinboro.
“I am equally excited about the chance to begin preparing for our 2010-2011 season with seven returning players – being able to practice, play games, and bond together into a cohesive team. The amount of practice time and games allowed according to NCAA rules will be a huge benefit for our team in the upcoming season. In addition, maybe I will find a future Fighting Scot when we play in Taipei!”
