UpDate - Vol. 12, No. 17, Page 13
January 21, 1993
Japan trip a cultural bonus for University basketball team

     Halfway around the world and back in six days, the Blue Hen hoopsters
returned from the NCAA Ball Tournament in Tokyo in December, with two
victories and one defeat.
     The team was defeated in its first game by tournament champion Xavier
University of Cincinnati, 74-66, but went on to post a victory over Rice
University, 71-65, and the All-Japan College Team, 102-56, before capacity
crowds at the 10,000-seat Metropolitan Gymnasium.
     Winning further accolades, senior center Spencer Dunkley was one of
the top five players selected for the all-tournament team.
     According to coach Steve Steinwedel, Delaware was approached last year
about playing in the tournament, which is funded by Daiwa Securities in
Tokyo and organized by Teleplanning Inc. in New York.
     Although Steinwedel has been involved in several basketball
tournaments, camps and clinics in Europe and Asia during his career in
basketball, this was the first time the Blue Hens played in an
international tournament.
     The competition was a festive event, he said, with ceremonies, similar
to the Olympics. Unlike basketball games in the United States, bands played
music during game time, including Delaware's Fight Song.
     "The Japanese have good physical skills, are good shooters and are
non-stop players," Steinwedel said.
     Ricky Deadwyler, a senior from Wilmington, said it was a great
opportunity to see another culture on the opposite side of the world. The
Japanese are very disciplined, work hard for long hours, take pride in
their work and are very friendly, Deadwyler said.
     Dunkley said the tournament was a two-way cultural exchange, with the
Japanese learning about Americans as well as Americans learning about the
Japanese.
     "Japanese fans are less emotional than Americans and are quieter. But
toward the end of the tournament, we got them more involved. I met a lot of
new people, including those from the other American teams, and made new
friendships," he said.
     Team member Kevin Blackhurst called Tokyo an incredible and impressive
city, particularly at night. The 14-hour flight to Japan was long but worth
it. "Basketball is a growing sport in Japan. They like American players and
are excited about the game," he said.
     Allan Waterfield, dean of the College of Physical Education, Athletics
and Recreation, accompanied the Blue Hen team. He also was invited for a
corporate visit to Daiwa Securities. Of the trip, he said, "It was truly a
cultural exchange and an eye-opening, positive experience. The tournament
was well-organized; nothing was left to chance. The Japanese are more
formal but very courteous. When the students look back on their college
life in years to come, the trip to Tokyo will be among their best and most
important memories."
                                        -Sue Swyers Moncure