By Dr. Matt Robinson (In photo below - standing, second from left)
Professor of Sport Management, Director of International Sport Institute, University of Delaware

Day Eight Anatolia Tour 2007 (June 21)
Trip Preview / Day One Blog / Day Two Blog / Day Three Blog / Day Four Blog / Day Five Blog / Day Six Blog / Day Seven Blog / Day Eight Blog - Wrapup
Photos Gallery from Turkey

Eight days.
Ten thousand miles.
Seven time zones.
Six days on a bus.
Five hotels.
Three-hundred basketballs donated.
Two-hundred basketballs pumped in the back of a bus.
Four basketball baskets erected.
Eight two-hour clinics and/or practices.
One camel ride.
One swim in the Mediterranean Sea.
One 18-hour day.
No Balloon Rides.
One Case of Food Poisoning.
And too many smiles of Turkish girl hoopsters to count.

I will apologize in advance if this blog is not coherent, but it is hard to concentrate when in the background you are hearing Courtney Irving singing the theme song for Sponge Bob Square Pants, and the rest of the group completely butchering a medley of Motown’s greatest hits!!!

Anyway, the tour is over and we are heading home. There are so many lasting images, so many people to thank, so many stories to tell, and so many memories that will last a life time.

Two prevailing thoughts for me throughout the trip were of those individuals who so easily and readily point to the ills of intercollegiate athletics and its athletes and coaches and use those ills as the frame of reference for all of intercollegiate athletics.

For those who subscribe to this school of thought, I wish they could have spent these eight days in Turkey so they could see the passion and enthusiasm of three female intercollegiate athletes, a former graduate assistant, and two of the best intercollegiate college coaches in the country, and their willingness to share their knowledge, experience and good will.

Secondly, I believe even stronger than before in the power of sport to break down cultural barriers, promote cooperation across cultures, and to create lifetime friendships with those who may not speak our language, practice our religion, or eat our food.   

This special group was exceptional ambassadors on so many levels. They represented themselves, their families, the University of Delaware Women’s basketball program, the game of basketball, the UD Athletic Department, the academic units of the University, the University as a whole, as well as the United States of America in a manner that words can not do justice.

The goal of the trip was to promote sport participation for young girls in Turkey where the opportunities in sport for girls are not as abundant as in the United States. The UD contingent embodies what can be achieved through sport not only on the court but more importantly in life. Each of them is a role model for the girls we met and each girl we met was challenged to continue in basketball and to pursue their dreams in life.

There was no doubt in my mind that the message got through, you only had to look in the eyes of the young girls as we left the gyms each day or the look of respect when it was shared that in the UD group all either had or were getting were their undergraduate degrees. There were two with graduate degrees, one starting graduate school, two earning a living as coaches, one working for the game of basketball in Turkey, one with a dream to play professional basketball overseas, and another with aspirations to go to law school.

I was inspired on a daily basis by the actions and deeds of the group. On a day that we were overbooked and I wanted to cancel an informal discussion with young girls, it was Alena Koshansky who protested and said it wouldn’t be right and then they stayed up to 1 a.m. talking and sharing with a group of 14-16 year old players about life in the U.S. and the girls shared their experiences of living in Turkey.  

Keep in mind, that was a day that they had been up at 4:30 a.m., drove over 250 miles, had participated in a panel discussion, and ran two two-hour clinics. I saw Kyle DeHaven on one day and Associate Head Coach Jeanine Radice on another fight through headaches during practices and when each was asked if she wanted to take a break, both refused.

Coach Tina Martin led every practice and gave the same 100% effort in everyone one. I was actually getting tired of Coach Martin saying, “Just tell me what they want me to do.” And then after she did it, she would ask “Was that OK.”

None of the sessions were OK, they were all brilliant. Courtney Irving kept everyone loose with her wit and easy going sense of humor and she didn’t leave a gym until every young girl got their autograph and a hug or kiss.

Tugba (Karagulle) was on the court for every session translating so that the players and coaches in the crowd could understand. Their actions say so much about the UD women’s basketball program on an individual basis as well as a whole and I am still not sure if they are bigger winners on the court or off.

To see the young girls respond to the players was inspiring. When sessions were over, the Turkish girls kissed the UD hoopsters, asked them to autograph their balls and posters, and took pictures for memories. On one occasion the girls from the team presented the group with flowers.

I was told that there are not many female basketball coaches in Turkey. Coach Martin and Radice served as role models for those older females players who watched the practices. I have to think there were many of those girls who see Coaches Martin and Radice and believe they too can be a coach one day.

I should add, that I like to think that I am a competent teacher, but watching Coach Martin and Radice teach was a humbling experience.  They broke down, explained, demonstrated, and made sure that the coaches understood principles and the players were able to execute the skill. They were always the last two on the bus to leave as coaches kept asking questions on the session they just had run.

The other important aspect of the trip was the cooperation between people from two different cultures. Our friends from the Turkish Basketball Federation were with us every step of the way and the local clubs spoiled us with hospitality.

We all only have the highest regards for our TBF friends Turgay, Ali, Emir, Merhat, Dilvin, Sabina, Sumat, and Tolga as well as the club managers and coaches. They believed in the program and did everything possible to make it happen. They made all of the on-ground arrangements and promoted the event around the country.

A great example of this cooperation was the day of the basket donation. It was Emir and Tugba’s idea, the players wrote the grant to the UD Alumni Association, Emir got the baskets ordered and shipped, Murat identified the best location for the baskets (a school yard that had broken down baskets), and the local club had them erected.

Looking around the playground that day, there was a sense of accomplishment but no one was interested in taking the credit for it happening. UCLA basketball coach John Wooden stated once that it is amazing what can be accomplished when no one is interested in taking credit. The baskets being erected was a testament to the statement.

I have the blessings to have been working with the TBF for close to four years and they are the best at what they do. I consider Dr. Emir Turam a close personal friend from the projects we have worked on together. I hope there are many more projects to come.

Finally, understand that this was not a one-sided experience. As Alena stated one day to a group we met, “We have received much more than we have given.” The trip to Cappadocia and underground city and early Christian churches built into the mountains, learning the language, eating the food, bartering in the Grand Bazaar, and visiting the Blue Mosque and St. Sophia all were invaluable learning experiences. Experiences you just don’t get in the traditional classroom.

During the trip, I was reading a biography of Albert Einstein. Einstein viewed higher education not as presentation and remembrance of facts, but rather an experience in learning how to learn.  It is hoped that we all have learned how to learn about other cultures by respecting and accepting their language, customs, and traditions and recognizing that our way is not better only different. The mutual respect for cultures is an important step to people coming together and putting difference aside.

Before leaving for the trip, I was lamenting the fact that I was passing on complimentary tickets to attend the U.S. Golf Open at Oakmont, PA. Paul Pusecker in the UD Dean’s Office of Arts and Sciences was ever so gracious to take them off my hands. I know I would have enjoyed seeing Tiger play, but I know I am better person for having spent the eight days with this exceptional group of women, my colleague but more importantly my friend, Dr. David Barlow, his son Jeff, my son Cullen, and our good friends in Turkey.

Part of our program was funded through a grant from the UD College of Arts and Sciences that support experiences that are to be transformational for students.

Dean Apple, you will have to ask Kyle, Courtney and Alena if they were transformed, but I do know two college professors, an international basketball federation staff, and several hundred Turkish girls were transformed by the actions and deeds of these exceptional students.

The U.S. Department of State also funded the program. As stated earlier, this group did its part in promoting goodwill with an international friend. To the Center for International Studies, here is another group of students who have broadened themselves from an international experience that you helped to provide.

To the Alumni Association, I know the kids in Turkey appreciate the courts and balls your funds provided. So to Tina, Jeanine, Alena, Kyle and Courtney, and to all of those who followed our travels on the blog, I can only say, “Two scoops of sugar and a cream!!!!"