Bears Travel to Italy

Head coach Bill Mitchell has been planning and saving for this trip for many years. "We’ve raised money from our tournaments and camps and we’ve received donations from our alumni," said Mitchell.

"This will be a once-in-a-lifetime experience for our players, and we have a great group coming back. We’re excited about the trip to Italy and how it will help us with the upcoming season," said Mitchell.

"This is one of the best groups of people I have ever had," added Mitchell, "Not just good basketball players, but good citizens and good students as well."

With 14 returning players, Mitchell foresees this trip as being a very unifying experience for his team.

The following is the itinerary for the nine-day Italian tour.

Day 1, Monday, Aug. 16
Montreal

The SUNY Potsdam Bears Basketball Team travels to Montreal International Airport and boards AIR FRANCE transatlantic flight #345, departing at 5:55 p.m. for the overnight flight to Paris.

Day 2, Tuesday, Aug. 17
Paris/Milan/Venice

The Bears arrive in Paris at 6:25 a.m. and transfer to connecting AIR FRANCE flight #1114, departing at 7:45 a.m. for Milan. At 9:15 a.m., the team arrives in Milan, where it is met by the tour manager and driven to Venice, the city of canals, gondolas and singing gondoliers. The remainder of the day is free for relaxation and sightseeing. Later that evening, the team gathers for a welcome dinner.
HOTEL: GRAND HOTEL PRINCIPE

Day 3, Wednesday, Aug. 18
Venice

Wednesday in Venice the Bears have a guided walking tour across the Piazzetta and past the Doge’s Palace into St. Mark’s square, the hub of the city’s life and one of the world’s finest squares. The team sees the Campanile of St. Mark, visits St. Mark’s Church and walks through the narrow streets filled with bustling activity. During the afternoon, the players have an opportunity to take a ride in a gondola and also visit the Murano Glass Factory, where they can see the famous Venetian glass being hand-made. Later that evening, the Potsdam Bears face the local Italian team for Game I of the tour.

Day 4, Thursday, Aug.19
Venice/Padua/Florence

This morning’s journey takes the Bears west to Padua, a city packed with art treasures and handsome medieval buildings. The team visits the Scrovegni Chapel, world-famous for its complete covering of frescoes painted by Giotto in 1304. In addition, the team sees the Basilica of St. Anthony with its high altar rich in bronze created by Donatello. The Bears then continue south to Florence, the “Cradle of the Renaissance,” and for many, one of the most exciting cities in the world.
HOTEL: HOTEL RIVOLI

Day 5, Friday, Aug. 20
Florence

Friday’s sightseeing tour begins in the city where some of the greatest art of all time flourished--The Cathedral of St. Maria del Fiore; the Baptistery, famous for the three gilded bronze doors with relief decoration; the Piazza della Signoria, the former forum of the Republic; and the Academy of Fine Arts to see Michelangelo’s "David." The Bears walk across the Ponte Vecchio, one of the world’s most famous bridges now lined with shops. Later that evening, Potsdam meets the local Italian team for Game II of the tour.

Day 6, Saturday, Aug. 21
Florence/Assisi/Rome

Today, the team travels south through beautiful countryside to Assisi, often called too pretty to be real. The Bears walk along the narrow, steep streets to the famous Basilica of St. Francis, actually two superimposed churches. The walls of the lower church are still covered with the original frescoes of Martini and the Saints tomb is here. In the upper Basilica are the unforgettable frescoes of Cimabue and Giotto depicting the life of St. Francis. After the tour, the team continues on to the “Eternal City“ of Rome. Later that evening, Potsdam faces the local Italian team for Game III of the tour.
HOTEL: DELTA

Day 7, Sunday, Aug. 22
Rome

During the morning sightseeing tour of Ancient Rome, the team sees the Circus Maximus, the Imperial Forums, the Arch of Titus, the Pantheon, and the Arch of Constantine. The Bears have the afternoon free to enjoy Rome at their own pace. Later that evening, the team gathers for a team dinner.

Day 8, Monday, Aug. 23
Rome

On Monday, the team tours the Vatican Museum with its priceless art treasures and stop at the famous Sistine Chapel where Michelangelo worked 4 1/2 years lying on his back at what was to become one of the greatest masterpieces ever produced, the Story of the Creation. That evening, Potsdam meets the Orvieto Basketball Team for Game IV of the tour.

Day 9, Tuesday, Aug. 24
Rome/Paris/Montreal

The Bears board AIR FRANCE flight # 2305, departing at 7:10 a.m. for Paris. They arrive in Paris at 9:15 a.m. The team has some free time to relax or shop at the Paris Airport before boarding AIR FRANCE transatlantic flight #344, departing at 1:30 p.m. and returning to the United States. The flight is due to arrive in Montreal at 3:00 p.m.