Men's Basketball Team to Travel to Costa Rica

 

 

3.19.07

 

 

 

La Grande, Ore – Returning 12 players and fresh off of the best season in school history, The Mountie Basketball team has even more to look forward to.  Head Coach Ryan Looney will be taking his team to San Jose, Costa Rica in August.

 

 

The squad, witch returns five players that started at least 12 games last season, will spend eight days and seven nights in Central America, playing four games against international competition.  However, it won’t all be business for Eastern.  The trip will also feature whitewater rafting and a canopy trip.

 

In addition to all of that, The Mountaineers will take time out for a community service project that is yet to be determined.  Options include visiting orphanages and/or helping local communities.

 

Coach Looney has seen a lot of changes in the program since his first season when the Mountaineers finished 4-22.  The following season, with a roster that was almost completely turned over, Eastern had one of the biggest turnarounds in college basketball going 17-11. 

 

 

In his third season the Mounties finished with a school record 23 wins to just 8 losses and advanced to the Conference Tournament Championship.

 

 

Now, with most of the team returning and the future looking bright, the team will have an opportunity to build chemistry in a unique environment. 

 

According to Coach Looney, “This trip will give us a chance to work together for two weeks this summer in preparation for the upcoming season.  It will also give the individuals on our team an opportunity to experience a different culture.”   “I’m excited that our student athletes will get to do something as part of our basketball program that they will remember for the rest of their lives.”

 

The funding for the trip is being covered by an anonymous gift to the University Foundation for this specific use and the team will be responsible for conducting fundraising to cover the additional costs. No general fund or student fee dollars will be used.

 

 

EOU Home   |   Athletics Home