With every passing year, college sports teams send off athletes– through graduation or otherwise – to do bigger and better things, and introduce new recruits. This endless cycle lends somewhat of a fleeting element to college athletics, which is why team building year after year is so important to team dynamic.
The DePaul men’s basketball team traveled to France for a 10-day excursion, a trip titled “In the Footsteps of St. Vincent,” where they visited Paris, Toulouse and Nice, and won all four of their exhibition games. The trip was not only meant to immerse the players in the history of St. Vincent de Paul, but also presented the men a valuable bonding experience.
Head Coach Oliver Purnell stated three goals he hoped the team would accomplish while overseas. The first goal involved the team’s immersion in the history of St. Vincent de Paul, and gaining a better understanding of the French culture both past and present.
“We really wanted the guys to have a fulfilling experience in France, learning about the history and culture there,” said Purnell. “I was pleased and actually surprised at how much the guys really opened their eyes and appreciated the rich history the country has to that.”
With such inexperience, Melvin and Young have taken the freshmen under their wings and groom them to be composed basketball players.
“They’re really going through the same thing when I was freshman,” said Young.
Melvin echoed this attitude he and the veterans have adopted.
“I let them know it’s gonna be a tough year for us, and everyone obviously needs to come in, work hard and play their role. But they’ve been listening – they’re young guys that can play, so everything’s