UK's Cliff Hagan Invites Fans To loin Cats On Basketball Trip To lapan This Summer
The University of Kentucky basketball team will travel to Japan this summer to participate in the Kirin World Basketball Tournament and play in at least four other games, it was announced last week by UK athletics director Cliff Hagan.
Hagan added that the University of Kentucky Athletics Association is inviting Kentucky fans to join the team during its journey to the Orient.
The tour will leave Lexington Wednesday, June 18 and fly to Tokyo. An elaborate Welcome Party is scheduled for Friday, June
20. The Wildcats will then make their third appearance in the Kirin Tournament on Saturday and Sunday, June 21-22. UK will be joined in the event by the national teams from Japan. Czechoslovakia and Finland.
The Wildcats will play Japanese teams at Sendai June 24, at Niigata June 26, at Ohtsu June 28 and at Sapporo June 29. A farewell celebration is set for June 30.
The tour group will split from the team after the game June 26 and fly to Bangkok. The tour group and the team will rejoin July 1 in Hong Kong, where the squad may play
another game on July 2. Details of that game are not final.
The entire group will return to Lexington July 4.
"We're excited about this trip," said Hagan. "It will be a once-in-a-lifetime educational and entertaining experience for our team and fans."
UK Coach Eddie Sutton says such trips are beneficial for two resons.
"First of all, it's a great learning experience," said Sutton. "Our players will have a chance to get a first-hand look at a different
culture and a different way of life. That's important. Secondly, it will make us a better basketball team. We'll have a chance to compete against some excellent competition. Plus, trips like this can bring a team closer together since they are traveling as a family for that two-week period."
Sutton said the team will begin 10 days of practice on June 8 in preparation for the trip.
According to Hagan, the cost of the trip for those accompanying the Wildcats will be approximately $3,000. For more information, contact Hagan's office at (606) 257-2881.
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