Basketball coaches travel overseas to say 'thanks'

Photo By Dustin Senger | Orlando Early, University of Louisiana-Monroe men's basketball head coach, and Agnus Berenato, University of Pittsburg women's basketball head coach, meet U.S. Army Master Sgt. Wenford Coleman, from Opelika, Ala., at Camp As Sayliyah, Qatar, Aug. 11. The National Collegiate Athletic Association basketball coaches traveled overseas to offer U.S. troops gratitude and encouragement, along with three other NCAA basketball coaches. Next, the five coaches will travel to several locations in Afghanistan, where they will attempt to make two stops per day, according to a representative with Koeberle and Associates, the sports marketing agency coordinating the trip.  

CAMP AS SALIYAH, QATAR

08.11.2009

Story by Dustin Senger 

Area Support Group - Qatar

CAMP AS SAYLIYAH, Qatar — "Thank you so much," said Duggar Baucom, Virginia Military Institute men's basketball head coach, while greeting a group of U.S. service members at Camp As Sayliyah, Qatar, Aug. 11. "Thank you for what you do and thank you for being over here. I want you to know, people back home appreciate you."

Baucom traveled overseas to offer U.S. troops gratitude and encouragement, along with four other National Collegiate Athletic Association basketball coaches: Mike Smith, Jacksonville State University; Billy Kennedy, Murray State University; Agnus Berenato, University of Pittsburg; and Orlando Early, University of Louisiana-Monroe.

The five college basketball coaches' 10-day tour started at the Qatar base, where the only authorized U.S. Central Command rest and recuperation pass program provides a brief four-day respite for war fighters in Southwest Asia. Next, they will travel to several locations in Afghanistan, where they will attempt to make two stops per day, according to a representative with Koeberle and Associates, the sports marketing agency coordinating the trip. The actual number will depend on available assets and local threat levels, the official stated.

"I love watching college ball," said U.S. Army Master Sgt. Wenford Coleman, from Opelika, Ala., after meeting the NCAA basketball coaches. "In college, they play more defensive than in professional games — it's much more exciting. Teams are full of young players who are trying to balance sports, education and family life. It's a big juggle and many don't make it to the next level."

"The coach from Pittsburg mentioned that some of her prospects came from my high school," said Staff Sgt. Bryan Smith, from Philadelphia, Pa., after talking with Berenato. "I tried to play basketball at Simon Gratz High School, but I always felt like the small guy. That changed after I joined the Army. Now, I feel like I can do anything." Smith is a medical logistics personnel sergeant currently serving his second deployment to the Middle East at the Qatar base.

"It's always great for the soldiers to meet people they admire or appreciate," said Lt. Col. Jeff Bruns, from Cuba, Mo. He is the installation chaplain who arranges spiritual support for service members at Camp As Sayliyah. "It's a lift for the soldiers to know people are thinking about them and willing to travel this far just to say 'thanks.'"

• Date Taken: 08.11.2009
• Date Posted: 08.11.2009 10:11
• Story ID: 37364
• Location: CAMP AS SALIYAH, QA