Follow the Titans throughout their 2009 Summer exhibition tour of Spain!
Day 11 (Saturday, Aug. 29) - UDM Athletic Director Keri Gaither
This trip has been an amazing experience in so many ways. To watch these young men, most of whom have never been outside the U.S. before, embrace this opportunity to learn about the history and culture of another country through the game of basketball, was very special.
Spending 11 days with the group, traveling through the cities and towns of this beautiful country, has brought us all closer. Not only by learning about the Spanish people, but also about ourselves and each other. I was pleased with the way the team came together on the court, but also as a family off the floor. Stepping up and helping each other out in new and different situations that they had never been a part of before, was special to see.
I enjoyed observing the players interact with the locals, who often spoke very little, or no, English.
Seeing Thomas Kennedy barter his way through buying pistachios in an open air market with a Spanish woman who didn't understand a word he said… it was terrific when he came away with 2 Euros worth of nuts.
Watching the young kids as well as adults surround Eli, asking him for his autograph and to have photos taken with him, made me smile. Surviving Chase's silly tricks and pranks made me laugh on several occasions.
Seeing the looks of surprise and delight as the team walked together on the streets of Barcelona was gratifying.
Experiencing the exchange of T-Shirts and jerseys between the Titans and the host teams came with a real sense of sportsmanship.
Witnessing these young men mature and persevere on the court, especially in their last game, battling back to claim victory, was exhilarating.
I know the student-athletes have learned many valuable lessons during this trip from coach McCallum and his staff, all of which have been taken to heart.
These lessons will carry over to the court as well as the classroom. So with all of this, I could not be more proud of this team. Our players have accepted and embraced the experience with appreciation and grace. Thank you to Fr. Stockhausen, Michael Joseph and the many generous people who made this trip possible. You have given these young men an experience of a lifetime and I think you will also be very proud of the fruits of this labor.
Adios,
Keri
Day 11 (Saturday, Aug. 29) - Xavier Keeling (junior forward)
Overall, we had a great time in Spain. We grew as a team and formed a winning attitude. What can I say? I really think we found our identity. We are ready for this season and for Jason, Curtis, Lamar, John and LaMarcus to join this team. This is going to be an exciting year.
I'm tired. I don't know what else to say. We're in Philadelphia waiting to catch our plane to Detroit and that was a really long flight from Madrid back to America. There is nothing like being back home.
Thank you to everyone who made this possible. We can't thank you enough. We are looking forward to seeing you in Calihan Hall this winter. God Bless and Go Titans.
Day 10 (Friday, Aug. 28) - Donavan Foster (sophomore guard)
We took a long bus ride to Madrid yesterday and toured the city. We had our pre-game meal today at TGI Friday’s. Deron, our tour guide who has helped us with every aspect of this trip, told us we would lose our final game and it was great to prove him wrong after a very tough game.
After this game, I thought about it for a minute and realized that tonight's game was the first in two years that I've ever seen Thomas Kennedy dive for a loose ball. That shows you how much we wanted this game. Xavier was hitting shots and Woody provided a spark off the bench. It'll be exciting to take the things we've learned about how to win games over here, back home with us.
I'm looking forward to adding the new guys when we get back home. They will be such a huge addition to our team and I am planning on the Titans going from worst to first in the Horizon League. Can't wait to get home. Over ‘N Out.
Day 9 (Thursday, Aug. 27) - Eugene Blue (senior center)
Spain is an amazing place. I have had a great experience in all three cities and it has been fun to play the games over here. I enjoy taking these tours and learning the history of these cities that we are in.
I am very excited for our final game tomorrow. I am looking forward to wrapping this trip up with one more W. We have truly come together as a team and this is going to be a very exciting year for the Detroit Titans. Get Ready.
GO TITANS!
Day 9 (Thursday, Aug. 27) - Jordan Fee (sophomore guard)
Today was pretty uneventful compared to the rest of this trip. After a long bus ride we were excited to be in Madrid and we realized early on how big of a city it is. After a tour of the city, we were able to relax at our hotel and catch the Spanish National team and Ricky Rubio take on the Polish National team in the European Championships. I can't wait for our last game tomorrow. It is exciting to see us grow as a team both on and off the floor. Hopefully we will come home with a perfect record and a better understanding of what it takes to win. I can't wait to get home and add Jason, Curtis, Lamar, John and LaMarcus to the mix and see what we can accomplish.
Shout out to all of our boosters and fans. Thank you so much for supporting us and get ready for what will be a very exciting season. GO TITANS!
Day 8 (Wednesday, Aug. 26) - Thomas Kennedy (senior forward)
My experience on this trip has been incredible. I have experienced a lot from the culture, to the language, to the food and the basketball. Barcelona was a lot of fun and it seemed like the city that never slept. They had great ice cream. The hotels have been nice, but the beds are small and the bathrooms have no doors.
Things are different over here. We went to a dolphin show when we arrived in Valencia and that was very cool. It's been great to win these games that we have played. After our win tonight against Lliria, the host team prepared a little post-game meal with small sandwiches and chips and drinks. It was very good and they were very generous to us. That's about it for now from me.
Shout out to my family and all of my friends back home. All of our teammates back home, we are doing this with you all on our minds and can't wait to have you join us. See you soon.
Day 7 (Tuesday, Aug. 25) - Eulis Stephens (senior guard)
This has been a great experience coming to Spain. Everything is different over here from the culture, to the food, to the game of basketball. The style of play is very different. It is more up and down, which I think is good for us because that is one of our strengths. This trip is really bringing us together as a team and we feel like we can do anything, ’cause at times it feels like it is us against the world.
To John, Lamar, Curtis, Jason and LaMarcus, we are looking forward to seeing you soon. Y’all will be with us soon and we will all be getting this done together. Shout out to my mom, Derek, niece and nephew, dad, all my family back at home who have supported me and helped me get to where I am today. Titan Fans get ready for this season. God Bless you all.
Day 6 (Monday, Aug. 24) - Chase Simon (sophomore guard)
It's been a long day. We traveled from Barcelona to Valencia by bus. Once we got to Valencia, we went to an aquarium and saw all types of fish and sharks. We saw walruses that looked like Eugene Blue, just a little bigger, and penguins that looked like Woody Payne. We also saw an incredible dolphin show with synchronized swimmers.
Overall, it was a long day and now it is over. I can rest up tonight and I cannot wait for the game tomorrow. Shout out to the lodge boyz, every Titans fan and my family.
Day 5 (Sunday, Aug. 23) - Woody Payne (senior guard)
Our last day in Barcelona, which is easily one of the most beautiful cities in the world, was more of a relaxed day. The last two days, we've been playing amazing basketball and picking up two great wins. Coach McCallum decided to let us relax and catch some sights.
We attended a bull fight for the first time in all of our lives. It was an experience of a lifetime. Me, personally, it was my first and probably my last time going to an event like that. It just wasn't my cup of tea. But to wrap this up, we'll be heading to Valencia tomorrow and we have a long day ahead of us, so I'm going to relax, catch some sights and work on my Spanish.
Day 4 (Saturday, Aug. 22) - Eli Holman (sophomore center)
A two-hour bus trip will take us to the home of our next opponent, which is Girona. We are focused and ready for this next game. We want to have fun and win. Most importantly we want to continue to stay together and build a stronger bond that will carry into our upcoming season.
The four newcomers will all be exciting additions to this bond and we are looking forward to having them contribute and be a very positive addition to the team. This upcoming season will be very exciting and we will do all we can to work hard and play hard and hopefully please all of our fans.
Day 3 (Friday, Aug. 21) - Will Finch (Director of Basketball Operations)
The Titans woke up this morning and were treated to our first Spanish breakfast. Scrambled eggs, fruits and cheeses nourished the players and staff on what has been a bright, sunny and beautiful day in the city of Barcelona. After breakfast, the Titans went to the beautiful Sagrada Familia (Sacred Family) Church. After seeing this beautiful place that has been under construction since the 1800's, the Titans returned to the hotel for some rest. After a much needed time of rest (can we call it a siesta?) the Titans had a pre-game meal which included both traditional and maybe some non-traditional (french fries) Spanish foods. It was delicious.
Immediately following dinner, the team was fortunate to hear from the head coach of Florida State University basketball, coach Leonard Hamilton, who encouraged our team to make the most of this trip and take the memories and lessons learned, not only back to Detroit, but throughout life.
We are on our bus heading to our first game in Spain. This is what we have been waiting for.
Jason, Curtis, Lamar, John and LaMarcus...we are thinking of you and can't wait to have you along side us in competition!
GO TITANS!!!!
Day 2 (Thursday, Aug. 20) - Ray McCallum (Head Men's Basketball Coach)
We landed at 8:30 a.m., in Barcelona. A bright sunny day greeted the men’s basketball team after a long day of travel. Being unable to check into our hotel until 2:00 p.m., we ventured out for some awesome sightseeing. After entering four different Spanish banks, we finally found one that would exchange our money for euros. The exchange rate is 1.47 U.S. dollars for every one euro.
From the bank we ventured up a hill on the west side of the city to the Olympic Village site of the 1992 Olympic games. After taking numerous pictures in the 98,000 seat Olympic stadium, the Titan basketball group was elated to take shots of the front of the arena which saw the original Dream Team win the gold medal for the USA.
Upon leaving the Olympic Village we traveled to the home of F.C. Barcelona. From seeing the 107,000 seat Futbol “soccer” stadium, we ventured to the F.C. Barcelona basketball arena where we visited with the general manager. The basketball arena was where Pau Gasol first laced up his professional shoes.
After checking into our hotel, we took an incredible three hour walking tour of “new “and “old” Barcelona.
Eleven hours and we haven’t stopped. We landed and went to the port of Barcelona, the Olympic Village and the top of a mountain to see the city. We stopped by F.C. Barcelona, toured the town centers Cathedrals and Mid-Evil castles. It has been an incredible day. Everywhere we’ve been, the people of Spain have asked for photos with the Titans.
Until next time – GO TITANS.
Day 1 (Wednesday, Aug. 19) - Will Finch (Director of Basketball Operations)
Good Morning Titans! It’s Day One of our trip to Spain and the excitement surrounding the University of Detroit Mercy men’s basketball team is insurmountable. We haven’t even left Calihan Hall yet! The nine players, staff members and our incredible Athletic Director, Keri Gaither, put the finishing touches on the preparations for the trip yesterday which included: the team’s final practice, multiple trips to Best Buy, the copying of the inside covers of pass ports, thank you letters to all who made this possible and the dreaded task of packing.
Our first obstacle to conquer is the loading of the bus, which will then take us to Detroit Metro Airport where we will catch a plane to Philadelphia. Once we arrive in Philadelphia, we will have a lay over and then later this evening board the plane for the Trans Atlantic flight.
The Titans Graduate Manager, Mike Faletti, walks into the office this morning and the first thing he asks is if everybody’s lap top and electronics are charged. Let’s hope so, considering it’s going to be a long day, and night, of traveling.
It’s an exciting time to be a member of the Titans family and we are looking forward to sharing every step of our basketball and cultural journey with you as we go along. Be prepared for exciting and insightful tidbits, along with pictures and anything else we can muster, into everything we experience. TITANS!
