July 26, 2006

Illinois' Big Ten Foreign Tour Page

Coach Grentz Journal - 2006 Big Ten Foreign Tour
Here is hoping that this writing finds you all well and staying cool. The trip has been a special one and each day is filled with new sights and wonderful memories. The head coach learned the other day that a bus can actually drive onto a ferryboat and sail across the body of water between Sweden and Norway. Who knew? To be perfectly honest with you, I was delighted to learn that we did not have to unload the bus again! Luggage on a trip like this one gets to be a real chore, so the less we have to move it, the better it is for everyone.

As far as the ferry ride, I loved it. It was my first one and I really enjoyed the chance to sail and see the sights from the top deck. I had to endure a great deal of harassment for my lack of experience with ferryboats and their ability to charter larger busses into their bellies. The best part was when we docked in Norway; we just boarded our bus and drove off the boat. Oh my, do I call it a ship or a boat. My apologies to anyone who wishes to correct my terminology on this fact. Mea culpa.

The games have been great fun, but I must explain that when you coach or contract a game in Europe during the summer months, its virtually a sure thing that you won't get what you signed up for in your agreement. Flexibility is an absolute necessity when you take a team out of the USA. It is just that way....no questions, no excuses. You just learn to be flexible with times, gyms, and the teams that you are going to play. However, the basketball club in Denmark was terrific in making sure that we had games to play and arranged for a "friendly match" on three straight nights. Three straight nights in the same gym, with three games against the same club concerned me, but it turned out great.

The officiating is what I would call "creative" at best. It can be very frustrating to the players and it is important that they too, remember to be calm and patient with what is being called on the floor. You learn and you adjust. The officials are pleasant enough, in fact, they even ask you how much time you would like for half time and then proceed to put up ten minutes anyway. The entire exchange is very friendly and each side truly believes they are listening to and paying attention to each other...Perhaps this is one of the reasons why we do not have world peace.

The thing that has pleased me most is the effort that each player puts forth when it is her turn to represent the Big Ten. We have had players diving on the floor for loose balls, others are playing tremendous post defense, which could otherwise be termed as hand-to-hand combat, and every player is looking to steal anything that is thrown in her zip code area...

The teamwork and camaraderie of the players is truly a pleasure to watch and to be associated with each night out. In fact, some of their unselfishness has caught a player or two off guard...it makes for good "conversation" on the bench later in the game.

When an All-Star Team leaves the US to play overseas with only a couple of practices to get to know everyone, it is my feeling that our success will come from our defense. The players are not always crazy about this philosophy however; as is the case on this trip. The first quarter of our first game was a little shaky, but after that, there has been no looking back. We have gotten down and played some interesting defense. It has been fun. Do you have any idea how big Megan, Danielle, Katie and A.J can be when they get after it on the floor? The furious play of Brie, Leah, Lori and Rene is just plain fun to watch. Then you can bring Reshida, Tamara, Erin, and Leslie into the game and not see the level of play drop-off one bit. It is not by chance that our third quarters have been our best work. It has been a real pleasure to coach this team, I wouldn't say you actually coach them....you provide a few insights and a couple of suggestions and then let each of the players do what they love to do...play basketball.

Wednesday will be our last game and then we will be thinking about our plans for a cruise back to Denmark. I cannot help but wonder whom we will play on Wednesday and what adventures this opportunity will bring each of us.

I can honestly say that I will miss these young women when we land in Chicago on Friday. This tour has allowed the time to learn about each of the players and their personalities away from basketball. They are a lovable group and a fun loving group. I know they will do well next year and I look forward to seeing them in their respective school uniforms.

I will close for now.

Peace and Joy,
Theresa