DePaul University Athletics
DePaul Sets Dates for August Trip to France
5/9/2011 12:00:00 AM | MEN'S BASKETBALL
May 9, 2011
Basketball Travelers Inc. Travel Package Information
CHICAGO - The DePaul men's basketball team heads overseas later this summer for a 10-day excursion in France titled "In the Footsteps of St. Vincent." While in France, the Blue Demons and fans will visit Paris, Toulouse and Nice and play four games during the tour that runs Aug. 11-21.
Unlike other college basketball overseas experiences, the DePaul men's program will be immersed in the history of St. Vincent de Paul - the namesake of DePaul University - and also use the opportunity to integrate the incoming recruiting class on and off the court. The student-athletes will take a course titled "The Life and Times of Vincent de Paul" to prepare for the trip and after crossing the Atlantic Ocean they will walk in the footsteps of St. Vincent de Paul.
"This is a great opportunity for our incoming class to get integrated into our program on the court, in the classroom and with our returning players," said DePaul head coach Oliver Purnell. "We're very excited for August to arrive and take advantage of this great opportunity."
NCAA regulations allow DePaul to conduct 10 days of practice prior to leaving for France and the overseas trips are allowed once every four years. Purnell and his staff welcome six freshmen to Lincoln Park next season and the trip will allow the newcomers practice and game experience prior to the start of the 2011-12 academic year.
The six-player rookie class includes Macari Brooks (Richton Park, Ill.), Montray Clemons (Baltimore, Md.), Jamee Crockett (Crete, Ill.), Shane Larkin (Orlando, Fla.), Charles McKinney (Evanston, Ill.) and Derrell Robertson (Mendenhall, Miss.).
Transfer Donnavan Kirk will be allowed to practice in August prior to the trip but will not be able to travel under NCAA transfer guidelines. Kirk joined the Blue Demons in January at the start of the Winter Quarter and will be eligible to play following the conclusion of 2011 Autumn Quarter exams just before the Thanksgiving holiday. The Pontiac, Mich. native was a redshirt freshman at Miami (Fla.) at the start of the 2010-11 season.
DePaul's seven newcomers join a core of returners led by BIG EAST Rookie of the Year Cleveland Melvin. Melvin led DePaul with 14.3 points per game last season and broke Mark Aguirre's freshman field percentage record by shooting .522 from the field. Aguirre held the previous freshman mark of .520 in 1978-79. Overall, the Blue Demons return their top five scorers from last season including BIG EAST All-Rookie Team member Brandon Young who averaged 12.6 points per game with a team-best 115 assists.
DePaul has partnered with Basketball Travelers to offer fans and supporters the chance to travel with the Blue Demons, see the sites in France and get an early glimpse of the 2011-12 team. Various travel packages are available at the Basketball Travelers website.
Tentative Tour Itinerary--August 11-21, 2011 (subject to change)
11 - Depart Chicago O'Hare
12 - Arrive Paris & City Tour
13 - Tour Paris
14 - Sightsee Paris & Game #1
15 - Sightsee Paris & Game #2
16 - Arrive Toulouse
17 - TBA & Game #3
18 - Arrive Nice
19 - Tour Monaco
20 - Sightseeing Nice & Game #4
21 - Depart Nice & Arrive at Chicago O'Hare
