July 13, 2010

FAIRFAX, Va. - The George Mason men's basketball program will embark on a trip to Italy later this summer, traveling to Italy from August 18-28. The Patriots are slated to play four games against foreign club teams on the excursion, which will also feature cultural tours and sightseeing endeavors.

"When the NCAA passed legislation to allow freshmen to go on foreign tours we immediately made plans to take our team to Italy," said head coach Jim Larranaga. "The 10 days of practice and the four games we will play against professional teams will be great preparation for a very exciting 2010-11 season. It's a unique opportunity for the student-athletes who will not only gain basketball experience but partake in a once in a lifetime educational and cultural experience learning about another part of the world."

The Patriots will depart on Wednesday, August 18 for Rome, Italy and will spend a few days in Italy's capital city with a tour of the Vatican City, including St. Peter's and the Sistine Chapel as well as tours of the ancient monuments. On Sunday, August 22 the student-athletes will be in Florence, considered the birthplace of the Italian Renaissance, and will see the city's most famous masterpiece, Michelangelo's David, as well as Ponte Vecchio, the oldest bridge in the city stretching over the river Arno. The team will take a day trip to Pisa to marvel at the Tower of Pisa. Lake Como, a popular retreat on the third largest lake in Italy, boasts many artistic and cultural gems will be the last stop on the tour of Italy. The Patriots will return to the States on Saturday, August 28.

If you would like to see the team play in Italy, West End Travel will be happy to assist you. Airline, hotel and train information for fans is available to you upon your email to vivp@westend.us, or by calling 202-986-2066 and asking for Vivianne.