Oglethorpe’s men’s basketball team is on a nine-day trip to Europe. They will check in with Division III basketball fans from time to time.
Bonjour from Paris! This is Wade Weldon from the Oglethorpe men’s basketball team giving you the latest on the men’s basketball team trip to Europe.
On Tuesday, we played our first basketball game in the town of Dravaille against a local team. We came out running and took off with a 101-66 victory. This team had good size and some athletes but they could not keep up with our speed. We shot very poorly from the field and the foul line because our legs were fatigued. Next time we won’t climb to the top of the Arc de Triomphe on a game day. Despite the tired legs, the Petrels are undefeated on foreign soil.
Yesterday, we took a four-hour bus ride to the beaches of Normandy to reflect on the men that gave their lives on D-Day, June 6, 1944. After watching Saving Private Ryan on the bus, the team was excited to see the beach and learn more about the D-Day invasion of Normandy. When we arrived, the weather was foggy and musky. This made the beach look very similar to the way it did at 6:30 am when U.S. infantry and armoured divisions landed on the coast of France on June 6, 1944. After exploring Normandy the team went to the Normandy American Cemetery to honor the American soldiers that died in Europe during World War II. This was a very emotional experience for me because my grandfather fought in this war.
Today we went to the Palace of Versailles, home of Louis XIV. This is one of the largest palaces in the world. I was awestruck when I saw the architecture of this palace and it’s picturesque landscape. No wonder the peasants revolted against Louis XVI because he was living in such royal quarters while they were living in poverty. After this, we took a bus to Montmarte and the Bascilica de Sacre Couer. This historical church is the highest point in France and it offered some of the best views of the city.
Tonight we are playing our second game against another local club team. I will update you on the results of this game in my next entry.