For the first time in program history, the Franciscan Men's Basketball team embarked on a NCAA-approved international trip this summer. The Barons picked a logical destination, as they headed to Austria. Over the 10-day trip, the Barons will spend time on Franciscan's Austrian campus in Gaming, as well as several other Austrian cities.
This is the first international trip for a Franciscan team since Rugby made the trip to Ireland in 2011.
This summer's trip to Austria has been a few years in the making. Our goal was to put together a first-class experience for our guys. A trip that would facilitate spiritual growth, receive familiarity in a different cultural, and the time to just be together. We have a special group of young men and to share these experiences together can form bonds and lasting memories for years to come. My expectations before we departed were extremely high. Each day while in Austria was absolutely amazing on so many levels. People have asked what was the most memorable part of the trip. My answer is, all the little moments we shared together. Having Daily Mass in churches that predate our country, sharing meals together, and just the family moments you can't replicate. It was a trip filled with Joy.
--Head Coach Joe Wallace--
Below is a look through their day to day activities and some quotes from players on their experiences.
Day #1 - August 10th - Pittsburgh-Chicago-Vienna
Travel Day
Day #2 - August 11th - Vienna-Durnstein-Gaming
The Barons arrived in Austria a little after 8:00 a.m. local time to hit the ground running. They would take a one hour drive to Durnstein to hike the castle ruins before lunch. Next they would make the journey to Gaming where they would spend three nights on Franciscan's campus. The first event in Gaming would be mass at 5:00 p.m. before dinner and lights out.
Day #3 - August 12th - Gaming & Mauthausen
The Barons would get back on the floor today, as they would get a morning practice in to get the day started. From there they would travel to Mauthausen for a tour of the concentration camp and city tour. -
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The trip was definitely a once in a lifetime experience. I want to thank all of the coaches, Tim (Delaney), and people that helped to give us this opportunity, which I am forever thankful. The trip was beneficial for our team because we grew in our faith together, and we got to practice, but us going to mass everyday and seeing all the churches in Vienna, Salzburg and Gaming was great for us as a team.
--Guard #12
Josh Zimmerman--
After spending the afternoon there, they returned to Gaming for afternoon mass and dinner.
Day #4 - August 13th - Gaming & Mariazell
The Barons would get back on the hardwood again with a morning practice for the second day in row. They then made it back to Gaming for noon mass at the Kratause. They then would travel to Mariazell for the afternoon of touring and hiking. They then would return to Gaming to spend their third and final night there.
Day #5 - August 14th - Gaming-Salzburg
The first
GAME DAY of the 2024-25 season. The Barons would wrap up their time in Gaming with breakfast, mass and lunch before departing to an exhibition against the Armstetten Falcons. It would be all Barons early on, as they took a 31-13 lead through the opening quarter. They would expand the lead up to 27 points at 57-30 at halftime. Franciscan kept the foot on the gas, as they would earn their first win of the 2024-25 season by a score of 112-58. The Barons would then depart for Salzburg for their first night there with a taste of home on the way.
Day #6 - August 15th - Salzburg
Breakfast and mass would kickoff the first full-day in Salzburg, as the Barons would celebrate mass at a Franciscan Church. Then they toured the city with dinner at 5:00 p.m. to end the first day in
Salzburg.
Day #7 - August 16th - Salzburg
Breakfast and mass begin the day once again before the team splits up among various excursions. The team then came together for dinner together for their final night in Salzburg.
Day #8 - August 17th - Salzburg-Vienna
They made the journey from Salzburg to Vienna and arrived at the capital in the mid-afternoon. The team would tour the city before dinner to conclude the day.
The Austria trip was one of the most impactful experiences for me during my time at Franciscan. We were able to see so much beauty over the course of the week particularly the architecture of Vienna and Austria's famous landscapes The glory of God was on full display in all the people we met and Churches we visited. Yet, the best part was being to go to mass everyday as a team and witness personal faith journeys flourish across each and every one of us. I consider myself very lucky to have traveled to Europe with such a special group of young men. I know we will carry this experience for the rest of our lives.
--Forward #14
Nicholas Allienello
Day #9 - August 18th - Vienna
In the final, full day in Europe, the Barons would have a free day to explore the capital more. Then they went to mass at St. Peter's for a German mass and dinner to conclude their final night.
Day #10 - August 19th - Vienna-Newark-Pittsburgh
Unfortunately, there were some flight issues, but the team made it back to Steubenville safe and sound.
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