FIT men’s basketball team heading to England for 10 days
Florida Tech men’s basketball coach Billy Mims calls it the best Western Civilization class his guys will ever have.
The team boards a plane Wednesday morning and will spend 10 days in London, England, exploring some of the most famous sites in the world as well as playing six basketball games in 10 days.
“We are one of the top 200 universities in the world, people from all over the world come to Florida Tech. The world recognizes Florida Tech, so I thought ‘what a great opportunity to give our guys a chance to see the world,’ ” Mims said. “This is an extension of that Florida Tech education, I think it is something that these kids will always look back on and be telling their children and grandchildren about playing basketball at Florida Tech in London.
“We played in the Land of the Queen.”
And it all started last year when an old friend at Brunel University in London contacted Mims about setting up a tour around Florida.
Mims set up six games against Sunshine State Conference teams and this year Brunel is returning the favor, housing the team on campus for the entire trip.
The Panthers will have a tight schedule as they will play six games in 10 days, facing professional teams from the British Basketball League as well as the English Basketball League.
Off the court, the team will get an inside look at one of the most historic sports venues in the world, Wembley Stadium as well as the ESPN of England, Sky Sports Network. They will also tour London on a double decker bus, seeing Big Ben, the Museum of Natural History, Buckingham Palace and of course a castle.
The players can’t decide which part they are more excited about seeing.
“It’s London!” exclaimed Corbin Jackson. “I have never been out of the country, myself, so it’s just a huge opportunity for multiple reasons. One, basketball is taking you to see the world. Two, my aspirations are to play professionally so this is huge for me personally. Finally, it gives us time to gel as a team, get the team chemistry right and just spend time together.”
Isaac Spence agrees it is going to be an important trip for the team.
“It will be fun having time off and just go around with the team and see London,” Spence said. “It will be a great chance to get the team together and build camaraderie.”
It did not come without hard work. The team held camps all summer and will have more fundraisers in the fall in order to pay for the trip. But it is all worth it for a trip of a lifetime.
“ I am excited to have this new adventure and memories that will stay with me forever,” Jackson said. “It is a phenomenal experience.”
The schedule
Saturday, a tournament at Brunel University playing the English Basketball League (EBL) Division I Champion Levett Essex Leopards at noon. Will play in championship or consolation game on Sunday.
Tuesday, the Panthers play EBL1’s Barking Abbey at 1 p.m.
Thursday, FIT will face the EBL1’s London Lithuanika at 3 p.m. at the University of East London.
Friday, Florida Tech heads to Hornchurch Arena for a matchup with the Division 4's Dagenham Dragons at 4 p.m.
Saturday the Panthers close out the trip against the EBL3's Thames Valley Cavaliers. Location and time for the game versus Thames Valley is to be determined.