Bucs' trip not only for hoops

The benefits of a few extra days of practice and preparation for the upcoming season cannot be understated, so basketball teams jump at the opportunity to take trips to foreign soil for exhibition games.

The Charleston Southern men's basketball team will take such a trip, leaving today for Poland. Coach Barclay Radebaugh and his staff will take eight returning players on the eight-day trip, playing four games against professional teams.

While the basketball part of the trip will be important for the team's chemistry, basketball is not the only thing on Radebaugh's mind. While in Poland, the Buccaneers will conduct clinics and serve in a missionary role to a local orphanage.

"Certainly having four returning starters and being able to take eight players on a trip to play basketball in August has certain advantages," said Radebaugh, who begins his fourth season at CSU this fall. "The basketball part of the trip is obviously important, but it pales in comparison to the true mission of this trip, which is to minister to the people of Poland and try to make a difference in someone's life.

"It's an opportunity to step outside of the small world that we live in and experience life in another part of the world. It's an opportunity to be servant leaders and for our young men to spread the mission of Charleston Southern University."

During his days as an assistant at South Carolina, Radebaugh became close friends with John and Kasha Verkler, who attended the same church in Columbia. The Verklers became missionaries to Poland and the two couples lost touch. Earlier this year, the Verklers were in Charleston and met Radebaugh and his wife, Hope, for dinner. While listening to stories of the work being done and the need for more, Radebaugh wanted to help.

"Since we came to Charleston Southern we have had a goal to take the team overseas on a trip, something that we could combine basketball and mission work," said Radebaugh. "This seemed like the perfect opportunity for us to give it a shot."

Radebaugh went to work raising money in the spring and earlier this summer reached his goal and finalized the plans. The trip is being funded through private donations that Radebaugh was able to raise.

"This will be a life-changing experience for everyone involved," said the coach. "I can't thank enough those who have made this possible. We've had a lot of people step up to make this a reality and we will be forever grateful. God has truly blessed our program."

Sophomore guard Tovi Bailey, who plans to provide daily journals to CSU's athletic Web site, detailing the trip, is excited about getting the chance to make a difference.

"The basketball stuff is important but this is about more than basketball," said Bailey. "We're looking forward to helping some kids who don't have the opportunities that we have and that's really special for me."

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