After several flight delays, late starts and a LOOONNNNGGGG night, the majority of our team has arrived in Xenia and the journey has officially begun.We are excited for the adventure ahead of us. Because AIA has been recognized as a worldwide leader in sports ministry, we have been invited to West Africa to help establish and spur on Christian sports ministry in that part of the world. There are two main aspects of this tour:
BASKETBALL: Our team of D1 men’s basketball players will participate in a 4-country tournament. We also have 5 coaches joining us who will provide basketball clinics to local coaches in the countries we visit.
HUMANITARIAN AID: AIA as a whole is beginning to implement more humanitarian aid initiatives, with hopes of “being” Jesus to people, not just talking about Him. We will be visiting schools and orphanages to give basketball clinics and camps, but more importantly, to bring the message of the Gospel to the children by our words and actions.
Please pray for these efforts and for our safety.Here is our roster for our tour:
Players:Jake Diebler, Valparaiso University; Jesse Sanders, Liberty University; Shane Dansby, Belmont University; Danero Thomas, Murray State; Ian O’Leary, St Marys, CA; Ramon Harris, University of Kentucky; Urule Igbavboa, Valparaiso University; Jay Watkins, Southern Idaho; Julian Gamble, University of Miami; Jared Carter, University of Kentucky
Head Coach: Luke Gore - Valparaiso University; Asst Coaches: Billy Singleton - St John’s University, Jim Larson- Biola University; Team Advisors: Steve D., Rocky L.; Team Administrator: Megan S., Michelle B.; Clinicians: Jim Larson - Biola University, Stephanie Roe - Davidson, Brooke Carrigan - Furman; Trainer: Rob Frost - St Lawrence University; Student Assistant: Shaun Terry