Luther B-ball scores points for traveling

When the Luther College Women’s Basketball Team set off for South Africa, they were expecting to see the country, play some basketball and hang out with local kids.

However, what South Africa held for the team was a lesson in spirit and hope that would exceed the expectations they held.

Twelve players along with Head Coach Jane Hildebrand, Assistant Coach Amanda Nechuta, study abroad organizers Mark and Sonya Lund and Africana Studies Professor Martin Klammer set off May 29.

Every four years the team has traveled to Europe, but this year their experience was much different.

This year, the team collaborated with Klammer, who frequently travels and teaches courses in South Africa. The team was able to share his insights as they visited the cities of Cape Town and Johannesburg. The itenerary included volunteering time in HIV orphanages, putting on clinics and experiencing the struggles and history of South Africa first hand.

After touring a wild game park in Pilanesberg, they headed to Johannesburg and Soweto where players put on a skills clinic for about 50 kids in an HIV orphanage, leading them in drills and basic technique.

The women were struck by how spirited and excited the kids were despite their meager belongings and life in the orphanage.

“Being able to interact with the kids was probably my favorite part,” Samantha Jewell (‘11) said.

The team played an exhibition game against a combined local club team, and the kids were able to see their first ever basketball game. The women later discovered that they were the first ever college team to visit the area and lead clinics.

“Some of the kids in the clinic were showing the other kids the skills we taught them,” Marci Furlong (‘10) said. “It was cool to see how much they appreciate it and wanted to pass it on and share with others.”

This spirit of giving was present throughout the trip.“The people there were very welcoming even though they didn’t have much,” Hildebrand said. “They enjoyed life to its fullest and didn’t complain about it.”

This attitude continued to resonate with the women, who were able to spend a day at church and with the locals playing, talking and soaking in a culture Furlong saw as forward-facing.

“Even after everything with apartheid, all they wanted to do was to forgive and forget and move on with their lives,” Furlong said.

Moving to Cape Town, the team led another skills clinic for about 150 girls with an organization called Hoops4Hope.

“Sports in South Africa are used as a developmental tool to teach kids values and self-confidence,” Klammer said. “[Sports] teach them self-respect, respect for others and leadership where they might not be taught in school.”

After teaching skills and running drills, the team split itself into blue and white for an impromptu scrimmage. The 150 girls watching divided themselves into two cheering teams, creating chants and cheers to support their respective teams.

Klammer claimed that the intensity and noise in the small gym was as strong and loud as can be heard in the Luther gym.

“They have so much spirit,” Furlong said.

With the incredible experience still fresh in their minds, the women are looking forward to a promising season and are grateful to everyone at Luther and in Decorah who helped support their adventures abroad. With an international trip unter their belt, the Luther Women’s Basketball Team feels strong and ready for their upcoming season.