June 25, 2007

Bucknell Men's Water Polo European Tour Updates

• Update #1 - By Todd Newcomb
• Update #2 - By Todd Newcomb
• Update #3 - By Jason Rechel
• Update #4 - By Todd Newcomb
• Update #5 - By Jason Rechel
• Update #6 - By Todd Newcomb
• Update #7 - By Todd Newcomb
• Update #8 - By Todd Newcomb
• Update #9 - By Jason Rechel
• Update #10 - By Todd Newcomb
• Update #11 - By Todd Newcomb

Bucknell Men's Water Polo European Tour Photo Galleries

• Photo Gallery #1
• Photo Gallery #2
• Photo Gallery #3
• Photo Gallery #4
• Photo Gallery #5
• Photo Gallery #6
• Photo Gallery #7

LEWISBURG, Pa. - As it continues off-season preparations, the Bucknell men's water polo team begins a 14-day tour through Eastern Europe this week. Head coach John Zeigler will bring 15 student-athletes and assistant coach John Abdou on the trip, which begins with an evening flight to Budapest, Hungary, on Tuesday, June 26.

Per NCAA rules, a program may take one overseas trip every four years, and this will mark the first time Zeigler has taken the Bison to Europe. The team will have daily practice sessions and will compete in scrimmages against local teams most days.

"For us, the trip's purpose is three-fold," commented Zeigler, who will enter his ninth season at the helm of the Bison in the fall. "First, we are going to get 10 competition dates we wouldn't otherwise have had. Plus, we get to face some of the best players and teams in the world.

"Secondly, we get to experience a different culture while playing a game we love. Most of the team has not been to Eastern Europe, so it will be new to nearly everyone involved.

"Lastly, the trip gives our team the opportunity to spend some time together and bond. That can only help us as we head toward what we expect to be a very successful fall season."

Bucknell's first scrimmage will take place on Wednesday, June 27, against the Budapest Railway Sport Club (BVSC). The team will train in Budapest until Saturday, June 30, when it will bus to Eger, Slovakia, for the remainder of the trip. The excursion will conclude with an afternoon flight from Budapest on Monday, July 9.

When not in action, the Bucknell contingent will do plenty of sightseeing in both Hungary and Slovakia, including planned stops at Buda Castle, Parliament, Margaret Island and Hero Square in Hungary. A reception at the mayor's house, as well as sightseeing at Dobo Square and Minorita Church highlight the team's time in Slovakia.

Fans will have the opportunity to follow the team throughout its trip as Jason Rechel, who will be a senior co-captain in the fall, and Bucknell associate director of athletics Todd Newcomb will both contribute periodic journal updates, which will be available on www.BucknellBison.com.