Homeward Bound

Entry No. 9: Homeward Bound
Courtesy: Stanford Athletics  
Release: 08/30/2007

Aug. 30, 2007

  • Italy trip archive

    MILAN- Stanford's seven-game, 11-day tour of Italy came to an end on Friday, as the Cardinal departed on an early flight out of Milan.

    The Cardinal posted a 4-3 record in seven games against a mix of local competition in cities throughout Italy. Away from the court, the travel party enjoyed sightseeing in Rome, Florence and Milan while experiencing the culture and beauty of Italy.

    The Stanford men's basketball program wishes to thank the following: our tour guides Klaus and Tina Pini (for their assistance and hospitality throughout the tour), Maury Hanks of Global Sports (for organizing the game schedule), administrative assistant Sandi Peregrina (for preparing the itinerary and coordinating trip details), photographer Kyle Terada (for capturing the trip's memorable moments) and bus driver Vincenzo Serra (who not once was intimidated by steep hills, narrow streets or a five-course dinner). Also a special thanks to all the donors who help support the program.

    With the trip now in the books and the start of the school year right around the corner, here are some final thoughts from the travel party.

    FAVORITE FOOD ITEM OR DISH:

  • Lawrence Hill, junior forward: Tiramisu. It was good everywhere we went.
  • Nick Robinson, assistant coach: Gelatto in Rome, tiramisu in Como and lasagna in Norcia.
  • Trent Johnson, head coach: Everything, especially pizza.
  • Da'Veed Dildy, sophomore guard: Pizza in Rome.
  • Brook Lopez, sophomore forward: A calzone at Bellagio.
  • Charlie Miller, athletic trainer: Pasta dish at Pane e Vino in Ostia.
  • Taj Finger, senior forward: Chicken and penne alla vodka in Rome.
  • Juan Pablo Reggiardo, strength and conditioning coach: Homemade tiramisu.
  • Doug Oliver, assistant coach: Pasta and bean soup at a small café in Rome.
  • Anthony Goods, junior guard: Gelato.

    ...BUT MY FIRST MEAL BACK HOME WILL BE:

  • Kenny Brown, junior guard: A hamburger.
  • Nick Robinson, assistant coach: Pancakes on Saturday morning.
  • Drew Shiller, sophomore guard: In-N-Out Burger.
  • Da'Veed Dildy, sophomore guard: Chicken.
  • Brook Lopez, sophomore forward: Panda Express.
  • Trent Johnson, head coach: A ham and cheese omelet from Jimmy V's.
  • Chris Bobel, video coordinator: Protein shake and salad without dressing.
  • Peter Prowitt, senior center: Pasta. I love Italian food!
  • Fred Washington, senior forward: A double-double from In-N-Out Burger.
  • Mike Izzi, associate athletic director: The Jed Solomon/Chuck Evans tailgate at this weekend's football game against UCLA.

    TEAMMATE MOST LIKELY TO SURVIVE ANOTHER WEEK IN ITALY ON HIS OWN:

  • Kenny Brown, junior guard: Drew Shiller, because he speaks Italian.
  • Taj Finger, senior forward: Will Paul. He is resourceful and easy-going.
  • Landry Fields, sophomore guard: Da'Veed Dildy.
  • Fred Washington, senior forward: Drew Shiller.
  • Anthony Goods, junior guard: Peter Prowitt, because he loves absolutely everything about Italy.
  • Brook Lopez, sophomore forward: Drew Shiller because he speaks the language.
  • Will Paul, sophomore forward: Drew Shiller.
  • Da'Veed Dildy, sophomore guard: Lawrence Hill.
  • Kenny Brown, junior guard: Drew Shiller. He speaks Italian.
  • Mitch Johnson, junior guard: Lawrence Hill.

    BIGGEST DIFFERENCE BETWEEN AMERICAN AND EUROPEAN BASKETBALL:

  • Lawrence Hill, junior forward: The referees' calls.
  • Kenny Brown, junior guard: Traveling calls.
  • Mitch Johnson, junior guard: The shot clock.
  • Brook Lopez, sophomore forward: All Eurpoean players can shoot well.
  • Robin Lopez, sophomore center: How physical the game is.
  • Taj Finger, senior forward: How many times the refs call traveling.
  • Anthony Goods, junior guard: Traveling violations.
  • Peter Prowitt, senior center: What is and is not considered a foul.
  • Doug Oliver, assistant coach: Physicality and the way they play away from the basket.
  • Will Paul, sophomore forward: There are no moving screens here.

    AMERICAN SONG YOU HEARD OVERPLAYED ON THE RADIO AND TV:

  • Da'Veed Dildy, sophomore guard: Rihanna's "Umbrella".
  • Mitch Johnson, junior guard: Rihanna's "Umbrella".
  • Kyle Terada, photographer: "Girlfriend" by Avril Lavigne.
  • Donny Guerinoni, assistant coach: "What I've Done" by Linkin Park.
  • Drew Shiller, sophomore guard: Rihanna's "Umbrella".
  • Brian Risso, media relations: Anything by Nelly Furtado.
  • Landry Fields, sophomore guard: "Umbrella" by Rihanna.

    BEST PURCHASE I MADE ON THE TRIP WAS:

  • Lawrence Hill, junior forward: A Wayne Rooney jersey.
  • Kyle Terada, photographer: Paying 2,50 euro for a computer adapter that took two people five days to find.
  • Nick Robinson, assistant coach: A pair of shoes, a doll and a tie.
  • Da'Veed Dildy, sophomore guard: A calling card for 5 euro.
  • Brook Lopez, sophomore forward: A France soccer jersey.
  • Taj Finger, senior forward: A postcard.
  • Juan Pablo Reggiardo, strength and conditioning coach: A pink "Ciao Bella" t-shirt for my niece.
  • Peter Prowitt, senior center: My Diesel Aviator sunglasses.
  • Landry Fields, sophomore guard: A 1.5 liter of water for 1,50 euro.
  • Anthony Goods, junior guard: A painting I bought for 1,90 euro when it was selling for 10 euro.

    THE ONE THING ABOUT ITALY THAT SURPRISED ME:

  • Mitch Johnson, junior guard: How late families eat dinner.
  • Drew Shiller, sophomore guard: That a lot of Italians speak English.
  • Mike Izzi, associate athletic director: I was amazed at the history of Rome.
  • Chris Bobel, video coordinator: Italians have a lot of enthusiasm for basketball.
  • Taj Finger, senior forward: The close proximity of beds inside the hotel rooms.
  • Landry Fields, sophomore guard: Water is not free at restaurants.
  • Anthony Goods, junior guard: The architecture.
  • Juan Pablo Reggiardo, strength and conditioning coach: How much espresso is consumed on a daily basis.
  • Peter Prowitt, senior center: Everyone speaks English.
  • Doug Oliver, assistant coach: How many Smart cars there are on the road.

    DID YOU KEEP UP ON SPORTS NEWS BACK HOME?:

  • Lawrence Hill, junior forward: Nope. I was completely detached.
  • Brian Risso, media relations: Every day. And now the Cardinals are only two games back in the NL Central division!
  • Drew Shiller, sophomore guard: Major League Baseball, thanks to my girlfriend over the phone.
  • Chris Bobel, video coordinator: I know the Giants had a five-game winning streak.
  • Robin Lopez, sophomore center: I kept up a little on the Mariners.
  • Taj Finger, senior forward: A little bit on the Yankees, mainly using the internet.
  • Juan Pablo Reggiardo, strength and conditioning coach: Not really.
  • Peter Prowitt, senior center: Yes, mainly NBA free agent signings.
  • Landry Fields, sophomore guard: No.
  • Donny Guerinoni, assistant coach: No, just the World Games.

    MOST MEMORABLE SIGHTSEEING EXPERIENCE:

  • Lawrence Hill, junior forward: The view from our hotel in Varese. I could see the whole country.
  • Kenny Brown, junior guard: The Vatican. The size of the church and the detail of the decor was amazing.
  • Trent Johnson, head coach: Our team visit to the U.S. Ambassador's residence in Rome.
  • Drew Shiller, sophomore guard: The Colosseum. I've wanted to see it since sixth grade.
  • Chris Bobel, volunteer assistant: The private boat tour on Lake Como. There were some absolutely breathtaking houses and hills.
  • Taj Finger, senior forward: The Vatican. It was so much bigger and beautiful than I thought it would be.
  • Juan Pablo Reggiardo, strength and conditioning coach: Lake Como. It's the most beautiful place in Italy (or anywhere that I've been). Hands down.
  • Doug Oliver, assistant coach: Lake Como and Bellagio.
  • Robin Lopez, sophomore center: The Vatican and the statue of David.
  • Will Paul, sophomore forward: The Sistine Chapel. It's amazing and something I always wanted to see.

    THE TRIP WAS A LOT OF FUN BECAUSE:

  • Lawrence Hill, junior forward: It made me appreciate home even more.
  • Kenny Brown, junior guard: The team became that much closer and shared an experience outside of basketball.
  • Brian Risso, media relations: I was able to meet up with some relatives.
  • Mitch Johnson, junior guard: This was my first time overseas.
  • Drew Shiller, sophomore guard: It was an all-expenses paid basketball trip- what could be better?
  • Charlie Miller, athletic trainer: The opportunity to work with the basketball program. The guys were great and so was the staff.
  • Taj Finger, senior forward: This was my first trip out of the country.
  • Landry Fields, sophomore guard: I was able to spend quality time with my teammates.
  • Doug Oliver, assistant coach: I love to eat!
  • Trent Johnson, head coach: We had a great team host and hostess.