MANKATO, Minn. - The Bethany Lutheran College Vikings women's basketball team will embark on a seven-day foreign tour to Costa Rica from May 21–28, taking the opportunity to bond as a team and enjoy a unique international experience.
The traveling party will spend two nights in San José and four on the Pacific Coast. During the San José portion of the trip, the team will enjoy a walking tour of the city, with stops at the Central Market and National Church. In addition, the team will participate in two community service projects with the local youth sports programs. While on the Pacific Coast, the team will visit the La Paz Waterfall Gardens, zip-line, and take surfing lessons.
"It's amazing where the game of basketball is taking us," said Head Coach Emma Purfeerst. "We are so thankful and excited to have the opportunity to travel and experience another culture and being able to give back to the youth sports scene. I can't wait for our team to enjoy this once in a lifetime trip, not only do we get to continue to grow on the basketball court but we also get to spend time together!"
The Vikings will bookend the tour by playing two games, facing the U19 National Team and the Costa Rica All-Stars.
The trip is being coordinated by Beyond Sports, which specializes in "connecting the world through sports."
The NCAA permits teams to make an international trip once every four years and this will mark the first trip by the women's basketball program.
You can follow along with the Vikings' trip via their social media accounts:
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