NEW PALTZ – — The SUNY New Paltz men’s soccer team will prepare for the 2002 season with an 11-day trip to Holland, Belgium, and Germany beginning August 11.
The trip will include training sessions with a member of Dutch National Coaching Federation, competition against club teams, a “behind the scenes” visit to Roda JC, a Dutch first division club team, and an appearance in the Star Cup, where the Hawks will play against professional and semi-professional under-21 teams from Holland, Belgium, and Germany.
“I think that it is extremely important to provide our student-athletes with exposure to other cultures and travel,” said SUNY New Paltz Director of Athletics and Head Men’s Soccer Coach Stuart Robinson. “The fact that many of my student-athletes didn’t own a passport before planning this trip speaks to how groundbreaking this is in their lives.”
In addition to soccer, the team will experience a cruise the along the Rhein River, visit Margarten Cemetery, a landmark from World War II, stop at the medieval merchant’s square of Aachen, Germany for a look at the home of Charlemagne, King of the Franks during the ninth century AD, and a tour Amsterdam and Brussels.
“Academic institutions speak often of preparing its students for a changing global society,” noted Robinson. “This is an important aspect of such a goal through athletics and I’m pleased that our student-athletes will have this opportunity.”
The SUNY New Paltz men’s soccer team hopes to improve upon its 7-11 record from a year ago. In 2001, the Hawks dropped five one-goal games against a schedule that included three teams who went on to qualify for the NCAA Division III Tournament.
“Playing against strong competition will allow us to get our heads in the proper frame of mind for what will be a challenging season,” said Robinson, whose team will open the year on August 31 against The College of New Jersey in a tournament hosted by Drew University. “Considering how demanding our schedule is, this trip will afford us the opportunity to cut our teeth against quality teams that will help prepare us for the season ahead.”
The 2002 SUNY New Paltz men’s soccer schedule is even stronger than a year ago. This year’s slate features five NCAA Tournament participants from 2001, including a game with last year’s national champion Richard Stockton.
