Basketball | 7/9/2024 10:13:00 AM

DENTON, Texas (July 9, 2024) – At Texas Woman's University, our purpose is to "educate a woman, empower the world." Athletics exists as an avenue through which we educate our student athletes through competition, service and transformational learning opportunities, so they can go out and empower the world.

These two actions – educate and empower – will take center stage, as the TWU women's basketball travels to Greece this summer.

"In our team, we focus on educating our student-athletes to be their best on and off the court," TWU Head Basketball Coach Beth Jillson said. "Through our trip to Greece, we hope to provide a truly educational, impactful and transformative experience, which will help our student-athletes understand themselves and others better. This understanding and cultural experience, will in turn, equip them with the tools to further empower their community."

The Pioneers will travel to Greece on July 21-31 and will be immersing themselves in the culture and history of Greece, while also having the opportunity to play two basketball games.

"I am looking forward to learning about the culture and history of Greece, as well as playing professional basketball teams," Leila Patel said.

Visiting a new culture will allow the Pioneers to experience life different to theirs in a transformative learning opportunity.

"I'm very blessed to have the opportunity to learn about a different and new culture," Jada Celsur said. "During the trip, I hope to learn different ways of living then what we are used to in everyday life."

Additionally, the opportunity will also afford them the unique privilege to further connect with a TWU basketball alumna, Ria Pateraki from Athens, Greece, who played for the Pioneers and Coach Jillson from 2012-14.

"I am so excited to have the opportunity to reconnect with Rita and learn more about her home culture," Coach Jillson said. "She was an incredible student-athlete and this opportunity personifies the true family atmosphere we cultivate at TWU. We aim to connect with our student-athletes beyond their sport and to keep those connections is very special and powerful."

During their 10-day experience, the Pioneers will visit Nafplio, Athens and Mykonos, where they will explore the cities and learn about the history and culture of Greece, while creating lasting memories together.

"My focus this trip is to get out of my comfort zone and try new things," Ahrianna Morgan said. "I want to learn and explore a place I know very little about. I hope to form core memories with my teammates."

Many of the Pioneers are getting to live out a dream of international travel on this trip. For Scout Huffman, she said she always dreamed of going to Greece and what better way to begin her final year at TWU.

"Greece is my dream destination, so I am so excited to experience such a beautiful, historic place with some of my favorite people," Huffman said. "I'm most looking forward to experiencing a different culture, food and art, as I have never been outside of the U.S."

Caroline Glud Rasmussen, who is from Denmark, said she is looking forward to showing a part of Europe to her team and is excited for the memories they will make together.

"It means a lot that we get to experience this together," Glud Rasmussen said. 'We will have the chance to get closer to each other and bond. That will definitely help us in the upcoming season, being so close and have to have these experiences together."

The Pioneers are coming off a historical run to the National Championship game last season with the entire roster returning and one new addition, making this trip an even more special experience with "their family."

"On this trip, we get to bond and experience something we all might have not experienced before," Kaylie Morgan said. "Going on a trip like this continues to build relationships within the team, and I feel like that's what it's all about."

Throughout every moment before, during and after the trip, the Pioneers want to focus on gratitude.

"My focus on this trip is gratitude," Ashley Ingram said. "It is an experience that not many get to have and being able to do it in my senior year is special. I am thankful for being able to experience a new place and culture with my family and teammates."

For Averee Kleinhans, she said she wants to remember gratitude throughout the entire process.

"My focus will be gratitude and learning," Kleinhans said. "I'm very grateful now to be able to experience this trip, but I want to be grateful during the trip and then after too. Not a lot of people get to experience what we are, so being able to be grateful to our coaches and everyone that made it possible is crucial."

For Hadyn Collie, she said she loves traveling and cannot wait to experience these incredible moments with her team.

"My focus is to get to know my teammates better and enjoy every minute of Greece, taking nothing for granted," Hadyn Collie said.

Above it all, the team wants to be present in each moment, experience joy in all their experiences and be grateful for each opportunity they have together. 

"Getting to experience a new culture is a once in a lifetime opportunity, and I'm just truly thankful," Kayla Glover said. "I can't wait to learn more about Greece and it's culture, while getting to spend time with my team."

Make sure to follow the Pioneers on all social channels to experience all of their unforgettable moments in Greece.