International Sport Connection 2012 Basketball Coach Exchange: East Coast Highlights

Ugandan Basketball Coaches left to right: Timothy Ayeet Odeke, Nicholas Twesigye, Immaculate "Chocho" Nalwadda, and Carol Nyafwono.

The International Sport Connection Basketball Coach Training and Cultural Exchange Program began it's adventures in January 2012.  Ugandan Basketball Coaches Timothy Ayeet Odeke, Carol Nyafwono, Immaculate "Chocho" Nalwadda, and Nicholas Twesigye were selected for the current ISC tour, which is being lead by Dr. Jens Omli, the Director of the International Sport Connection.  The journey started with the four Ugandan coaches encountering snow for the first time when they arrived on the East Coast.  They were immediately warmed by the welcoming spirits of the people they met. 

Ugandan Basketball Coaches observing Columbia University Women's Basketball Practice.

Ugandan Coaches at Columbia University Men's Basketball Game with Head Women's Basketball Coach Paul Nixon.

Their itinerary included attending training sessions of the Columbia University men’s and women’s basketball teams.  Where they saw the ins and outs of Columbia’s coaching philosophies and were mentored by women’s head coach, Paul Nixon, and his assistants, Shanna Cook and Nettie Respondek. The Ugandan coaches studied the Columbia men’s and women’s teams as they took on Cornell in their Ivy League Conference match-ups.  In the days to follow, the Ugandan delegation observed the Oklahoma Thunder, a NBA basketball team, conduct practices on the Columbia University campus.  They then toured Columbia’s campus and athletic facilities. 

Ugandan Basketball Coaches and ISC Director, Jens Omli, outside of the Columbia University Library.

New York Knicks against Milwaukee Bucks at Madison Square Garden.

Another highlight of the trip was the Ugandan basketball coaches got to witness the New York Knicks take on the Milwaukee Bucks at the Madison Square Garden.  Their VIP treatment brought the coaches up and close to the action from the 3^rd row allowing them to get a close encounter to professional basketball in the United States.  The trip was rounded off with their navigating the New York Subway Systems to visit cultural landmarks such as the Statue of Liberty, Central Park, Ground Zero, and Times Square.

Ugandan Coaches at New York Knicks NBA game.

Ugandan Basketball Coaches in Times Square.

Coach Timothy Ayeet Odeke, described the experience as bringing what he has seen in movies come to life.  “The fact that we went to Central Park and visited the most famous part of New York like the Statue of Liberty and Ground Zero made this trip to New York City complete.  It was an honor to visit Columbia University, which is considered one of the most prestigious schools in America.  Seeing how it was organized and structure was good to learn about and something to treasure.  When I came to the United States, I already knew about these sites from videos, movies, and magazines.  I had seen Madison Square Garden from games aired on ESPN but actually walking the ground I had always seen on TV and in newspapers was amazing.  It made the stories I had heard about the United States and New York City come alive.”

Ugandan Basketball Coaches in front of Statue of Liberty.

The coaches continued their exploration of the east coast with a trip to Springfield, MA which has history that can be appreciated by any basketball enthusiast.  The coaches visited the very spot where basketball was “invented”.  They toured the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame learning about the history of the game they love.  They visited the campus of Springfield College where basketball began; touring the YMCA Museum, the campus, and the athletic and fitness facilities.  Professor Dr. Judy Can Raalte invited the coaches into her Sports Psychology course to share experiences and welcomed them into her home to share with the cultural side of American home life.

Ugandan Coaches and Professor Dr Judy Can Raalte learning about American culture.

Coach Carol Nyafwono explained that, “in Judy’s class, I learned about student’s volunteering in the sports and even in places around the world.  It seems as if those students and leaders we met were passionate about being leaders and giving back to others in their own communities but even in deep villages in parts of Africa.  It was good to share the differences between basketball in Uganda and in the United States in the sports psychology class and understand how sports and leadership can help Americans earn a living.“

Coach Carol Nyafwono at Springfield College, the birthplace of basketball.

Coach Nicholas Twesigye went on to appreciate their visit to the sports psychology classroom.  “In our country we don’t have as much opportunities to learn about sports psychology.  If we can take the sports psychology information back to our country, our coaches can be inspired.  I want Ugandans to have the experience to gain knowledge like we have attained during this tour. I really like the welcoming atmosphere of Springfield College.  It was so good to see where basketball was invented.  I liked that especially because I’ve played and coached the sport and it’s a great honor to see the place where they first played.  I really liked it.”

Coach Timothy described their visit to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame “an experience rich in educating us in basketball. Getting to see all the people who were inducted and getting to know the history was really impressive.  It was something I will bring back home to Uganda.  It was good and lasting in my mind.  The entire experience on the east coast was memorable and it left an impression on me.  It was all very exciting.”

Ugandan Basketball Coaches at the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

For more information on the International Sports Connection please see the website, www.internationalsportconnection.org.  Thank you to the SportsUnited division of the US State Department for funding this incredible program promoting international sports diplomacy.