Bison Athletes in Training afforded Harding athletes with the opportunity to fly across the Atlantic and spend one month to study and travel in Europe together. The program involved 23 male and female representatives from several different athletic teams. The group stayed in Scandicci, Italy, at the Avanti Italia Bible House and was led by Clay Beason, assistant football coach, and his wife, Loren.
Workouts and healthy nutrition were big considerations when planning and implementing this program, according to Beason. Mandatory workouts were built into the schedule, and the students ate healthy meals with an international flair.
“On the first Sunday we were all able to attend service at the Florence church that HUF directors Robbie and Mona Shackelford and Avanti directors David and Debbie Woodruff attend,” Beason said. “We worshipped in Italian and in English. There were song books of both languages; prayers were led in both languages, and the speaker had Robbie to translate his lesson into English for the HUF and BAT groups.”
The students spent the majority of their time in Italy, visiting Florence, Rome, Pisa, the Italian Riviera and Cinque Terre, Beason said. While touring the sites, they were able to learn about Italy’s art and history, visiting many of the museums and old churches in several of the cities.
“I have experienced and learned more than I could have imagined while being here,” senior Jessica Heinrich said. “I have overcome fears and have come to very much appreciate another culture.”
The BAT group also traveled to Germany, taking a cruise down the Rhine River and playing the basketball team from the University of Mainz. Beason said they also visited the Gutenberg Museum in Mainz as well as touring a professional soccer stadium.
Many of the students expressed sincere gratitude in being able to travel and study abroad, an opportunity not usually afforded to athletes with year-round sports schedules.
“I am so thankful that I have had the opportunity to come on this trip and experience everything I have,” junior Ty Finley said.
Beason also said he was grateful for the chance to travel with Harding athletes and referred to the program as a great success.
“I believe this program reaches a part of the student body that has not been reached before; a group that represents our university in a very public way in regards to an international study opportunity,” Beason said. “I am confident this program has only benefitted Harding and her students who were able to participate. It was a privilege to be a part of journey for each of them.”
