September 13th, 2015 | Uncategorized
Basketball season is back and I am very fortunate this year to be able to play on two basketball teams. I will be playing for the college team called the UL Wolves and also the Premier League team called the UL Eagles. I have had 5 practices so far with the Eagles and this weekend we had our preseason tournament.
I did not get a lot of playing time at NC State so I have been anxiously waiting to play in my first game over here since I first landed. The night before the tournament I was like child on christmas eve. I couldn’t fall asleep and I stayed up thinking about how the games would go. I was so focused on finally getting my chance to play that I didn’t realize the main reason of the tournament until I arrived at the gym before the game.
The tournament was called the Stuart Robbins Memorial Tournament. Stuart Robbins was a UL Eagles player that unfortunately passed away five years ago. The tournament consisted of four Premier League teams, a USA Select team, and a Stuart Robbins All-Star team. The All-Star team is what caught my attention. It was a team put together of Stuart’s friends and former teammates (although some of his former teammates are still on the Eagles). These guys where in their mid-30’s and most didn’t play basketball anymore. But this tournament allows them every year to come back to Limerick and be on the same team again playing the sport they love to honor their friend. The tournament wasn’t about wins or losses but it was about bringing back together longtime friends to celebrate Stuart’s life. After the tournament, the Eagles and the All-Stars all went out to eat and socialize at a local tavern. The night was full of laughs and good times and I felt extremely fortunate to take part in this special weekend.
“Sport Connects Life” was the name of my first blog post and this tournament is another example of that power.
Victory Scholar: Staats Battle
Present University: University of Limerick
US League: ACC
Club/Community Partner: UL Huskies
Alma Mater: North Carolina State University
Sponsored by: Team Ireland
