Valpo Players, Staff Heading on AIA Trips

VALPARAISO, Ind. -- Three Valparaiso men's basketball players will be making trips with Athletes in Action teams this August. Senior Bobby Capobianco (Loveland, Ohio/Loveland [Indiana]) and juniors David Chadwick (Charlotte, N.C./Hargrave Military Academy [Rice]) and Vashil Fernandez (Kingston, Jamaica/Princeton Day [Md.] Academy) will all be traveling overseas, while Crusader assistant coach Roger Powell Jr. will serve as head coach for one of the teams as well.

"The purpose of the AIA tours is to provide an opportunity for athletes and coaches to grow in their faith while experiencing the culture of another country," said Mike Sigfrids of Athletes in Action, who will be accompanying the Lithuania tour. "We also desire to communicate our faith in Christ where opportunities present themselves. The tour provides opportunities for players to test their talents in international competition."

Fernandez is part of an AIA squad heading to New Zealand for a tour Aug. 1-18, while Capobianco will join a team heading to Jamaica Aug. 7-21. For Capobianco, it is his second straight year going on an overseas tour, as he was part of a team which headed to East Asia last summer. Meanwhile, Chadwick is one of 10 players on a squad which will travel to Lithuania Aug. 7-19, a team which will be coached by Powell.

"We are really excited about our players being able to go on AIA trips," said Crusader head coach Bryce Drew. "It is a great blessing for them to learn about God, preach the Gospel, and play basketball all while experiencing a different culture."

(Release courtesy of ValpoAthletics.com)