Hawkeyes' European trip will make memories to last a lifetime

The University of Iowa men’s basketball trip to Europe has me thinking back to 1981, when coach Lute Olson took his Hawks to play in South America. There were many differences traveling and playing back then, but one thing is constant: a rich opportunity to broaden young men’s horizons. I asked Olson and some of my teammates for their reflections and, interestingly, very few of the cherished memories had to do with basketball.

Overseas travel was different in 1981 — no internet, social media, fax machines or cell phones. Basketball was hardly the global game it is today. It’s hard to imagine arranging such a trip dependent on the postal service and international phone calls over static-filled, echoing landlines. We experienced logistical nightmares and playing conditions today’s kids couldn’t imagine: open air gyms enclosed on three sides, a court surrounded by a 10-feet-tall chain link fence — we were told it was needed to protect the referees. We played on courts of concrete and slippery linoleum, reminding me of my elementary school gym. And, perhaps worst of all, at a few games, the only available basketballs were made of rubber.