For Gettysburg College student-athletes, donor generosity plays a significant role in shaping the undergraduate experience. In May, the men’s basketball team embarked on an international trip to eight cities across Europe. In August, the men’s soccer team will depart for a week-long adventure in Costa Rica. Both teams deeply appreciate the support of alumni, family, and friends, whose contributions have made these unforgettable trips possible.
Over the course of eight days, the men’s basketball team visited Mechelen, Paris, Bruges, Brussels, Amsterdam, and Antwerp. While the team competed in three games overseas—two of which were against the strongest teams in Belgium—the significance of the trip extended much farther than the basketball court.
“It was really cool to travel abroad and take in the beautiful architecture, artwork, food, culture, and music, and to be able to do it with my teammates who are my best friends in the entire world,” said Jake Bertolini-Felice ’25.
“I was really proud to watch our guys take advantage of what every country, every city, and every activity had to offer,” reflected Head Coach B.J. Dunne. “You do trips like these so your guys can embrace and experience different cultures, become more worldly, and increase their empathy and understanding of the world that we live in. Half of our roster is international students, so it was important for us to do this type of trip for our domestic student-athletes to experience a week in the life of our international student-athletes.”
A central objective for the Bullets was to garner philanthropic support from alumni, family, and friends, ensuring that every player could have the opportunity to experience the international trip with their teammates. The initiative was designed to create an invaluable team experience, strengthen team bonds, and provide an opportunity for players to deepen their intercultural fluency—one of the enduring skills that Gettysburg College recognizes as most valued by employers.
“The fact that we were able to go overseas and not have to worry about expenses was the biggest blessing that I could have asked for. It allowed us to focus on having a great time with teammates, brothers, and best friends,” said Bertolini-Felice. “I think it really speaks to the types of individuals who make up the Gettysburg College brotherhood. The alumni really wanted to do everything they could to give back and enhance our experience.”
“We talk a lot about the brotherhood in our program,” Dunne added. “It’s not just showing up for someone. It’s expressing true, genuine love and care, and having a deep understanding that everyone has different life experiences. When you take the different backgrounds and personalities that make up our locker room and place them in a foreign country that they have to navigate together, I think intercultural fluency enhances naturally.”
In August, the men’s soccer team will embark on a trip to Costa Rica, where they will participate in training sessions and friendly matches, attend a professional match, and take part in a professional coaching clinic.
“We feel taking an opportunity to visit another country and play sports will be a great hands-on cultural experience for our players. I think the trip will provide a memorable and unique experience that our players will remember for a lifetime, and it will help them get to know each other a lot better,” shared Head Coach Mark Mettrick. “A big thank you to our generous alumni donors and parents for supporting the trip”
Read more about the Gettysburg College men’s basketball trip to Europe and prepare to follow along with the men’s soccer trip in August on their Instagram.
By Brooke Askin ’25
Photos by Abbey Frisco
Posted: 07/24/24