News
August 11, 2015Siena’s Patsos, Manning Heading Overseas to Coach
Siena head coach Jimmy Patsos has been enlisted in “Operation Hardwood” by United Service Organizations (USO) and Armed Forces Entertainment. Patsos and several other US college coaches leave this week for the Persian Gulf, where it’s expected they will tour military bases to help lift the morale of soldiers through basketball instruction.
Patsos’ top assistant Greg Manning will simultaneously lead a team of college student athletes on an eight-day, four-game tour of Croatia. Rising junior point guard Marquis Wright and incoming freshman guard Kenny Wormley are among the 10 players on Manning’s diverse roster who will compete against professional teams.
“I’m happy to be involved,” Patsos said of Operation Hardwood. “They’re the real heroes. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and something I’m really looking forward to. We owe a lot to these guys.”
It’s the 10th anniversary of Operation Hardwood, which was created by USO in 2005 to boost morale and bring a touch of home to those in uniform according to their website. Operation Hardwood has deployed more than 35 NCAA basketball coaches and sports personalities to Kuwait and Japan over the last 10 years.
Exact details of this year’s Operation Hardwood tour have not been made available by the USO, but the organization is expected to send regular updates throughout the mission. In the past, coaches have worked with teams of soldiers in Kuwait, participating in combat drills, tank simulations, and visiting injured troops in the hospital. Patsos’ mentor Gary Williams joined Tom Izzo, Rick Barnes and Kelvin Sampson on the 2006 Operation Hardwood II tour.
This is the third time in the last four years that Manning has coached college players against international competition overseas through the Global Sports Academy.
“It’s going to be a good experience for all the players,” Manning said. “Marquis and Kenny will get a chance to play against professional teams. This is like training camp and exhibition games for them. It’s a very good level over there.”
The team departs from Washington on Wednesday afternoon for Split, Croatia – the largest city on the Adriatic Coast. Games are set for August 15, 16, 17 and 19, and tours are scheduled in Split, Trogir, Zadar, Dubrovnik, Omis and a full day visit to Montenegro August 18.
Manning coached an 11-player team in Belgium and Germany in 2012 and a 10-man team that included Siena players Lavon Long and Javion Ogunyemi in Brussels, London, Amsterdam and Paris last summer. Global Sports Academy is encouraging people to follow the trip through social media through the hashtag #GSAManning.
To see an interview with Coach Patsos, please click here.
To see an interview with Coach Manning, please click here.
