Yesterday, we chronicled Creighton’s adventures in traveling to Italy for their summer tour. Today we’ll look at what they’ve been up to after arriving!
On the ground in Italy! #ForzaJays pic.twitter.com/NNPdRplMOL
— Creighton Basketball (@BluejayMBB) August 5, 2015
After landing, the team took in some sightseeing in Milan.
The Bluejays are enjoying some site seeing on a warm day in Milan! #forzajays A photo posted by Creighton Men’s Basketball (@bluejaymbb) on
Where some of the guys got lost:
We already got lost here in Italy… We all thought we knew where we were going
— Khyri Thomas (@KhyriT) August 5, 2015
And some of the guys ran into an old friend.
Chilling with @RealCarrotTop part 2 ft WOP pic.twitter.com/GEMXxaRGrC — Justin Patton (@JustinPatton17) August 6, 2015
Carrot Top pic.twitter.com/fWIxFpBYmP
— Khyri Thomas (@KhyriT) August 6, 2015
Eventually, they regrouped and went out to a team dinner, where assistant Steve Merfeld got more than he bargained for.
These Italian restaurants sure have a funny way of disguising clams, as Steve Merfeld can attest. #ForzaJays pic.twitter.com/0OJmLIqI2T — Rob Anderson (@_robanderson) August 5, 2015
Meanwhile, Justin Patton got adventurous, trying clam, squid, and octopus!
Here’s a collage of other meals enjoyed by the band of Travelin’ Jays:
Team dinner tonight..everyone had very good meals! #forzajays A photo posted by Creighton Men’s Basketball (@bluejaymbb) on
Cole Huff recapped the team’s first day in Italy on the trip’s blog, where he noted:
“Dinner was served only a few steps away from our hotel at the Ristorante Albero del Pepe. It was only right that we set our stomachs on the famous Italian foods. Looking across the room, the plates mostly varied from Pizza, Lasagna, and Spaghetti. There really wasn’t too much detail to get into here other than the fact that we cracked some jokes about one another, and stuffed ourselves with food. We capped off dinner with some gelato, my personal favorite thing about Italy. As you continue to support us on social media, don’t be surprised if you find some off-guard photos of me with a gelato cone in my hand! Speaking of support, you guys are the best! We can’t thank you enough for allowing us to have this opportunity that many people only dream of. Thank for all of your continued support. We will continue to be the best representation of the University. Signing out from Milan, #ForzaJays!”
Day three of the trip (and the second day in Italy) began with a sightseeing trip in Bellagio. This sign greeted them outside a church they visited — no gelato cones, no dogs, no cell phones, no…1980’s clip art?
Interesting sign to greet us as we head into a church in Bellagio. pic.twitter.com/wmInNKGYOI — Rob Anderson (@_robanderson) August 6, 2015
While walking the streets of Bellagio, they ran into the Clemson Women’s Basketball team:
While in Bellagio, we ran into the Clemson Women’s Basketball team, seen here with former Tigers assistant Len Gordy. pic.twitter.com/HisarxUFjl — Rob Anderson (@_robanderson) August 6, 2015
And toured the narrow cobblestone streets:
Later, they took a boat tour of nearby Lake Como, where the notably shorter tour guide asked for a photo with Creighton’s two tallest players:
Our Lake Como tour guides wanted a photo with @GGroselle & @JustinPatton17, @BluejayMBB‘s 2 tallest guys. #ForzaJays pic.twitter.com/Bnsb6PrlX5 — Rob Anderson (@_robanderson) August 6, 2015
Lake Como was incredible #ForzaJays pic.twitter.com/9Ou79K8prq — Drew Cayce (@Uncle_drew23) August 6, 2015
Fun with a selfie stick. #ForzaJays pic.twitter.com/wsUHUa5GKf — Rob Anderson (@_robanderson) August 6, 2015
And serenaded Alex O’Neill on his 18th birthday:
Creighton’s Alex O’Neill is serenaded on his 18th birthday on Italy’s Lake Como by his @BluejayMBB family. http://t.co/BJPWE321P2 #ForzaJays
— Creighton Basketball (@BluejayMBB) August 6, 2015
Malik Albert and Geoff Groselle shared their thoughts on the trip so far with GoCreighton.com:
And Groselle wrote this in a blog update:
“The most important objective for this trip is team bonding. Like the Bahamas trip four years ago that helped send us to three consecutive NCAA tournaments, this Italy trip is looking pretty promising. The team’s comeraderie is at an all-time high and we are all having a blast.”
On Friday, the Jays will play their first game of the trip in Oleggio. WBR will have a full recap following the game!
