July 15, 2003

The 49ers volleyball program is getting involved in programs that give athletes the opportunity to travel and play in Europe. The Niners encourage their athletes to experience other styles of volleyball and once they are done with their college eligibility, pursue a professional contract.

Assistant coach Kevin Campbell and recent graduate Laura Darnell took this unique opportunity in January to experience professional European volleyball. For 10 days, the two traveled with approximately two dozen college graduates, the Bring It staff and one other coach to Germany, Austria, Slovenia and the Czech Republic.

As a member of the Bring It Promotions Exposure Tour, Darnell practiced with and competed against a variety of European professional teams, while Campbell got a taste of coaching at an international level.

Despite cultural differences, both Darnell and Campbell agreed that the style of volleyball and the skill of the players varied by country. In Campbell's opinion, some of the professional teams they encountered were better than the top college programs in the U.S., while others were at a much lower level. One characteristic that stood out to Darnell was the difference in enthusiasm.

"In America we have more upbeat games and we usually get very excited," said Darnell, "I would say the team from Prague was most comparable to our skill level and excitement. They trained a lot and were very big."

The average professional team in Europe has a much more laid back style and approaches the game much more reserved.

One constant was the libero position, a defensive position that has been a part of the international game for years but used for the first time at the collegiate level last season. With Darnell being a libero, the Bring It Tour allowed her to match her defensive skills against players who have played internationally their entire careers.

Players were allowed the chance not only to play, but to watch official matches between professional teams and become acquainted with the hectic travel and schedule associated with being a professional athlete.

The tour is designed as a tryout for the various professional teams. It is possible at any time during the tour that an athlete could be asked to remain to play with one of the teams. Other athletes were sent off the tour to other parts of Europe to tryout with teams needing players. Of approximately 24 players who chose to go, over half remained in Europe to play. If signed, players immediately set up residence for up to six months in the locale of the team. Compensation can come in the form of food, lodging, utilities, transportation and salary. Benefits for players are proportional to skill and caliber of the team to which they are signed. Two of the participants from Conference USA, Jolene Patton and Michelle Collier from South Florida, decided to remain in Europe to play. Three other players traveled to Indonesia for professional volleyball contracts.

Darnell, an All-Conference USA pick as a senior last fall, decided that furthering her education was more important than playing in Europe.

"If the right tour and the right organization had pursued me I probably would have stayed," she said. "It would be a fun lifestyle for a year or so, but I think for any sport overseas, just because it's professional doesn't mean it is the right skill level. If you're going to play, be sure to pay attention to the division and the status of the team before you sign."

So what was in it for the coaches who decided to participate in the program? Campbell was surprised by the lack of female coaches in Europe.

"In fact, many of the coaches didn't even approach me to shake hands because they didn't think I was a coach," Campbell said. "It's just different culturally in that way, not like here, where we have many female coaches."

Despite the rigorous scheduling of the tour, Darnell found time to see the sights Europe had to offer. This included the opportunity to visit the Dachau concentration camp in Germany and the chance to ski the mountains of Austria and Slovenia. In her journal from the tour, Darnell described a day of skiing with the group.

"After a wonderful day of skiing/snowboarding in the beautiful Alps of Seefeld, we all loaded the bus and the car for the trip back to Innsbruck to eat at no other place but McDonalds. Woohoo! Although excited to see the familiar colors of good ol' Mickey Ds, the restaurant and even food selection do vary from what we are accustomed to."

It seems that even top athletes can't resist the comfort of American food when in the midst of another culture. The two had a great experience while on the Bring It Tour in Europe. Campbell and Darnell hope that more of Charlotte's student-athletes take advantage of the opportunity to participate in the future.