(August 23, 2024) — UniUSA announced this week that Sports Reach Basketball has been chosen to be the USA Team at the 2024 FISU America Games, a PanAm version of the World University Games that will include 13 sports. The 2024 FISU America Games, a prestigious sporting event held every two years, will unfold in Cali, Colombia, November 5-14. This edition promises to be a showcase of athletic prowess and cultural richness, embracing the spirit of unity and competition.
Sports Reach is a ministry that was created in 1986 to give American university athletes the opportunity to do mission work through the platform of sports, travel the world, experience international basketball play, meet new people and learn about and participate in new cultures. This team will be made up of 10 players that have recently graduated from different universities from across the country. The tour will be from November 3rd through November 15th, 2024.
Before embarking to Colombia, the team will attend a four-day training camp in Waco, Texas where they will train for games, prepare for their mission work and cross-cultural experience. In Colombia, games will be scheduled with university teams from North, Central and South America. The team will also get to see several other sporting events at the games and get to experience the local culture and see what is considered some of the most beautiful places on earth.
Sports Reach is actively looking for college level players that are between 18 and 25 years old and that have recently graduated from college or that are currently pursuing a college degree. The coaching staff will be contacting college coaches looking for player recommendations in the coming weeks with the goal of finalizing the roster by October 1.
The team will be coached by Head Coach Kelly Combs and a staff of other coaches. Coach Combs has 18 years of college coaching experience and 18 years international coaching experience. This is the first tour he has coached to Colombia. Coach Combs says, “I am very excited about this opportunity to represent Team USA in this tournament. Because this is a ‘University Games’ we will be able to meet and share with many different athletes from several different sports from many different countries. I believe this is a great opportunity for these young men to get international playing experience while making new friendships and giving them a chance to grow personally. Sports provides such a unique experience for these guys, and because of basketball they will get to go to a new country developing friendships with the influencers of other countries. It will be a life changing experience for all who go”.
Players and Coaches interested in learning more about this opportunity can contact Head Coach Kelly Combs at kelly@sportsreach.org .
About UniUSA
UniUSA (formerly USIUSF) is the official representative and governing body for the United States in all FISU events (Winter and Summer World University Games, World University Championships, and FISU World Cups.) Under the leadership of President Dan Guerrero, and Secretary General Lori Thomas, UniUSA is comprised of the membership of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA), and the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA). A 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization, incorporated in 1968, UniUSA has organized elite teams of American student-athletes in global competition for more than 5 decades. www.USATeam.org
About BTI Events, LLC
BTI Events is the managing partner for the UniUSA, the American arm of FISU. A comprehensive athletic event management company, BTI Events facilitates and provides logistical support for all types of athletic teams traveling to domestic and international events, including U.S. athletes competing in the World University Games. Under the direction of the UniUSA, BTI Events assists U.S. athletes in managing Games and Championships administration, logistics, and information resources.
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