Troy University Athletics Announces Study Abroad Initiative; All Student-Athletes to Make Foreign Trip During Four-Year Career

TROY, Ala. – Troy University Chancellor Dr. Jack Hawkins Jr. and Troy Director of Athletics Brent Jones announced Friday an aggressive study abroad initiative for Troy's 400-plus student-athletes to provide each an opportunity to make a foreign trip during their four-year career at Troy.
 
"Study abroad is a vital part of the TROY experience, and every student should have this opportunity," Dr. Hawkins said. "It has been a remarkable experience to see our students go abroad, many of whom have traveled so little, and come back not only appreciating the world around them but, more importantly, appreciating this great country. I applaud this initiative on behalf of our student-athletes."
 
Backed by an initiative from Chancellor Hawkins, the foreign trips will allow Troy's student-athletes to expand their knowledge by visiting unique cultures and participating in educational experiences, community service projects and competitions or clinics with local athletes and youth while on their trips.
 
"This is an incredible initiative that continues to build upon our standard of providing the best student-athlete experience possible at Troy University," Jones said. "I am so appreciative of the support and vision from Chancellor Hawkins to make this program become a reality. The study abroad initiative will provide our student-athletes an opportunity to travel outside of our borders, often for the first time in their lives, and enrich their life experience by immersing themselves in other cultures through community service, education, sport, and some fun as well."
 
Funding for the trips will come from the Athletics Department and the Chancellor's Award for Global Competitiveness, which is available to all of Troy's student population thanks to the Troy Car Tag Program.
 
The initiative has already begun to see returns as head coach Scott Cross took his men's basketball team on a week-long trip to Costa Rica in August; it was the first time that 12 of the 14 student-athletes on the trip had been outside the United States. The Trojans played three games in addition to gaining valuable team-boding time, assisting youth in the area with clinics and exploring the vast cultural offerings in the country. Additionally, this fall, the Troy men's golf traveled to the Bahamas and competed in the Bahamas NCAA Invitational.
 
Student-athletes that compete on teams that do not have an opportunity for international competition will be granted efforts for individual or group travel within their sports with a focus on camps and clinics in addition to experience learning opportunities and community service. 
 
Troy University is home to more than 1,000 international students from 70 countries worldwide and is proud to carry the title of Alabama's International University. This new Troy Athletics initiative centers on providing student-athletes with experiences across the globe, primarily focusing on South America and Latin America.