This final "journal entry" is written with one goal in mind: To accurately
illustrate what the August Men's Tour is all about for future participants.
At the end of the day, this tour is designed to put you in the best
position, with the best exposure possible, to get a job playing as a
professional in Europe. This is a chance to see if you have what it takes,
if Europe has what you want, or if it is time to put closure to your
top-level playing days.
There are a thousand variables to landing a job. The most notable of these
are FIVB and National League Rules (and rule changes), team budgets, and
team openings. There is always the chance that what you have is not what a
team is looking for. Maybe a guy you know you're better than got signed last
year, and you don't. Nothing is an exact formula. But when the dust settles,
this is a proven method for getting guys placed in Europe. It is a foot in
the door that you might not otherwise have had.
It is a tour and a training camp. This year we traveled to two volleyball
destinations and took one day off for touring. We were in small town Spain
for four days (Teruel, home to Spanish SuperLiga team CAI Voleibol Teruel, www.voleibolteruel.com), experienced a day off in the Castle/Pueblo of
Albarracin, and had the chance to go out in Madrid (Spain's Capital). With
the emphasis always on trainings and placements, some of the top coaches and
agents came from around Europe (France, Belgium, Ireland, Spain, Portugal,
etc) to experience the showcase of players.
Those who have what these clubs are looking for, are either signed or taken
back to the team's home court for a trial. And the exposure reaches farther.
Teams and countries not represented "in person" are certainly aware of the
goings on. Word travels fast in a small volleyball world and, to that point,
it should be noted that even though the tour was run in Spain, 18 tryouts
occurred in a separate European country.
When the dust settled from this years tour, this is what had been arranged
(as of August 24, 2008) for 22 of the 37 that started out in Teruel, Spain:
Bart Kowalski
Setter
Averbode, Belgium, Div 1 (Signed)
Ryan Stafford
Zone 2
Rottenberg, Germany Div 1 (Signed)
Jasmin Cull
Zone 4
Lycurgus, Holland, Div 1 (Signed)
Garrett Lough
Zone 3
Belfast Northern Ireland, Div 1 (Signed)
Brock Ullrich
Zone 4
Lares Puerto Rico, Div 1, (Signed)
Fletcher Anderson
Zone 3/2
Orkelljunga, Sweden, Div 1, (Signed)
Andre Brogeaud
Zone 4
Habo Volley, Sweden, Div 1 (Signed)
Kevin McColloch
Zone 4
Lennik, Belgium, Div 1 (on Trial)
Norihiko Takeuchi
Zone 4
Orkelljunga, Sweden, Div 1 (Trial, opted to return to Japan)
Jake Schkud
Zone 2
Klagenfurt, Austria Div 1, (Trial)
Adam Schlesinger
Zone 2/Setter
Eindhoven, Holland, Div 2, (Trial)
Eric Vincent
Zone 3
Nova Gorica, Slovenia, Div 1 (Trial)
David Elliott Adams
Zone 3
Klagenfurt, Austria, Div 1 (Trial)
Blake Gentry
Zone 3
Schutdorf, German, Div 2 (Trial)
John Daze
Zone 4
Marienlyst, Denmark, Div 1 (Trial)
Vince Zanzucchi
Zone 4
Marienlyst, Denmark Div 1 (Trial)
Matthew Vanzant
Zone 4
Slovenia, Div 1 (Trial)
Tyson Norton
Zone 4
Traveling in Europe (awaiting trial opportunity)
Chong Liu
Zone 2/4
Traveling in Europe (awaiting trial opportunity)
Aaron Mansfield
Libero
Traveling in Europe (possible trial for Benfica, Portugal, Div 1)
Tyler Adams
Libero
Traveling in Europe (awaiting trial opportunity)
Peter Gecelovsky
Zone 3
Staying in Madird for Basketball Tryouts
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