August 10, Sunday Pre-Tour Training in Maribor
August 11, Monday Maribor, 2 Trainings
August 12, Tuesday Maribor, 2 Trainings
August 13, Wednesday Maribor, AM Training - PM Match vs. OK Maribor
August 14, Thursday Ljubljana, Match vs. Olympia
August 15, Friday AM Swimming in Bled, Slovenia - PM match vs. Klagenfurt, Austria
August 16, Saturday Training in Graz, Austria
August 17, Sunday Day Off in Klagenfurt, Austria
August 18, Monday PM Match vs. Unterhaching, Germany
August 19, Tuesday AM Training, PM Match vs. Unterhaching
August 20, Wednesday AM Match vs. Unterhaching
August 21, Thursday Fellbach, Match vs. Fellbach, Germany
August 22, Friday Match vs. Fellbach, Germany
August 23, Saturday Match vs. TV Rottenburg, Germany
August 24, Sunday AM Match in Rottenburg - Afternoon Drop-off in Munich, Germany

…and the players involved…

Dan Clegg 198 zone 3
Kirt Petersen 199 zone 3/2 - Eindhoven, NL
Brian Nordberg 195 zone 3/2 - Bellaing, France
Chris Mortimer 185 libero
Robert Reaugh 182 setter/libero
Bill McNally 191 zone 2
Jarett Jensen 195 zone 4/2 - Rosario, Argentina
Andrew Olree 192 zone 4/2
Scott Kittleson 195 zone 3 - Novo Mesto, SLO
Scott Lahey 192 zone 4/libero
Will Paulson 190 zone 4
Nick Cheever 199 zone 3
Lucas Wisniakowski 191 zone 2/4 TBA - Poland
Tommy Dixon 194 zone 4/2 - Malaga, Spain
Sean Riley 195 middle
Alexander Kowell 200 middle
Andy Rivera 192 zone 4 Soria, Spain
Greg Bridgeman 193 zone 4/2
Cory Paddock 190 zone 4/libero -Rottenburg, Germany

Injuries sidelined Dan Clegg (pulled quad) and Andrew Olree (blown ankle), both of whom decided to head home early due to their injuries.

The three names at the bottom were our late or non-arrivers. Andy came in on the 18th (halfway) and helped revitalize the team just as we were starting to go into a slump. He left for Spain on the last day and fortunately signed a few days later. Greg Bridgeman and Cory Paddock were early-arrivers that were on personal tryouts for the duration of “their tour”. We had planned to have them meet up with us during the 2 weeks, but it just didn’t happen. Cory had a great attitude and landed a job in TV Rottenburg, Germany after visiting 4 teams throughout Belgium, Holland, and Germany. Greg had a little different experience and decided to call it quits and head home after visiting with 3 teams and learning that Euro-volley just wasn’t for him.

In lieu of any “player updates”, I’m going to end this year’s “journal” with some comments from the guys. I wrote to everyone asking them for something for posterity, and here’s all I got back:

Chris Mortimer:
“I really didn’t know what to expect coming into the tour but I think that anyone who is looking into playing in Europe should know that you will get out of it what you are willing to put into it. That doesn’t mean that you can’t party in Russian “discotecas” in Austria or celebrate good times at the Hofbrahaus in Munich. But it does mean that you are going to work very hard, play volleyball in places you could never imagine against teams you have never seen or heard of, and meet an amazing variety of other individuals looking to see Europe and play a high level of volleyball at the same time. Don’t come in expecting a contract, but come in expecting to have as much fun in two weeks as you will ever have. If you get a contract, figure that is just icing on the cake. I’m looking forward to Bring It USA’s Vegas Reunion Tour 2004."

Will "Christopher Walken-Harry Carey-Robert" Paulson:
“My Tour Experience: It was an absolutely great time. Playing volleyball was only a small portion of the tour. I have a tough time remembering all the teams we played, where, and the results. But I will never forget the sights, meals, van rides, and of course, nights out. From what Tim talked about, it is getting tougher and tougher to land a job playing in Europe. But that should not deter you from going on tour. You will not be disappointed. The tour was, and will be great in the future. If you happen to land a job playing in Europe while a part of the tour, that is just an added bonus. (Remember: you will be doing all your laundry in the shower while in tour. So, bring light clothes and some detergent.)

What I learned about European leagues: The vast majority of European volleyball leagues are not how we know professional sports leagues. Each team has a small budget. Many domestic players don’t get paid a lot, if they even get paid at all. A Dutch player on a Dutch Honor Division Team will be going to school full-time or have a daily job to pay his bills. Playing volleyball is more of a hobby than a profession. An international player, an American or Canadian, must walk into the gym and immediately be the team's savior. Internationals are going to be getting paid far more than their domestic teammates, and the expectations for those internationals are going to be far higher. An international player making more than anyone else on the team can be easily be replaced by a less talented domestic player making nothing at all. European teams are barely even professional, I would call them pro-am teams. If this is something you really want to do, talk to Tim months before the tour. Even if you happen to land a great paying “pro” job, you will have so much free time that you will want to get an outside job to keep occupied. Well, that's a little bit of what I learned. I'll see you all in Vegas for the Tour Reunion. Keep your stick on the ice.”

Jarett Jensen:
“The Tour: Of course you have expectations going into a trip of this magnitude. For myself it was no different. Let me first describe the realities of the trip, and then launch into what made it an amazing experience. First reality: It is very difficult to get signed. Most people feel that because they come on the tour they should be guaranteed a job, which is not true. You will have looks and maybe a tryout, but one should be expecting to enjoy the time here and if the opportunity presents itself to stay and take a contract, then that is a bonus. Second reality: Learn to deal with unpredictability of coaches, tour directors, players and circumstances. This trip is planned a lot on a short term basis, so it will help if you go into it having a flexible attitude, and willing to make work the options that Tim or others have provided. Third reality: You will have an amazing time and meet a great group of guys, see beautiful sites, but only if you are willing to. If you have the gung-ho personality, and can take a few mishaps then this trip will be one of the best of your life. Look where you are – you’re in fricken Europe, take advantage! Even if nothing pans out for volleyball during the trip, take time after to travel and see all you can. Remember, once you step back on that plane to go home, there’s no coming back. There were guys that for reasons of missed opportunities, frustration, or lack of funds that just packed bags and went home. If you do this right away you will feel like you didn’t get your money’s worth, I guarantee it. Who knows, the longer you hang around the better your chances are that something else will pop up, and because you are there you will get the chance for the tryout - not your buddy who went home. So, when asking yourself am I really going to shell out 750 bones plus the expense of a ticket to fly half way around the world to volley with some guys I hardly know, trust a man who speaks five languages and is willing to drive a bus for 5 hours at a time (Euro style), eat food that sometimes you wouldn’t even give your dog, live with the same guys for two weeks, and learn to accept gratuitous nudity without a second glance? If this sounds like a crazy hardcore fun experience, then you should answer yes - without a doubt. But if you are hesitant, maybe you should call your girlfriend back and tell her that the weeklong trip she really wanted to go on to the Carlsbad Flower Fields is now looking pretty good because you realized that you don’t have enough sack for an adventure. Good job TK, the trip was great, volley was fun, food was even better, and to the guys who on the trip (they are real reason that I’m writing the e-mail) - See you in Vegas!”

Dan Clegg:
“Don't come without your own ice bag”

And closing it out in grand fashion,

Team Leader and MVP, Sr. Robert Reaugh:
“Must Bring List (in order to blend in with the Euros):

• 1-2 pr. 3/4 length shantz (aka clam-diggers or jams). Preferably white or navy blue, please remember to stretch the tightening cords so the bottom of the shant can be worn tightly to accentuate calf muscles.
• 1 pr. leather sandals, strappy, please. (although loafers, reptile skin if possible are acceptable substitute)
• 3-4 button down shirts. Solid color please, cotton or linen. May only button 2-3 buttons
• 1 pr. huge sunglasses. Versace or other Euro brand name preferred.
• 1 large tub of Three-flowers hair Gel (although a Barber's Wax may be purchased)
• 1 pr. clippers for accentuating the top center portion of haircut, also known as the faux hawk made popular by David Beckham and Tommy and Jarret.
  

Must Bring List 2 (in order to blend with the tour group):

• Board Shorts
• Rainbow or Locals Sandals (unless physically unable to do so, and must wear Reefs. Thanks Mort).
• Comfortably fitting denim jeans
• Volley shirts from respective University
• Mesh hats
• 1 celebrity impression or memorized bit from comedy routine (Will, Scott, Cheever, God bless you all)
• Cankles
• Huge skater shoes, the chicks dig 'em in the clubs (ain't that right Nordberg?)
• An ability to be comfortable with public nudity.
• Strong Constitution and fast hangover recovery
• Minimum 1 story involving ridiculous six-pack, embarrassing moment, or at least three people on or qualifying for the AVP.
• 1 portable air conditioning unit
• 1 car converter for CD player or discman.
• and finally, one signature "look" e.g. 'La Tigra' or 'Blue Steele' for pictures in discotechas
• (oh yeah, bring a clubbing shirt, and try to have it not be a Grey T-shirt, they don't look too pretty after a night of dancing).
  

Favorite Tour Moments:
I think that I must first acknowledge the friendships I made with some absolutely great guys over this challenging, yet always entertaining month-long tour. It was difficult this year because so few guys were sent out on tryouts, which was discouraging at times, but the upside is that we were able to really create a team atmosphere and bond with the guys. Here are some of my favorite moments in no particular order.

Piecing together the night during the next morning’s drive and volley practice: Maribor clubs and roomie drenching (Nordie, you need help, dude), Klagenfurt goes off at Bulwark as Yankees invade and take over club with new hip dances, The Hofbräuhaus in all of its glory (bless you Alex) plus the subsequent clubbing (and the men who threw themselves on the landmine), followed by return to “Unterhaching Outdoor Schimbad.”

Playing match against Oljmpja Ljublajna. Several moments of impressive play by Bring It. Jarrett blasts the bejeezus out of serve, chesters their libero so hard that he is allowed to watch ball land out of bounds about 15 feet past net on our side. Kittleson bombs several quick sets inside of the 10 foot line, thereby earning the respect and bewildered awe of the opponents and our team. Tommy continues bringing both a supercharge of energy and "the pain" as an OH with an error free hitting performance. I manage to play entire match in spite of seeing double and feeling high from the fumes from the lacquer on the newly refinished court surface and as I remember we won!

Putting on a show in the game of Fignente. TK and I basically dominated Scott, Kirt and Bill, and I must say, it was an incredibly potent combination of Good Cop/Bad Cop. TK, the pleasure was all on this side of the table.

And I will never forget visiting Bled. The "good luck" bell turned out to be only moderately lucky for volleyball, but it was perhaps the most beautiful place I have ever seen and I have TK to thank for that amazing afternoon. I have attempted to describe it with the feelings of inner peace that I get when I sit in the water of Tahoe, except that it was warm, accented by a feeling of ancient history that we just cannot feel in the United States. These feelings, and the beautiful pictures taken by Tommy (especially of me, Jarrett and Nordberg) are filed away as incredible moments that allow me to look back at the tour with a positive look, even though I did not sign with a team. Well, that and the near drowning of Cheever - glad that woman showed up to swim you and Scott out."

Lastly, I want to give a big shout out and “Hvala Lepa” and/or “Danke Schoen” to those that made the tour possible on the European side:
-Mihai Padreuta and his wonderful friends and helpers in Unterhaching
-Radovan Gacic and Big Ed Dolinsek in Maribor, Slovenia
-Johann Huber and his team in Klagenfurt, Austria
-Joerg, Stefan and the crew in Fellbach, Germany
-Hans Peter Mueller and his gang in TV Rottenburg, Germany
-Andreas Arti and Michael Horavath in Graz, Austria
-The coach and team of OK Olimpja in Ljubljana, Slovenia

For info on the 2004 August Tour, please see:
“2004 August Tour Info”