Hilltoppers in Costa Rica - 2017
BOWLING GREEN, Ky. — WKU Hilltopper Basketball will get a head start on the upcoming 2017-18 season by participating in a seven-day foreign tour to Costa Rica in August.
The Hilltoppers will play three games against pro, club or international college teams in Costa Rica while on the overseas trip, which takes place Aug. 7-14.
Per NCAA rules, programs are allowed to take a foreign tour once every four years, although this is the first such trip for WKU since the Hilltoppers traveled to Spain prior to the 2005-06 season.
NCAA rules allow WKU the opportunity to conduct 10 practices in Bowling Green prior to leaving for the tour.
"Getting the 10 days of practice is what's kind of special about these trips," WKU men's basketball head coach Rick Stansbury said. "And then what's good, especially with a brand-new team, is the opportunity to bond for the seven days we're over there."
The Hilltoppers will arrive in San Jose, Costa Rica, on Aug. 7 and are scheduled to play three games in the following days. After wrapping up their competition on the court, WKU will head to the Los Suenos area for the rest of its stay to experience the local culture, including excursions and other team activities.
In addition to content on the team's Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube channels, check back here for complete coverage of the Hilltoppers' trip!
DURING THE TRIP
August 14
• The Hilltoppers left Costa Rica on Monday after a week full of learning about each other on and off the court. Read more about how the trip gave the team a chance to bond!
August 13
• WKU went on a 4-wheeler excursion into the mountains and rainforest Saturday morning. Check out a photo gallery from their mud-soaked day!
August 12
• The Hilltoppers went ziplining through the rainforest in the Los Suenos area Friday morning. Check out the photo gallery and video highlights!
August 11
• The Hilltoppers spent Thursday traveling and stopping at the famous Crocodile Bridge in Costa Rica, but read more about how the games in San Jose gave WKU a chance to evaluate itself.
August 10
• The Hilltoppers capped a 3-0 foreign tour with a 118-63 rout of Laurentian University. Read the recap and watch postgame interviews with Coach Stansbury, Justin Johnson, Taveion Hollingsworth and Tyler Miller!
• Earlier in the day, WKU visited the Association of Works for the Holy Spirit, a nearby orphanage in Costa Rica. Check out the photo gallery from the visit and some video of what the players said was an unbelievable experience!
• WKU Costa Rica correspondent Jordan Brangers interviews freshman wing Marek Nelson, as well as a special guest from our trip to the orphanage!
August 9
• The Hilltoppers rolled past the Costa Rica National Team for a 99-69 win. Read the recap and watch postgame interviews with Coach Stansbury, Jake Ohmer and Marek Nelson!
• WKU started the day with a tour of the Sibu chocolate factory and got to sample several different chocolates. Check out a few photos from their visit.
• WKU Costa Rica correspondent Jordan Brangers interviews redshirt junior guard Lamonte Bearden after visiting Sibu chocolate!
August 8
• The Hilltoppers opened play with a 104-98 victory over Laurentian University. Read all about it and watch postgame interviews with Coach Stansbury, Justin Johnson and Lamonte Bearden!
• Check out a photo gallery from warmups at BN Arena before the Hilltoppers defeated Laurentian!
• Earlier in the day, the team took a city tour of San Jose. Check out this photo gallery from some of their adventures!
• WKU Costa Rica correspondent Jordan Brangers interviews senior guard Tyler Miller, with a special guest at San Jose's local market!
August 7
• WKU's Costa Rica correspondent, junior guard Jordan Brangers, interviews senior forward Justin Johnson as the Hilltoppers arrive at their hotel in San Jose, Costa Rica!
BEFORE THE TRIP
• Take some time to get to know the Hilltoppers who will be making the trip to Costa Rica by viewing the roster here.
• WKU will face Canada's Laurentian University twice and the Costa Rica National Team on its trip. Check out the game details.
• Coach Stansbury met with the media on Friday, Aug. 4 to discuss the team's practices ahead of the trip, and said he's been pleased with the work ethic and attitude.
• The Hilltoppers scrimmaged Friday to prepare for next week's Costa Rica trip and also got a visit from WKU President Timothy C. Caboni. Check out a photo gallery from the action.
