Fox Cities News

The Lawrence University men’s basketball team is preparing for a significant three-game road trip. The Vikings are set to depart on June 16 for a 10-day journey to Greece, an excursion that head coach Casey Korn anticipates will be transformative for the team.

"The mission of our program, it's about people, it's about experiences, it's about relationships," Korn stated. "We are hoping to give them a core memory, a lifelong memory."

Korn, who has just completed his third season with the Vikings, previously experienced a similar trip to Spain while serving as an assistant at UW-Oshkosh. He noted the lasting impact of that experience: "I was fortunate enough to go on one of these with the Oshkosh program, and I have no idea how we did in the games," he said. "I can give you some very detailed stories about the tours. Having that and knowing how much it impacted me as an adult, it was something I wanted to find a way to do for our young men and our basketball family."

The Vikings will compete against Maroussi B.C., Athens Select, and Doukas B.C. over eight days in Greece.

"We're still trying to win the games when we go to Greece," said sophomore guard Hogan Demovsky. "We're going to enjoy Greece, show up for the games and try to win, but it's not the most important thing in the world. You can play basketball games in Appleton, Wisconsin, but we're going to Greece."

Demovsky expressed his excitement over this international opportunity: "We're all super close. We were talking about it a couple of days ago; we've known each other for nine months, but I feel like they are best friends in my life," he said. "We're going to explore together, and it will be something I'll look back at as one of best experiences of my life."

Several team members have never traveled outside the United States before this trip; however, RJ Gamble, Nicolas Manzanera,and Manu Redah have previous international travel experience.

The itinerary includes tours of historic sites such as the Acropolis and Panathenaic Stadium—home of the first modern Olympics—and visits to Santorini and Delphi. The team also plans bike tours in Athens and day cruises around Saronic Islands.

"I'm pumped. I'm most looking forward to the boat tour," said Gamble. "Just enjoying the clear water and views... Going on a cruise is my favorite way to vacation with my family so I'm looking forward to sharing that with my teammates."

Regarding their athletic goals during this trip: “When we play our games, we're looking to compete and win,” Gamble added. “But when we go there it's about sharing the experience with everyone.”

Sophomore Thomas Dimitros brings a unique perspective as an Athens native eager to guide his teammates through his homeland: "I feel blessed and lucky... not only because they will come to my country but because I have met them and they helped me when I needed someone back in the United States," Dimitros said.

Nicholas Gouriotis also shares Greek heritage but has never visited Greece or flown before this trip.

Korn believes such experiences distinguish Lawrence University: “We want our guys to understand where the ball is taking us,” Korn emphasized while highlighting Lawrence's study-abroad programs.

Fans can follow updates from Lawrence men's basketball on social media platforms including Facebook (Lawrence University Men's Basketball), X (@LUVikingsMBB), Instagram (luvikingsmbb), and TikTok (luvikingsmbb).