Coach Dave Fuhrman has thought about doing something different
with the Bradford Owls’ basketball schedule for the last couple of
years.
For the 2007-08 season, he’s planning something special for a
special team.
Fuhrman and the varsity players will be traveling to Orlando,
Fla., to participate in the KSA Classic Basketball Tournament at
Walt Disney World Dec. 19-23. The team will stay at the All-Star
Sports hotel on Disney property.
“We should have a pretty good team,” Fuhrman admitted. “We are
returning some players with experience. We have the kind of team
that can compete at this kind of level.
“We have a pretty good group of kids coming back. This is kind
of a reward for those guys.”
The Owls will play three games (Dec. 20, Dec. 21, Dec. 22) in
the annual tournament.
“I talked to some coaches who have been to this tournament,”
Fuhrman said. “They are the ones that sold me on it. It’s an
excellent tourney, well run and well organized with some very good
competition.
“I started looking into this tournament after the season was
over. I made a couple calls to Pittsburgh-area teams that have
played in the tourney in the past. I presented the idea to my
booster club. They were for it.”
Furhman said this year’s team will be up to the task of playing
against a higher caliber of team.
“A trip like this helps the guys come together and it’s good for
team chemistry,” Fuhrman noted. “There are a lot of benefits to it
off the court, too.
“We are always tweaking the schedule year to year. I wanted to
do something that distinguishes our program from the average
program. I don’t know how many teams can say they played in a
tourney at Disney World.”
Fuhrman said there are a lot of perks associated with playing in
the Classic.
“We have free access to Disney World, there’s a banquet for all
the teams and if the Orlando Magic schedule works out they take you
to a Magic game,” Fuhrman said. “Our players and coaches are
looking forward to it.
“Disney World is one of the biggest tourist attractions in the
world. This trip may give a couple kids a chance to visit a place
they may not ever have the chance to visit.”
Financially, it will be a huge undertaking to help defray the
costs of the trip.
“I’ll be meeting with the returning players and parents to get
the ball rolling as far as the fundraising goes,” Fuhrman
admitted.
“We had our golf tournament last weekend and that got us off to
a good start. All the funds raised will be through the booster club
and the players themselves.”
Fuhrman is confident area businesses will also support the
Owls.
“The Bradford business community and people of Bradford have
always been very generous and supportive of our program. I feel
they will support our efforts.”
Fuhrman says fans and parents are also expected to make the
trip.
The Owls will drop non-league foes Mercyhurst Prep, Corry and
Keystone this coming season as a trade-off for playing three games
in Florida.
Bradford will have a busy December as the Owls will play in
their own tip-off tournament and the IAABO Tournament at St.
Bonaventure University.
The Bradford Area School Board approved the Florida trip Monday
night at its meeting.
Fuhrman said Bradford’s Classic opponents will not be released
until September.
