GLASSBORO, NJ – Rowan University guard Sean Hughes is one of 10 players chosen to travel to Europe from August 4-12 for eight days of competition and sightseeing as part of a program run through the Global Sports Academy.
Hughes (sr. Pt. Pleasant, NJ/Pt. Pleasant Boro) will be joined on the squad by Eric Brennan, Kutztown University; Fran Brzyski, Susquehanna University; Damon Franklin, SUNY Cobleskill; Ricky Hudson, American International College; Anthony LoRusso, Ramapo College; Chris McDevitt, Widener University; Alex Raymond, Juniata College and Otis Smith, University of Southern Maine. The trip’s purpose is to give players from the East region the opportunity to represent the United States by playing against international club teams. It also provides the student-athletes with exposure to the European culture. The team will be instructed by Widener University head coach Chris Carideo and assistants Bill Leahy and Louis Becht Jr.
“I am really looking forward to the trip,” said Hughes. “It will be a great experience traveling and getting to play against international competition. It should be a lot of fun.”
Last season, Hughes led the Profs with 4.0 assists per game. He was third on the team in scoring with 9.6 points per game. Hughes also compiled 26 steals and averaged 3.6 rebounds per game. He posted a .420 field goal percentage and an .806 free throw percentage. In the New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC), Hughes ranked second in assists, fifth in free throw percentage, seventh in assist-to-turnover ratio (1.20), 22nd in scoring and 25th in field goal percentage.
“Sean is a returning starter and a senior,” commented Rowan head coach Joe Cassidy. “He can gain valuable experience playing a different style of basketball under another coaching staff. Being exposed to international competition and being on the court with new players should be very beneficial. Traveling to Europe is a great opportunity for Sean to expand his horizons.”
The players depart for Belgium on Wednesday, August 4. On Thursday, August 5, the team arrives in Mechelen where they will have a training session. They move to Bruges on Friday, August 6 where they will face Roeselaere in their first game. The squad leaves for Brussels on Saturday, August 7 to play Pitz. On Sunday, August 8, they travel to Düsseldorf, Germany for a contest against an opponent that is yet to be determined. The team’s fourth game is on Monday, August 9 in Cologne versus Herten. On Tuesday, August 10, they return to Mechelen for a game against Technico. The team will spend Wednesday, August 11 sightseeing in London, England before returning home on Thursday, August 12.
