Ephs meet new head coach Mike Maker in Boston; arrive in Italy

After a cross-Atlantic flight from Boston to Paris and a connection to Milan, the Williams College men's basketball team embarked on its much-awaited, 10-day journey to Italy featuring team bonding, cultural exploration and player development. 

At 2:30 Friday afternoon, the Ephs rendezvoused at Boston's Logan Airport to meet their new head coach Mike Maker and assistant coach Kevin App, many for the first time. After individual introductions to his players and the family members travelling with the team, Maker assembled his team for their first meeting in the Air France terminal lobby to discuss priorities of the trip.

"While I was driving to the airport with my aunt Carol, my stomach was doing cartwheels because I was so excited to meet the players for the first time, "exclaimed coach Maker. "I came away thoroughly impressed with the character, personality and commitment of our basketball team. We are looking forward to what I'm sure will be a memorable and life changing experience for everyone involved."  

Maker's congenial attitude quickly put to rest any worries of a potentially awkward situation. "Meeting my new head coach at the airport was a surreal experience," noted senior co-captain Kevin Snyder, "but coach Maker's personable and enthusiastic nature made the beginning of the trip that much easier."

The Ephs arrived in Milan Saturday morning and took a charter bus from the airport to the city of Como that lies on the banks of the picturesque Lake Como. The players were given the beginning of the afternoon to peruse the city and indulge in the scrumptious Italian cuisine, a mere 12 hours after an interesting rendition of Ravioli courtesy of Air France. In Como though, many players chose authentic Italian staples - pizza and pasta - that did notdisappoint. 

The food was not the only aspect of Como that caught the player's attention. Senior Grant Meyer gushed, "Italy is a beautiful country. Already in the first day we've seen one of the most lavish lakeside cities in the world." The Ephs were privy to a private tour of historic Como. The coalition of players, coaches and family members saw such hotspots as Piazza Davour, Piazza San Fedele, both cultural centers brimming with excitement from street performers, as well as Porta Torre - a wall and tower dating back 2000 years to the Romans.
But, the highlight of the tour was the grand Cathedrals, Santa Abbondio and San Fedele, which have been centers of religious fervor for 600 and 800 years, respectively. Eph Junior Ethan Timmins-Schiffman remarked, "the majesty of the cathedrals was breathtaking."

After dinner at their hotel, the Ephs turned in for the evening after a long day of travel and sightseeing, readying themselves  for another day of exploring Lake Como and their first game Sunday evening against Castellanza Select Team.