The baseball team will be heading to the Dominican Republic and the softball team will be in Japan during the holiday break as part of Elon's commitment to ensuring student-athletes can participate in a global experience as part of their Elon education.
The Elon University baseball and softball teams will participate in study abroad programs during the Thanksgiving break as part of the university’s commitment to ensuring student-athletes have the opportunity for a global experience as part of their Elon education.
The baseball team will travel to the Dominican Republic and the softball team will be in Japan, with both teams spending Nov. 23-30 in the countries. Both teams will be learning about the cultures of the countries they visit while also practicing and competing against international teams.
The baseball team’s class, “Global Explorations: Baseball in the Dominican Republic,” is led by Assistant Professor of Sport Management Mark Cryan and Dean of Student Development Jodean Schmiederer. The course has challenged students to critically evaluate their own culture and biases and analyze the interconnectedness of global systems at a basic level. During the experience during the Thanksgiving break, the student-athletes will examine fundamental intercultural principles, research specific historical and cultural sites, and explore the Dominican Republic’s diverse geography, history, society, and culture. Students will also interact with locals in focused intercultural activities.
“We are really excited about our global experience in the Dominican Republic and are very fortunate to be at a university that provides opportunities as such,” said Elon head coach Mike Kennedy. “The Dominican Republic and its rich baseball history will provide our student-athletes with a global educational experience that is second-to-none.”
The team’s itinerary will include volunteering at a youth clinic, attending multiple Dominican Winter League baseball games, visits to the Kansas City Royals Academy and the Colonial Zone and Museums, and assisting the community by painting houses at Buscone Academies. Elon will also play two games against local competition with the first against the Escogido Lions, a professional team in Santo Domingo that has won 17 national championships and four Caribbean Series.
Coverage of the experience will be featured on elonphoenix.com as well as on the team’s social media accounts. Follow the Phoenix on Twitter and Instagram at @ElonBaseball for more updates on Elon’s global experience in the Dominican Republic.
The softball team is participating in a class called “Cellphones and Samurai: The Cultural Clash of Japan’s Traditional Culture and Modern Digital Communications Society.” The course is designed and taught by Daniel Haygood, an associate professor from the Elon School of Communications.
“We are very grateful for Elon University and our administration to give our student-athletes this opportunity every four years,” said Elon head softball coach Kathy Bocock. “We’re excited to travel back to Japan. We had a great time on our previous global experience so I am looking forward to going back to experience it with our current group of student-athletes and staff.”
The itinerary for the once-in-a-lifetime experience will include the touring the city of Kyoto and its rich history, a visit to the Sensoji Temple and taking part in the Japanese drumming session Taiko as the team immerses itself in the region’s cultural environment. The players will also visit the Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden and participate in a tea ceremony during a tour at Nihombasni.
The program will also train with teams from local universities. Elon is scheduled for a training session with the Nippon Sport Science University softball team and will play against the Tokyo Women’s College of Physical Education in an exhibition.
Updates of the team’s studies abroad will be featured on elonphoenix.com as well as on the program’s social media accounts. Follow the Phoenix on Twitter and Instagram at @Elonsoftball for more updates on the team’s global experience in Japan.