Bishop Men's Soccer Team to Visit Germany

August 2, 2010

DELAWARE, OHIO — The Ohio Wesleyan University men's soccer team will expand its horizons, both figuratively and literally, when head coach Jay Martin and the Battling Bishop players embark on a trip to Germany this week.

This is the 11th trip to Germany the Bishops have taken in Martin's 34 years at the Ohio Wesleyan helm.

"This is an experience that every player gets once during their time here," said Martin. "I'm adamant that we introduce these guys to as much about Europe, and specifically Germany, as possible. I want them to be exposed to a sport culture that's predominantly soccer. Even some of these guys don't appreciate soccer and what it means globally, but when they go to an arena and see 66,000 people going crazy, it really gets that across."

The trips aren't entirely about soccer. Highlights of this trip will include historical tours of Munich, Cologne, and Trier, and visits to the Neuschwanstein castle and the Andechs monestary, as well as the Dachau prison camp, which has been a constant on each of Martin's trips. "Honestly, our German friends don't like us going there," said Martin, "but it's important for our guys to understand."

On the field, not only will the Bishops watch German professional teams train and compete, but the Ohio Wesleyan team will play six games, including contests against FC Schalke, FC Saarbrucken, and VfR Baumholder.