During the trip, Westmont will enjoy a cross-cultural experience by competing against European teams, and then meet with the opponents following each match. The Warriors will also study the sociological differences between American and European society through guest presenters and alumni Johan Frisell (1997) and Kay Habermaier (1995). Head Coach Dave Wolf will also present two lectures aimed at challenging the team to consider psychological differences between the American and European athlete and consider what these two cultures might learn from each other.

The Warriors will report to the Westmont campus on August 1 and depart for Stockholm, Sweden on August 4. During their week in Sweden, the Warriors will conduct two-a-day training sessions in Stockholm and are scheduled to attend a Division II professional soccer match in which they will see Westmont alumni Mark Oehlman (2003) and Nate Kolono (2001) play. They also expect to see alumna Kristi Peich (2005) take the field in a professional women’s game. Frisell will serve as the team contact while in Sweden.

On August 12, Westmont will depart Stockholm and travel to Stuttgart, Germany, where they will be housed at a sports academy. Habermaier will be the team’s contact on this leg of the journey. Continuing with two-a-day training sessions, the Warriors will also take in a Bundesliga (Germany’s top division) match and play two exhibition matches, the details of which are not yet finalized.

“There is something about getting away together that can forge some of the important chemistry on a team,” noted Wolf. “On a trip like this you can get on each other’s nerves, but it can also be a bonding experience.”

The Warriors have raised the majority of the funds for the trip but are still seeking to raise an additional $15,000. Donations can be sent to Westmont Athletics, 955 La Paz Road, and marked for the Men’s Soccer European Tour.

The Warriors will hit the ground running after their return on August 21, starting with a match at UC Santa Barbara on August 27 and the Heritage Club Classic on September 2-3.