MA News: 49ers To Represent USA Women’s Basketball at 2007 Summer Universiade in Bangkok
May 7th, 2007
The Charlotte 49ers women's basketball program, fresh off their school-record fifth straight postseason tournament appearance, have been given a special opportunity to represent the United States in the World University Games women's basketball competition in Bangkok, Thailand, August 7-18. "It is an honour for our coaches and players to have the opportunity to represent UNC Charlotte, the Atlantic 10 conference, and more importantly, the United States," said Charlotte coach Karen Aston, who was recently hired as the seventh head coach in the 49ers women's basketball program's history. "Our players are so excited about the opportunity and welcome the challenge." The Charlotte 49ers will be the first collegiate women's basketball program that will represent the United States in the World University Games. Previous teams representing the United States have been USA Basketball (the national governing body) teams comprised of collegiate players or conference all-star teams. This year, USA Basketball is not selecting a team, and has worked with Basketball Travellers Inc. to find a team to compete in this summer's World University Games. The 49ers were selected based on their success over the past five seasons. USA women's basketball teams have enjoyed tremendous success in the World University Games. The U.S. has captured six golds, six silvers and one bronze medal, and is the defending champion having won the gold medal in 2005 in Izmir, Turkey. USA Basketball teams have medalled in 13 of the 14 World University Games for which it has fielded teams. The 49ers will arrive in Bangkok on August 5th. Preliminary pool play for the WUGs begin on August 7th. On August 8th, the 49ers will march behind the USA flag with the other United States athletes in the opening ceremonies in front of an anticipated 60,000 spectators.
