DES MOINES, Iowa – The Drake University women's basketball team took to the court on Friday, July 1, for the first of 10 practices leading up to Drake's trip to Italy in mid-August.
 
The 10 summer practices allowed by the NCAA gives the Bulldogs opportunities to develop as a team before playing three games against foreign competition while in Italy. This will mark the first time in program history that Drake women's basketball has taken an international summer trip.
 
The trip will also include an educational aspect as starting July 11, the team will start a class Italy in a Global Economy that will be taught by Dr. Jeffrey A. Kappen, assistant professor of international business at Drake University. The class will meet for two hours a day, Monday to Thursday for four weeks leading up to the trip. The class will continue for the Bulldogs in Italy with the itinerary filled with ample chances to experience and learn from immersion in Italian culture while touring sites of historical and cultural significance.
 
Fifth-year head coach Jennie Baranczyk is excited for her team to partake in this once-in-a-lifetime trip while also getting the extra practices for her team that features three freshmen and Becca Jonas, who is back after missing the entire 2015-16 season due to injury.
 
The team is scheduled to depart the United States for Italy on Aug. 7 and return Aug. 17. Below is the schedule for the 11-day trip.
 
Sunday, Aug. 7
Travel – Des Moines to Minneapolis to Rome, Italy
 
Monday, Aug. 8
Arrive in Rome
Tour Rome
 
Tuesday, Aug. 9
Tour Vatican City
 
Wednesday, Aug. 10
Tour Rome
Travel - Rome to Florence, Italy
Game vs. Italian Select
 
Thursday, Aug. 11
Tour Florence
Game vs. TK Hannover (German team)
 
Friday, Aug. 12
Travel - Florence to San Marino
Tour San Marino
 
Saturday, Aug. 13
Tour San Marino
Game vs. Pesaro Select
 
Sunday, Aug. 14
Travel - San Marino to Venice, Italy
Tour Venice
Travel - Venice to Lake Como, Italy
 
Monday, Aug. 15
Tour Lake Como
 
Tuesday, Aug. 16
Tour Lake Como
 
Wednesday, Aug. 17
Travel - Lake Como to Milan, Italy to New York to Minneapolis to Des Moines