Lutz, Again, To Participate in Operation Hardwood
May 3, 2006
Arlington, Va. - The USO and Armed Forces Entertainment (AFE) are again sending top NCAA basketball coaches and sports personalities, including Charlotte 49ers head coach Bobby Lutz, on a tour to the Persian Gulf region May 23-29, 2006. During the tour, called "Operation Hardwood II," the participants will coach military basketball teams featuring the best military players who will compete in a championship tournament.
Fox Sports broadcaster Leeann Tweeden also is accompanying "Operation Hardwood" on her 8th USO/AFE tour. Support for Operation Hardwood II is being provided by NIKE.
The tour participants include:
• Rick Barnes, University of Texas
• Jay Bilas, ESPN commentator and former Duke University player
• Jim Crews, U.S. Military Academy, West Point, N.Y.
• Mark Gottfried, University of Alabama
• Tom Izzo, Michigan State University
• Billy Lange, U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis, Md.
• Bobby Lutz, University of North Carolina, Charlotte
• Reggie Minton, NCAA
• Dave Odom, University of South Carolina
• Kelvin Sampson, University of Indiana
• Tubby Smith, University of Kentucky
• Gary Williams, University of Maryland
Lutz, who mentionned that last year's tour was a "life-changing" experience, is one of six participants - Gottfried, Odom, Lutz, Izzo, Sampson and Bilas - that are veterans of Operation Hardwood I and were inspired to become involved again on this year's tour. This tour continues the USO tradition of bringing professional athletes and sports-related events to troops serving far from home. Last year, NBA Legends Artis Gilmore and Darryl Dawkins visited military personnel serving in Hurricane Katrina relief efforts.
Gilmore, Gail Goodrich, Spencer Haywood and Dan Roundfield also brought the Larry O'Brien Trophy to Troops in Kuwait last May. NBA Legends and players soon will begin a stateside USO tour, visiting military bases and holding festivals for service members and their families. Tours are sponsored by AT&T, Inc., the official telecommunications sponsor of USO entertainment tours.
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