UT professor says trip a winner

Tennessee guard Chris Lofton visits a patient at Slovakian Children's Hospital on Wednesday in Bratislava, Slovakia.

UT basketball coach Bruce Pearl, left, and his son and UT player, Steven, pose with a patient at Slovakian Children's Hospital on Wednesday in Bratislava, Slovakia.

BRATISLAVA, Slovakia — The University of Tennessee men’s basketballl players aren’t the only ones seeing their preparation pay off on this European expedition.

UT history professor Dr. David Tompkins said he spent weeks preparing to teach a one-credit course to the basketball team in the 10 days they are spending in Europe.

“Throughout the summer, I’ve been preparing for the lectures, the scavenger hunt and the readings I’ve assigned,’’ Tompkins said. “Todd Diacon, the vice provost for academic affairs, along with academic adviser Lauren Mackey, have helped me get a syllabus that’s challenging, but also geared toward the schedule and time we have with the basketball players.’’

Each player must write a daily journal, and each of the players must also give a verbal presentation at a pre-prescribed historical site.

“I’ve been very pleased,’’ said Tompkins, who has been at UT for two years after receiving his doctorate degree from Columbia University and his bachelor’s degree from Rice. “The first half of each day has been filled with our sightseeing and my lectures, and the second half is basketball. It’s been a good division.’’

Vols senior JaJuan Smith said the class has made for a good trip.

“Our professor has been great at breaking things down at the different sites we’ve visited,’’ Smith said. “He brings out the key points and makes us appreciate things.

“We knew coming over here we’d need to pay attention, because there’s been a lot to learn.’’

Tompkins said he’d never worked with a group of athletes in this way. He’s been pleased with the basketball team.

“Wayne (Chism) and Tanner (Wild) gave a very good presentation,’’ Tompkins said. “I was very pleased with the scavenger hunt, in particular.’’

Smith and Ryan Childress teamed together to “win’’ that competition, traveling all over Prague, Czech Republic, to find the answers to the 10 questions on the assignment.

“That scavenger hunt was exciting and fun,’’ Smith said. “We ran into all our teammates, and we sent some of them the wrong way when they tried to get answers for us.

“That’s something we’re going to remember.’’

Tompkins, who studied in France both his junior and senior year of college, said the players will have a different approach if and when they visit Europe again.

“The experiences I had changed my life, and I’m hoping this will open a window for the players,’’ Tompkins, 36, said. “I understand some of them may play in Europe. They can be reassured now that they could make that transition successfully.’’

Leaving Memories: The Vols spent about 30 minutes at the Detska Fakultna Nemocnica S. Poliklinikou hospital visiting sick young patients Wednesday afternoon.

“It was important for our team to do some community service, even overseas,’’ UT assistant coach Jason Shay said. “We like giving to kids, especially the less fortunate ones.

“They gave back to us with their smiles.’’

The Vols passed our shirts and sweatbands to the patients.

“That visit touched us and reminded us that we are blessed,’’ UT sophomore Ramar Smith said. “When you’re in our position, you’ve got to give back. Not everyone gets treated as good as we do, so it’s important to give back to society.’’

© 2007, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
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