Loper Men’s Hoops Prepares for Costa Rica Trip

KEARNEY – The Nebraska-Kearney men’s basketball team will report this Friday, August 4, in preparation for a trip to Costa Rica.
 
The Lopers will practice twice daily before leaving for Costa Rica on Wednesday, August 9. UNK will play exhibition games on Aug. 10 and Aug. 11 in San Jose with both contests tipping-off at night. The competition will be an all-star squad of college-aged players.
 
“This is an experience that will last a lifetime for our players. Many other teams in our conference and region have taken similar trips and it allows us not only to get in 10 practices and two games before the season starts but also gives us extra time to work on team building,” said UNK head coach Kevin Lofton.
 
This will be the program’s longest road trip since a November 2012 exhibition game against the Florida Gators. Due to the Health & Sports Center floor going through its annual reconditioning, the team will practice at Kearney High and in the HYPER Gym.

The eight-day trip, organized by Beyond Sports, includes a community service project, tours of San Jose, the Arenal Volcano, Tamarindo beach and activities like zip-lining through the rain forest. The NCAA allows teams to take this kind of trip once every four years.

UNK’s 14-player roster includes six returners and eight newcomers. Two of the newcomers will not make the trip due to singing with the Lopers late this summer.

The 2023-24 regular season begins on Saturday, Nov. 18, when Chadron State comes to Buckle Court.