The UW-Platteville men's and women's basketball team have taken some long road trips together, but nothing will compare to the trip on which they soon will be embarking.

The Pioneer teams travel to Europe May 16-26, with both squads playing games against club teams in Salzburg, Austria May 18 and in Prague, Czech Republic May 22. There is a possibility of the Pioneer men facing the Czech Under-21 National Team as well.

In addition, the trip will feature many tours and educational opportunities in Austria, the Czech Republic and Germany. Among the notable sites are the Sound of Music locations, St. Peter's Abbey and the Salzburg Cathedral in Austria, the Mauthausen Concentration Camp Memorial in Prague, and the Brandenberg gate, Olympic Stadium, Checkpoint Charlie and the Berlin Wall Museum in Berlin.

To prepare for the trip, the Pioneers took a semester-long class and will write the final paper upon returning.

"Our trip to Europe will be a great experience for our student-athletes and the entire program," men's coach Paul Combs said. "To have this opportunity to learn more about different cultures as well as play against very talented International competition will be lasting memories for all of us."

Nine Pioneers from Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference championship team will make the trip: senior Brad Reitzner, juniors Clay Dean, and Josh Wesley, sophomores Mark Gossens, Sean Krause, and Kendall Syse, and freshmen Terry Donovan, Chase Kieler and Jeff Skemp. The Pioneers were 19-7 overall, including 13-3 in the WIAC to claim their 19th conference title. UWP was ranked 21st in the final D3hoops.com poll.

"This has been an outstanding year for Pioneer Basketball when you combine the upcoming trip to Europe with the Wisconsin Badger exhibition game back in November," Combs said, "as well as our 2005 WIAC Conference Championship and Top 25 national ranking."

All 13 women on the 2004-05 roster are making the trip, and with only senior Shannon Boatman not returning for next year, Coach Tina Kuhle said the extra practices and games are beneficial. The Pioneers open the 2005-06 campaign with an exhibition game with the Wisconsin Badgers Nov. 13 in Madison.

"It is a great opportunity to for us to work with our student-athletes before they head home for the summer," Kuhle said. "We were able to implement some new ideas into our practices, and it's a great recruiting tool."

The trip was co-coordinated by men's assistant coach Jeff Gard and Kim Schmelz of the Alumni Office, with input from Mick Viney, the Assistant Chancellor for Student Affairs. Their hard work has made a trip that should provide the Pioneers and the traveling party a lifetime of memories.

"I am looking forward to the experience of traveling abroad as I know the student-athletes are," Kuhle said. "The sights and places we are planning to visit obviously have such a history. It will be very educational for all of us