JCU Athletics Holds Gladiators Varsity Retreat in Umbria
The JCU Athletics Department organized a varsity retreat in Cascia, Umbria on September 29 and 30, 2023. This was the first training camp planned for selected athletes from all JCU varsity sports. The JCU Athletics Department trained at the Centro Sportivo Magrelli in Cascia, which is surrounded by mountains and provides professional sports facilities. Even Serie A Italian soccer league teams choose this facility for their seasonal retreats.
Among the 65 athletes who participated, there were representatives from all JCU teams including Men’s Soccer, Men’s and Women’s 5vs5 Soccer, COED Volleyball, COED Tennis, Cheerleading, and Men’s Basketball. The retreat consisted of several training sessions with professional coaches, where the student-athletes trained in challenging low-oxygen conditions, due to Cascia’s altitude.
“The location was beautiful, and we had the opportunity to train with an experienced coach to improve our skills both as individuals and as a team,” said cheerleading team captain Carolina Miller.
The retreat was designed as the final event of the first Gladiator Week, which was held from September 26 to 30. Its aim was to encourage new team members to embrace the Gladiator spirit. During Gladiator Week, professional sports physical therapists hold seminars on sports injury prevention, thanks to the collaboration of the Athletics Department with the Office of Health & Wellbeing. Thursday evening was dedicated to Gladiator’s Night, where the JCU Athletics officially presents the teams’ new rosters. This year, Gladiator Week culminated with the field trip to Cascia.
“This retreat was all about bonding and getting to know each other better,” said Lloyd Danquah, newly elected captain of the men’s soccer team. “We sang together, laughed, and made unforgettable memories on our journey back to Rome.”
The JCU Athletics Department organized both Gladiator Week and the varsity retreat to welcome student-athletes and facilitate team building. The experience was a success, and the participating athletes look forward to repeating it next year and possibly extending their stay by a few days.
