Stewart To Return To Middle East With USO

Aggie head coach leaves on Sunday for Persian Gulf as part of

Gary Stewart is traveling to the Middle East as part of a USO Tour for the second time in the past year.
 
Gary Stewart is traveling to the Middle East as part of a USO Tour for the second time in the past year.
  

June 5, 2009

DAVIS, Calif. - UC Davis head men's basketball coach Gary Stewart will return to the Middle East for the second time in the past year when he travels Sunday on his way to the Persian Gulf as part of the United Service Organization's (USO) "Operation Hoop Talk."

It's the second time Stewart has traveled to the region after spending time last summer in Kuwait and Iraq as part of another tour sponsored by the USO.

Officially titled "Operation Hoop Talk: Talking Hoops with the Troops", the tour will bring together eight current and former head college basketball coaches who will conduct clinics and interact with troops.

Joining Stewart will be CBS college basketball analyst and former Virginia head coach Pete Gillen, current coaches Jeff Jones (American University), Barry Rohrssen (Manhattan) and Jerry Wainwright (DePaul), and former coaches Reggie Minton (Air Force), Dave Odom (South Carolina) and Dennis Wolf (Boston University).

Stewart said his previous trip to the Middle East was a rewarding experience and he looks forward to once again being able to share basketball knowledge while also interacting with servicemen and servicewomen.

"This is another great opportunity to say 'thank you' and show my appreciation to the men and women who courageously sacrifice so much to protect our country," Stewart said. "I'm delighted and humbled to be selected again and I look forward to another enriching experience."

Minton, who is also the Deputy Executive Director of the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC), said the USO's tour provides a valuable experience for the troops.

"Being able to bring a touch of home to the men and women who serve our nation, so far from their own homes, is an amazing opportunity," he said. "This unique USO tour gives us a way to connect with our military fans. It's a great thing and I'm honored to be participating in my third USO tour."

 

 

The organization also sponsors similar tours involving golf (Operation Links) and football (Operation Gridiron).

Stewart will join the other coaches on the tour by visiting injured troops before traveling overseas.

"One of the many remarkable experiences we'll encounter is meeting with wounded soldiers at Walter Reed Army Medical Center and Bethesda Naval Hospital," he said. "You can't help but be affected by what they and their families are going through."

Stewart recently completed his sixth season as head coach of the Aggies, leading them to the Big West Conference Tournament quarterfinals. He is also a member of the NABC Board of Directors.