By: By Al Barba
KENNESAW, Ga. – Kennesaw State women's basketball head coach
Agnus Berenato has traveled to all corners of the world since the end of the 2016-17 season.
The Owls' second-year head coach has added several stamps to her passport this offseason as she has ventured to Paro, Bhutan, Brasov, Romania, Montepulciano, Italy and Matosinhos, Portugal.
Berenato is not yet done traveling as she has one more trip planned before school begins. On Friday, July 28, she will leave for a seven-day excursion to Suriname and Guyana as a Sports Envoy representing the United States organized by the NBA and U.S. Department of State's Sports Diplomacy division. Elvis Valcareel, who serves as an assistant coach/development coach for the New Orleans Pelicans will join her on the trip.
Each year American athletes and coaches travel overseas to lead Sports Envoy programs developed by U.S. Embassies and Consulates. These coaches and athletes hold sports clinics for young people and their coaches, participate in community outreach activities, and engage youth in a dialogue on the importance of leadership and respect for diversity. The Sports Diplomacy division manages the Sports Envoy programs, working in cooperation with the U.S. Olympic Committee, U.S. sports federations, and professional leagues.
"I am extremely excited and honored to have been asked to participate in this program," Berenato said. "The opportunity to participate in such a worthwhile cause, share our knowledge and help others in a meaningful way is truly special. Not only will we be sharing our knowledge of sports, but we will be educated about other cultures.
"This trip and experience will also be great for Kennesaw State University as it will put us on the map internationally and create greater exposure for KSU and its athletics programs," Berenato added.
Once arriving in the small South American country of Suriname on Friday, Berenato will travel to the U.S. Embassy before participating in a clinic later in the day. The group will spend four days in Suriname before leaving on Tuesday (Aug. 1) for Guyana's capital city of Georgetown.
After meetings at the U.S. Embassy on Wednesday (Aug. 2), the envoys will depart for the National Sports Commission before hosting a coaches' clinic to discuss best practices in coaching, including strategies for building stronger team chemistry, team management, nutrition and recent changes to FIBA. Berenato will also participate in a Women in Sports seminar.
The trip will conclude on Thursday (Aug. 3) with an athletes' clinic that will include discussions and demonstrations on proper techniques, physical fitness, diet, and training regimens. Participants will include students from outside the capital city and persons with disabilities. Sports journalists will be welcomed at the end of the clinic to observe and write about the event.
The South America trip marks the second goodwill mission of the year for Berenato, who in April, traveled to Bhutan where she spent two weeks assisting in the medical needs of underprivileged individuals in the underdeveloped country.
Two weeks later, Berenato visited Italy where she was able to explore KSU's sister school campus in Montepulciano, a self-contained campus that offers courses year round and is popular for the students who study abroad.
Two months later, Berenato spent four days in Romania visiting with incoming redshirt transfer
Simina Avram and her family in the city of Brasov.
Berenato returned to Europe in July to watch and support rising sophomore
Carlotta Gianolla as she competed for the U-20 Italian National Team in the European Championship in Matosinhos, Portugal.
To keep up with the latest Kennesaw State women's basketball news follow the team on Twitter @KSUOwlNation and @KSUOwlsWBB or by liking Kennesaw State University on Facebook. Follow Coach Berenato on Twitter @KSUCoachB.
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