Unity Through Sport (USport) is a program of The Indiana Center for Cultural Exchange (ICCE, http://www.purdue.edu/dp/icce/). ICCE was created by academic and administrative leaders at Indiana University, Purdue University and the University of Notre Dame to make the many resources of their great institutions available for building mutual understanding, appreciation and cooperation between the United States and the Muslim world. The mission of the ICCE is to utilize its vast resources in ambitious initiatives of public diplomacy, sports diplomacy, cultural exchange, in-country projects, and international cooperation. The ICCE also included the Indiana-based Islamic Society of North America (ISNA), and eventually expanded to include Georgetown University, the University of Chicago, and the University of Minnesota.

I first became involved with ICCE while on faculty at the University of Notre Dame where I was the Program Director for the Center for Ethical Education. While there I helped deliver two successful projects funded by grants from The State Department: USPORT-Kyrgyzstan and USPORT-Lebanon. When I left Notre Dame and came to Minnesota, the ICCE partners invited me to stay involved given my unique role in past USport projects and my new role in the Tucker Center. ICCE felt I could bring unique perspectives, expertise and skills to the team, particularly pertaining to issues of girls and women in sports.

While in Algeria we conducted 11 clinics in two cities (Algiers & Ouargla) and trained ~ 200 youth basketball coaches and 180 children. Assuming that each coach instructs at least 20 players, this would mean that the total number of youth potentially impacted by in USPORT in Algeria will be around 3,550!

We worked to conduct the clinics with the assistance and coordination of our Algerian partners— the Algerian Ministry of Youth Sport (MYS) and the Federation of Algerian Basketball (FABB). The clinics consisted of teaching basketball fundamentals as well as leadership, diversity, and sportsmanship. My role in USport-Algeria was to deliver "Time-Out for Unity" sessions particular to teaching sportsmanship and sport psychology.

Algerian hospitality was second to none and we enjoyed many wonderful meals consisting of lamb, fish, couscous, pastries, mint tea, dates and many other Algerian delicacies. While we where primarily delivering clinics, we did get the opportunity to visit the Sahara Desert at sunset, and the Roman ruins at Tipasa-an international archeological preservation site.

The highlight of the trip for me was the “all girls” clinic we conducted for 40 middle school girls In Algiers. Their energy, enthusiasm, and smiles were contagious and despite the language barrier, it was obvious to me that Algerian girls shared many similarities to their American counterparts. They loved basketball for the friendships, nature of the game, learn new skills, competition and opportunity for physical activity. I also enjoyed talking to and learning from the handful of women coaches that attended our clinics.  I look forward to seeing some of them again during the second phase of our USport project. In Phase II 30 of the coaches who attended our clinics are chosen to travel of Indianapolis for two weeks during the fall of 2007 for more extensive coaching education.  At that time we will have the opportunity to extend and return the hospitality we experienced!

Dr. LaVoi in the Sahara Desert.

Ouargla basketball players and coaches with Dr.LaVoi.

Algiers players beginning a teambuilding activity with Dr. LaVoi. 

Dr. LaVoi conducting "the web" teambuilding activity with Ouargla coaches.

Algiers women basketball coaches.

Algiers coaches beginning the USport program.

Algerian Olympic symbol.

USport for Sport and Friendship sign welcoming coaches and players.