Story Links

ARLINGTON, Va.Virginia head men’s basketball coach Dave Leitao is one of six current and former basketball coaches scheduled to participate soon in “Operation Hoop Talk: Talking with the Troops,” a tour to the Persian Gulf region sponsored by the USO (United Service Organizations).

During the tour, participants will share tips, host basketball clinics and tour military posts. The tour continues the USO’s commitment to bringing sports figures and sports-related events to troops stationed overseas. The initiative was created to help boost troop morale and bring a touch of home to those in uniform.

“While I am very excited about this trip, I am even more humbled by the opportunity to spend time with the men and women who are protecting our freedom,” Leitao said. “It will be an honor and a privilege to talk with and thank those who put themselves in harms way each day so that we can live free here and abroad. I look forward to this trip as much as anything I have ever done.”

Joining Leitao on the tour are men’s head coaches Jeff Bzdelik (Colorado), Ed Conroy (The Citadel), Jim Crews (United States Military Academy) and Gary Stewart (UC Davis). Jeff Nix, a former scouting director and assistant general manager with the New York Knicks who is also a former college assistant coach, is also participating in the tour. Nix is the founder and president of Camouflage Kids, a non-profit organization that provides a college athletic game-day experience focusing on the children of deployed military personnel.

Leitao, Virginia’s head coach the last three years, participated in “Operation Hardwood III,” a tour to Japan sponsored by the USO and Armed Forces Entertainment in August of 2006.

Print Friendly Version