The team has taken many special trips to various countries over the summer during the past 20 years. The Mules’ last excursion was to Italy and Switzerland in 2006. The squad also visited Ireland (2003) and Spain (2000). The trips are funded in part by proceeds from the annual Scotty Wood Tournament, which kicks off the season in November. Previous destinations included Germany, France, Belgium, Holland and the British Isles.

Italy/Switzerland 2006 The Muhlenberg men’s basketball team was in ruins over the summer of 2006. The Mules visited Roman ruins as part of their trip to Italy and Switzerland.

Ireland 2003 The Muhlenberg men’s basketball team spent eight sun-splashed and fun-filled days in the southern part of Ireland in August 2003. While in Ireland the team members had a balanced itinerary that included five games, exciting tours and sightseeing and time to relax and explore on their own. The tours were led by John, an Irish tour guide, and included: the Muckross House, a sunny day on the “Ring of Kerry”, the Blarney Castle (everyone kissed the Blarney Stone), the Waterford Crystal Factory, the city of Dublin and the Rock of Cashel. The team won three out of five closely contested games with Irish club teams. Following the games some of the best fellowship of the trip took place when the host Irish teams put on receptions for the Mules. Players from both teams had a chance to interact with each other in a friendly Irish atmosphere. The team looks for four-leaf clovers in a field at Killarney.

Donte Borden hangs out with some new friends in a postgame reception at Waterford.

The Mule team poses in Madrid in front of a monument and statues depicting Don Quixote.

Spain 2000 The men’s basketball team spent 10 days touring the country of Spain in August 2000. The Mules flew into Madrid and 10 days later departed from Barcelona. In between they had a whirlwind excursion and had stops in Cordoba, Seville, Ronda, Marbella, Granada and Aguilas. There were many highlights on the trip, including tours of the 18th century Royal Palace in Madrid and the palace of Alhambra in Granada. The Mules also had time to swim in the Mediterranean, attend a bullfight and tour the 1992 Olympic Village. In addition, the Mules split two contests with Spanish competition. The Muhlenberg men beat the Marbella Basketball Club while dropping a close decision to the Aguilas Basketball Club. Both clubs hosted the Muhlenberg travel party to Spanish-styles meals after the games. At these meals the members of the teams interacted and traded international goodwill with each other.