June 30, 2008

Columbia, Mo. – In just a few short days Athletic Director and head men’s basketball coach Bob Burchard will join seven other college coaches from around the country in Washington D.C. for the USA Basketball Men’s U18 National Team Trials. Burchard was appointed as the NAIA representative for USA Basketball’s Collegiate Committee back in 2005 and is in the third year of his four-year term.

 

25 of the nation’s top-18-and-younger prep sensations will show their talents July 1-3, competing for one of 12 roster spots on the 2008 U18 National Team. Responsible for making recommendations to the board concerning this year’s U18 Team is the Collegiate Committee.  Burchard will be joined on the committee by; Jim Boeheim (NCAA), Fran Dunphy (Temple), Tom Izzo (Michigan State), Ernie Kent (Oregon), Tubby Smith (Minnesota), Bill Self (Kansas), Scott Schumacher (Kilgore), Steve Wojciechowski and A.J. Wynder. 

 

"This year's U-18 National Team Trials should be extremely competitive,” stated Burchard.  “USA Basketball has gathered the top young players in the country for the trials and I anticipate the selection process to be challenging.  Serving USA Basketball is an honor, particularly in an Olympic year, and we will do our best to choose a great young National Team to travel to Argentina for the 2008 FIBA America's Championship."