Wildcats to Journey Across Greece, Rwanda on Summer International Tour
7/24/2026 11:48:00 AM | Women's Basketball
ABILENE - Abilene Christian women's basketball will embark on a once-in-a-lifetime adventure next month as it travels throughout Greece and Rwanda on an international tour. From Aug. 4-16, the Wildcats will head overseas for competition with Greek programs, volunteer and service work at Rwanda Children, a faith-based nonprofit founded by ACU alum Serge Gasore ('09), and cultural immersion experiences.
The Wildcats' international tour allows for on-court development, team bonding and expansion of student-athletes' cultural horizons entering the 2026-27 campaign. The program also gains the opportunity to participate in additional summer practices and exhibition matches.
Fans can support women's basketball's international journey through its excellence fund here. Updates and photos throughout the Wildcats' trip will be posted to ACUSports.com and social media at @ACUWBB and @ACUSports.
It marks ACU's third international tour under head coach Julie Goodenough after visiting Canada in 2016 and Portugal in 2022. In the 2016-17 campaign, the Wildcats captured their second of back-to-back Southland Conference titles and picked up a win over Oklahoma State in the WNIT.
In April, the NCAA approved a rule change, effective immediately, that allowed programs in all sports to take an international trip annually, rather than once every four years as previously permitted.
ACU arrives in Athens on Aug. 4, where it will stay for four days. That week, student-athletes and coaches will explore the city and experience sightseeing and other team bonding opportunities, including a bike tour, cooking class and a visit to the Acropolis.
The Wildcats will play a pair of games in the capital city, taking on Athens Select on Aug. 6 and Melissia Select 2 on Aug. 7. The team heads to Nafplio on Aug. 8, where it will stay for two days. There, ACU will enjoy time at Corinth Canal, the Palamidi Fortress and Tolo Beach.
The team will head to Kigali, Rwanda on Aug. 10, where it will stay through the 12th on the campus of Rwanda Children. Established in 2013, Rwanda Children serves the physical and spiritual needs of children and their families. It has grown to serve over 1,500 people per day and features a Christian school, a health center and six furnished houses while offering medical insurance to over 3,000 Rwandan children.
Rwanda Children Christian School has over 900 students enrolled in pre-kindergarten and grades 1-12. Gasore is a survivor of the 1994 Rwandan genocide and came to ACU to run track and cross country in 2005. He was named ACU's Young Alumnus of the Year in 2018 and addressed the United Nations General Assembly on April 7 on International Day of Reflection on the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda.
The Wildcats will host basketball clinics and "conversation corners" with students and staff at Rwanda Children to foster connection and fellowship. ACU will explore Rwandan history and heritage with visits to the Ntarama Genocide Memorial, the Rwanda Children coffee plantation and a Rwandan culture show.
The team travels to Akagera National Park on Aug. 13, where it will stay through the 15th. Student-athletes and coaches will experience a safari at the national park, featuring populations of lion, leopard, elephant, rhino and buffalo, as well as zebra, giraffe, antelope and hundreds of bird species. On their final day in Rwanda, the Wildcats will take a tour of Kigali and meet the Rwandan minister of sport. ACU arrives back in Texas on Aug. 16, in time for the start of the fall semester.
ACU is coming off its second consecutive WNIT Super 16 appearance, marking its deepest postseason run in the Division I era. The Wildcats went 24-11 for their most wins since 2019-20 and most home victories this century. ACU advanced to the Western Athletic Conference title game with a 13-5 mark in conference play. The Wildcats will make their debut in the United Athletic Conference in 2026-27.
The Wildcats' international tour allows for on-court development, team bonding and expansion of student-athletes' cultural horizons entering the 2026-27 campaign. The program also gains the opportunity to participate in additional summer practices and exhibition matches.
Fans can support women's basketball's international journey through its excellence fund here. Updates and photos throughout the Wildcats' trip will be posted to ACUSports.com and social media at @ACUWBB and @ACUSports.
It marks ACU's third international tour under head coach Julie Goodenough after visiting Canada in 2016 and Portugal in 2022. In the 2016-17 campaign, the Wildcats captured their second of back-to-back Southland Conference titles and picked up a win over Oklahoma State in the WNIT.
In April, the NCAA approved a rule change, effective immediately, that allowed programs in all sports to take an international trip annually, rather than once every four years as previously permitted.
ACU arrives in Athens on Aug. 4, where it will stay for four days. That week, student-athletes and coaches will explore the city and experience sightseeing and other team bonding opportunities, including a bike tour, cooking class and a visit to the Acropolis.
The Wildcats will play a pair of games in the capital city, taking on Athens Select on Aug. 6 and Melissia Select 2 on Aug. 7. The team heads to Nafplio on Aug. 8, where it will stay for two days. There, ACU will enjoy time at Corinth Canal, the Palamidi Fortress and Tolo Beach.
The team will head to Kigali, Rwanda on Aug. 10, where it will stay through the 12th on the campus of Rwanda Children. Established in 2013, Rwanda Children serves the physical and spiritual needs of children and their families. It has grown to serve over 1,500 people per day and features a Christian school, a health center and six furnished houses while offering medical insurance to over 3,000 Rwandan children.
Rwanda Children Christian School has over 900 students enrolled in pre-kindergarten and grades 1-12. Gasore is a survivor of the 1994 Rwandan genocide and came to ACU to run track and cross country in 2005. He was named ACU's Young Alumnus of the Year in 2018 and addressed the United Nations General Assembly on April 7 on International Day of Reflection on the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda.
The Wildcats will host basketball clinics and "conversation corners" with students and staff at Rwanda Children to foster connection and fellowship. ACU will explore Rwandan history and heritage with visits to the Ntarama Genocide Memorial, the Rwanda Children coffee plantation and a Rwandan culture show.
The team travels to Akagera National Park on Aug. 13, where it will stay through the 15th. Student-athletes and coaches will experience a safari at the national park, featuring populations of lion, leopard, elephant, rhino and buffalo, as well as zebra, giraffe, antelope and hundreds of bird species. On their final day in Rwanda, the Wildcats will take a tour of Kigali and meet the Rwandan minister of sport. ACU arrives back in Texas on Aug. 16, in time for the start of the fall semester.
ACU is coming off its second consecutive WNIT Super 16 appearance, marking its deepest postseason run in the Division I era. The Wildcats went 24-11 for their most wins since 2019-20 and most home victories this century. ACU advanced to the Western Athletic Conference title game with a 13-5 mark in conference play. The Wildcats will make their debut in the United Athletic Conference in 2026-27.
Wednesday, July 22
Wednesday, July 22
Tuesday, July 14
Tuesday, June 30
