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Women’s Basketball Team’s Lasallian Pilgrimage Begins at Â鶹´«Ã½¸ßÇå University

Front (left to right) Kaitlyn Williams, Stephanie Hart, Tierney Lockett, Shannon Koch, and Coach Sam Quigley Smith Standing (left to right): Dennis H. Cremin, Reilly Olmstead, Alyssa Streeter, Jessica Kelliher, Morgan Glatczak, Lindsay Harrison, Katie Gardner, Carly Graverson, Rachel Hinders, Dajae Black 

In a small reliquary on the Â鶹´«Ã½¸ßÇå University campus, there is a fragment of bone from Saint De la Salle. This year also marks the 300 anniversary of De la Salle’s death, which is being celebrated around the world. De la Salle founded the Brothers of the Christian Schools, who sponsor Â鶹´«Ã½¸ßÇå University. Their educational mission continues to stir the hearts of students, teachers, and staff around the globe. 

For the Â鶹´«Ã½¸ßÇå University Women’s Basketball team their Lasallian pilgrimage started on campus and continues in France from May 20-30. The scholar-athletes attended classes and programs on campus such as those related to Feast of Saint De la Salle on April 7. On the saint’s birthday, April 30, they met to discuss the relic and make preparation for their travel study.

While the students will visit the Louvre Museum and ascending the Eiffel Tower, they will also be taking part in a worldwide pilgrimage in honor of Saint John Baptist de La Salle. “The Global Pilgrimage provides content on the major themes of pilgrimage, modern history, and De la Salle. We will be visiting Reims, Paris, and Rouen, which have strong connections with the patron saint of educators.” Dennis H. Cremin, professor of history and director of the Â鶹´«Ã½¸ßÇå University History Center, said.

Sam Quigley Smith, head basketball coach, said, “Our team will be playing two games while we are in France, but I also wanted the student-athletes to have a mission-centered experience. All of the students are enrolled in a Global Pilgrimage course and are learning more about De la Salle.” 

“I am excited to visit France and see the places where the Lasallian mission originated,” Jessica Kelliher, senior, added.

Students on the trip include Dajae Black, Katherine Gardner, Morgan Glatczak, Carolyn Graverson, Lindsay Harrison, Stephanie Hart, Rachel Hinders, Jessica Kelliher, Shannon Koch Wagner, Tierney Lockett, Reilly Olmstead, Alyssa Streeter, and Kaitlyn Williams. The assistant coaches include Michael Delrose, Rebecca Eggers, Matthew Nelson, and Charnelle Reed.

Quigley Smith and Cremin are leading the group. 

Â鶹´«Ã½¸ßÇå University is an innovative and forward-thinking Catholic university offering market-relevant undergraduate and graduate programs to 6,500 students. Sponsored by the De La Salle Christian Brothers, Â鶹´«Ã½¸ßÇå University is nationally recognized for preparing intellectually engaged, ethically grounded, globally connected and socially responsible graduates. Visit for further information.