Maroons Embark on Italy Tour

CHICAGO -- The University of Chicago women's soccer team will spend 10 days in Italy as part of its preparation for the upcoming 2011 campaign.

Departing Chicago on Friday, Aug. 19, and returning the following Sunday, Head Coach Amy Reifert's team will play three exhibition matches and participate in daily training sessions while visiting Rome, Florence, Milan, and Capri, among other areas.

The trip marks the Maroons' fourth trip to Italy since their first excursion in 1999. Upon the completion of the tour, 10 different UChicago teams will have visited 14 nations since 1997.

Team fund raising efforts as well as support from the athletic department and alumni have made the trips possible.

"We have committed special endowed funds to international travel for our teams and believe that it substantially enhances the student experience here," said Director of Athletics Tom Weingartner.

"It sets our athletics program apart and makes it consistent with the college's emphasis on foreign study and travel. These foreign trips allow our athletes to gain not only national but international experience that can shape them for the rest of their lives while helping them to learn how to be genuine global citizens."

The defending University Athletic Association champion, Chicago opens its 2011 regular season at home against Kalamazoo College on Thursday, Sept. 1.

UChicago Women's Soccer Italy Tour 2011

Friday, Aug. 19
Arrive in Naples
Training session

Saturday, Aug. 20
Tour Isle of Capri
Training session

Sunday, Aug. 21
Tour of Rome, including Coliseum and Trevi's Fountain
Match #1 vs. Res Roma

Monday, Aug. 22
Tour of the Vatican, including Sistine Chapel and St. Peter's Square
Depart for Tuscany
Tour spa town of Montecatini Terme
Training session

Tuesday, Aug. 23
Tour of Florence

Wednesday, Aug. 24
Training session
Tour of Lake Como, via Cinqua Terre, the Italian Riviera


Thursday, Aug. 25
Travel to Lake Lugano, Switzerland
Match #2 vs. Rapide Lugano
Return to Como

Friday, Aug. 26
Training session
Tour village of Bellagio


Saturday, Aug. 27
Match #3 vs. FC InterMilano
Femminile K/O 9.00 P.M.


Sunday, Aug. 28
Return to Chicago

Chicago Ranked #25 in National Preseason Poll

CHICAGO -- The University of Chicago volleyball team has been ranked 25th in the American Volleyball Coaches Association preseason poll for NCAA Division III.

Chicago is coming off a 30-13 finish and its first NCAA tournament berth a season ago. Five starters from that squad return this fall.

Chicago joined Emory University (#2), Washington (Mo.) University (#3), and New York University (#21) as one of four University Athletic Association teams represented in the poll. Defending national champion Calvin College held the top spot.

The Maroons open their 2011 campaign at the Elmhurst College Tournament Friday and Saturday, Sept. 2-3.

Men's Soccer Ranked 6th in UAA Coaches Poll

CHICAGO -- The University of Chicago men's soccer team has been ranked sixth in the 2011 University Athletic Association preseason coaches poll.

Defending league champion New York University received five first-place votes to finish as the preseason favorite. Emory University placed second in the poll, followed by the University of Rochester. Washington (Mo.) University, Carnegie Mellon University, Chicago, Case Western Reserve University, and Brandeis University rounded out the ranking.

The Maroons tied for sixth place in the UAA a year ago with a 2-4-1 mark in conference action. Chicago finished 8-8-1 overall.

Chicago opens its 2011 campaign with six straight road matches, beginning Thursday, Sept. 1 at Dominican University.

Chicago Shares Top Spot in UAA Coaches Poll

CHICAGO -- The University of Chicago and Emory University have been chosen as the favorites in the 2011 University Athletic Association preseason poll of women's soccer coaches.

Chicago, the defending UAA champion, and Emory split the eight first-place votes. The University of Rochester and Washington (Mo.) University tied for third place, followed by Brandeis University, Carnegie Mellon University, Case Western Reserve University, and New York University.

Chicago won six of seven league matches a year ago to capture its fourth Association title and earn its 12th NCAA Division III postseason appearance in the past 15 years.

The Maroons open their 2011 campaign at home Sept. 1 against Kalamazoo College. Chicago and Emory meet at Stagg Field in the UAA opener on Oct. 1.

Maroons Top UAA Preseason Poll

CHICAGO -- The University of Chicago football team has been selected as the favorite in the 2011 University Athletic Association preseason coaches poll.

Chicago captured the UAA championship a year ago with a 3-0 record in league play to go along with an 8-2 overall mark.

Eighteen starters, nine on both sides of the ball, return for the Maroons this fall.

Chicago received three of the four first-place votes, with Washington (Mo.) University and Case Western Reserve splitting the other vote and tying for second place in the poll. Carnegie Mellon University checked in fourth.

The Maroons kick off their 2011 campaign at home Saturday, Sept. 3 against Beloit College at 6 p.m. (CT).