The Coach’s Insight, featuring John Smith (Associate Head Coach, Cal State Fullerton)

HIGH-LEVEL BASKETBALL, EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCES, WORLDWIDE!

"I had an awesome time on this trip! It was a great experience, it helped my game, and I loved making new friends. Now, they’re more than friends, they’re my brothers. It was just awesome. I want to thank you and everyone else for giving me this opportunity!"

"I appreciate you having faith in me and allowing me to be a part of something so great!"

"I’ve had the privilege to travel with Richie on numerous tours. He's a terrific leader and second to none with his attention to detail and precise execution. His relationships with travelers make every experience the best one possible!"

“The United World Games was an outstanding experience for the student-athletes as well as the parents! From start to finish, Coach Richie was great to work with and showed a genuine commitment to ensuring that everyone had a great time! He is very knowledgeable and continues to be a great resource!”

"I really appreciate the opportunity. I had a great time on the trip! Thank you. I’ll stay in touch!"

"They were some of the best days of my life! I knew from the moment I heard you talking about this tour, I wanted to be a part of it. Not many players can say they went to play overseas and won a medal. Hardly any can say they did it at 18 and I want to thank you again for making that possible. You have a noble vision and are a great human being."

"Best basketball experience of my life! Richie, thank you so much for the opportunity you gave me to be a part of this once-in-a-lifetime experience that I’ll never forget! It was truly amazing and you and the other coaches were a pleasure to be around!”

"This was the best experience I've ever had. I made friends from all over and saw places I probably would've never experienced in my life. I had never been out of the country so I was a little nervous, but having Richie on the trip made me feel better. The trip was well planned and ran smooth. I would do it again in a heartbeat!"

"I'm grateful I got to be a part of this tour. Basketball was just one exciting aspect because we also enjoyed eating ethnic foods and opening our mind to new cultures! You did a great job in making us feel comfortable and safe the entire time... THANK YOU!!"

“Traveling overseas is something I dreamed of as a child. Going with Coach Schueler was the best decision I’ve ever made in my life. I traveled to Spain, Austria, Italy, and Germany. Coach Schueler was a great mentor and role model and still checks on me to see how I am doing. The experience was great and taught me a lot about life in many ways.”

“The trip was so amazing and the most wonderful experience we have ever endured! Richie was so helpful in helping us prepare and take care of our sons’ food allergy concerns before and during the trip! The best part was meeting people from all over the world and competing in the game of basketball! So blessed! Thank you!”

"I had a great time and an amazing experience! Glad we walked away with a medal! And it was fun getting to know the coaching staff and the other players!"

"Richie was by far the best leader I’ve ever experienced. He was very helpful and took very good care of our whole group. I would love to go on a trip with him in the future!"

"This trip was life-changing! Having a chance to see different cultures, meet so many wonderful people, and compete for the USA is something I will never forget. We had so much fun in Europe: the Opening Ceremonies, UWG Tourney, Salzburg, and the day trip to Italy. Richie was very helpful and his communication through everything made this a smooth trip."

"Thank you Richie for a wonderful trip. From the very beginning, you have been extremely helpful and attentive to all our questions and concerns. The frequent emails were full of important information. You left no stone unturned. This experience is something Isaac will never forget."

"My son Max and I had the most amazing and memorable trip to Europe. Thanks to Richie Schueler, my son got to enjoy competitive international basketball, a full multicultural learning experience, making new friends and having so much fun altogether. We will be forever grateful for this one life opportunity."

"This was a great learning experience for the cultures, the history, and, of course, the basketball games we were able to watch our kids play in. Richie, of course, was amazing and our delegation manager was a great host. Our coach found a way to teach and was successful at playing everyone while winning at the same time."

"I just wanted to thank you for giving me this opportunity to go on such an eye-opening trip. Words cannot even begin to describe how much this trip meant to me and I hope you keep bringing these kinds of opportunities to the basketball community in the future!!"

"It was the best experience I’ve ever had in my life!! I’m looking forward to it next year!"

“Thank you for leading this tour with class while keeping everybody organized throughout all of the basketball, new experiences, and educational activities that we were all able to enjoy.”

"It was a really great experience and I’m glad you gave me the opportunity to compete on the Barbados Fast Break Tour! I will keep in touch with you and I would love to be a part of another PhD Hoops Tour in the future!"

"Thank you for everything. What a wonderful and blessed experience! We are all so thankful to be a part so thank you again for including us! Blessings to you and thanks again."

"Thank you for the opportunity! It was a great trip in its entirety. I enjoyed every minute of it!"

"It was a great trip and I’m glad you chose me to be a part of it. This was an amazing opportunity and I’m glad I had you guys as coaches. I would love to keep in contact with you about coaching. I appreciate all you’ve done thus far!"

"Thank you so much for letting me go on this trip. It is one that I will always remember. Thank you for coaching me and the other kids that were on the team. I wish it was longer. Thank you!"

"I had a wonderful time. Such a great experience! I wish I could put it Into words how much fun I had, but it was an honor to wear the red, white, and blue again. I greatly appreciate the chance you gave me and my family!"

"Thank you Coach for everything. I mean it from the bottom of my heart. You're a great person for what you're doing for these young men. Much respect to you. Thank you."

"Thanks for taking care of Jaden and introducing him to international play. He has not stopped smiling and talking about the trip. Thanks for all you do. This is an amazing thing you are doing for these kids. It changed Hesro's life."

"I really appreciate the opportunity to play and I would love to be a part of anything in the future! I will definitely stay in touch and let you know my plans as I go along. Again, I thank you for the opportunity. It was a great trip all around!"

"Thank you for this opportunity. This was a great experience and a lot of fun. I'm gonna make sure to keep in touch and would love to try and go on other trips with you guys."

"I enjoyed hanging with you and the guys this last week! And I’ll do battle with you guys anytime! Whenever you need, I’ll gladly do a tour again!"

"I will always keep in touch with you as much as I am able to! Appreciate the invite to the tour. It was truly an experience that I will never forget and I really appreciate everything you did for me while I was over there!"

"Thanks Coach Richie. He really enjoyed himself and it was such an important and culturally enriching experience for him. All the guys on the team were outstanding young men. I know he will want to participate again in the future. So, thanks for extending the invitation and for coordinating such an important educational program for US collegiate and HS athletes. Excellent program. Again, thank you for everything. I have only the highest praise for the program."

"He said he had so much fun. I hope he goes again next year, but on the other one!!"

"We had a great time! Thank you for making it a great trip. We really appreciate everything! It was awesome how the team played so well together within days."

"Thank you for giving me the opportunity to represent your organization and the country. Forever grateful!"