University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Jay Ladner Back in Hattiesburg After Trip to Kuwait
8/21/2024 10:14:00 AM | Men's Basketball
HATTIESBURG, Miss. – Southern Miss head basketball coach Jay Ladner recently returned from participating in the Operation Hardwood Classic basketball tournament at Camp Arifjan in Kuwait.
"I was very honored to be able to spend time with our troops in Kuwait as part of the Troops First Program," Ladner said. "I'm very, very grateful to be an American. If every American had a chance to experience what I did, they would have a deep respect for the job our troops do over there. I have incredible respect and admiration for them and was honored to be there with them"
Eight coaches volunteered their time while Troops First Foundation provided transportation, logistical support and direct contact with Camp Arifjan officials. Along with Ladner, other coaches that made the trip included John Brady, Pete Carroll, Tim Floyd, Greg Foster, Joe Golding, Jeff Jones and Jim Wooldridge.
The group arrived in Kuwait on August 11 and began working with their respective basketball teams the following day. The tournament spanned the entire week and Ladner's team was crowned tournament champions on August 16. Previous coaches to win the Operation Hardwood Classic basketball tournament have included Tom Izzo, Kelvin Sampson, Skip Prosser, Steve Lavin and Ed Conroy.
ABOUT FEHERTY'S TROOPS FIRST FOUNDATION
Feherty's Troops First Foundation works to provide meaningful assistance to US Military who have been
wounded while serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. Through several unduplicated programs along with
specialized events designed for OIF/OEF combat-wounded service members and their families, the
organization addresses relationship building, mentoring, reintegration and looking forward. For more
information, please visit www.troopsfirstfoundation.org.
"I was very honored to be able to spend time with our troops in Kuwait as part of the Troops First Program," Ladner said. "I'm very, very grateful to be an American. If every American had a chance to experience what I did, they would have a deep respect for the job our troops do over there. I have incredible respect and admiration for them and was honored to be there with them"
Eight coaches volunteered their time while Troops First Foundation provided transportation, logistical support and direct contact with Camp Arifjan officials. Along with Ladner, other coaches that made the trip included John Brady, Pete Carroll, Tim Floyd, Greg Foster, Joe Golding, Jeff Jones and Jim Wooldridge.
The group arrived in Kuwait on August 11 and began working with their respective basketball teams the following day. The tournament spanned the entire week and Ladner's team was crowned tournament champions on August 16. Previous coaches to win the Operation Hardwood Classic basketball tournament have included Tom Izzo, Kelvin Sampson, Skip Prosser, Steve Lavin and Ed Conroy.
ABOUT FEHERTY'S TROOPS FIRST FOUNDATION
Feherty's Troops First Foundation works to provide meaningful assistance to US Military who have been
wounded while serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. Through several unduplicated programs along with
specialized events designed for OIF/OEF combat-wounded service members and their families, the
organization addresses relationship building, mentoring, reintegration and looking forward. For more
information, please visit www.troopsfirstfoundation.org.
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