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The fifth edition of the City University of New York Athletic Conference Goodwill Tour took place last summer, as a team of 17 baseball players, three coaches and five administrators spent 12 days touring Italy. In addition to playing baseball games against top-notch international competition, the CUNYAC group was able to dedicate community service time throughout the country, including playing host to clinics about the sport of baseball.

After spending most of day one in Paris due to flight schedule difficulties, the CUNYAC contingent landed in Rome, where it took in sights over the next four days, played two baseball games and conducted as many baseball clinics. The team was able to see Pope Benedict XVI conduct mass in Vatican City, while viewing many of the city’s great sights – including the Colosseum and the Sistine Chapel.

In an ironic twist that shows the breadth of how far City University of New York alumni spread worldwide, the group was introduced to Robert Marino (CCNY ’64) – president of the American University of Rome. In addition, the group learned that university provost, Richard Resch had spent 11 years at College of Staten Island.

Following a series of clinics and contests against local professional baseball teams, the CUNY group moved on to Nettuno, and the infamous Nettuno War Cemetery. The burial grounds are owned by the United States, and were a place that American soldiers buried their fallen brothers killed in the line of duty during World War II.

Once the team moved on to Florence, they were introduced to Sal Varriale (International Consultant, Cincinnati Reds) and Don Landolphi (Brooklyn ’62) – both of whom are heavily involved in the Italian professional baseball ranks.

“I was extremely pleased with the quality of character and the extreme professionalism of these kids,” said Landolphi, who graduated from Brooklyn College in 1962, and had served as an instructor there until the year 2000. “I hope this shows the quality and importance the role of athletics plays in the educational experience within CUNY.”

After viewing such sights as the Michelangelo museum and the Duomo in Florence, the tour moved on to Parma and Venice – where yet another “distant relative” was introduced the group. Saul Katz is a minority owner of the New York Mets, and played a vital role in the resurrection of the baseball program at CCNY.

The CUNY group got to meet with Stefano Gelati, mayor of the town of Colorno – where the team conducted its fourth and final youth baseball clinic of the trip. After playing its fourth and final baseball game of the trip (the team ended with a 3-1 record), the last day of the tour rounded out with a trip to Marina di Messa – a beach along the Mediterranean Sea.