The Columbus State University men’s basketball team will kick off the 2018-2019 academic year with a trip to Costa Rica. Ten team members, including three new players, will head abroad on the first-of-its-kind trip on Aug. 5. The team’s itinerary includes a series of international and college games, as well as volunteer work to teach a youth basketball camp and revitalize a school.
 
“This is a way that we can find out about our team early on,” said Robert Moore, head men’s basketball coach. “It is about getting our guys together to see how they bond. It will also be a great experience for them. We try to teach them, not just about basketball, but about life.”
 
The trip has mostly been funded with donations from local businesses and supporters.