UT’s basketball team spent part of their summer in Italy playing some basketball and learning some valuable lessons. Robert Bast, associate professor of history, accompanied the team. At the request of Tennessee coach Cuonzo Martin, he was asked to generate an accredited course to dovetail education with athletics on the Vols’ ten day summer tour of the country. The emphasis of Bast’s course centered on locations circled on UT’s Italian adventure, particularly Rome and Florence, and lectures on the Renaissance. Bast knew his compensation would include a trip to Italy. He didn’t know so much more would come of it.