Vincent Polakovic

University of San Francisco

History

University of San Francisco, California (2004-2008)

USF is a private, Jesuist, Roman Catholic university located in San Francisco, California. Founded in 1855, USF is the oldest institution for higher learning in San Francisco and the third oldest intitution in California. USF’s 8,500 member student body is composed of students from 75 countries, and is ranked in the Top 15 ntiona universities for student diversities and international student enrollment.

University of San Francisco Athletics

Athletics at USF dates back to its founding in 1855, when founder Anthony Maraschi, S.J. organized ball games as recreation for the first students. However, intercollegiate competition only dates back to 1906. when then- Saint Ignatius College began playing organized baseball, basketball, and rugby against local collgees and high schools. As the college began to develop an identity distinct from the high school- the college became the University of San Francisco in 1930- it adopted green and gold as its collors in 1927 and choose Don as its mascot in 1932. USF competes in the NCAA’s Division I and is a charter of the West Coast Conference.

Highlights

The men’s basketball team has won three national titles: the 1949 NIT under Pere Newell, and the 1955 and 1956 NCAA championships. The latter two were under Phil Woolpert, and led by player and National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Famer Bill Russell. USF retained its status as a basketball powerhouse into the 70’s and early 80’s, holding the distinction of being a “major” program in a “mid-major” conference. It held the number one spot in the polls on numerous occasions.

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Urspring High School, Germany (2000-2004)

Urspring is a boarding school about 25 km west of Ulm, city in South Germany that has about 150.000 inhabitants and is located right between Munich and Stuttgart. The school is over 70 years old and located in a more than 800 years old monastery.

Urspring Basketball Academy

Urspring Basketball Academy was founded in 1998. The Urspring Teams are competing in the top German youth leagues along with the Erdgas Ehingen/ Urspringschule Team, that is the youngest team playing in the German 2. Basketball Bundesliga (Pro B). Throughout the past decade Urspring Basketball Academy coached by Ralph Junge established itself as one of the best Basketball programs not only in Germany, but throughout the whole Europe.

Highlights

High School Championship
In 2001, Urspring won its first national title, claiming the German High School Championship. Since 1999 Urspring reached the championship game eight times, winning 4 titles.

Club Championship
In 2004, Urspring won its first German Club Championship that was repeated in 2005. In 2007 Urspring became the first German Champion of the new founded NBBL (National German Youth League).

International Tournaments
Urspring has also participated in many international tournaments throughout the world. As the only non-american Team Urspring took part in some of the best US High School Tournaments (Amare Stoudemire Invitational/Florida, Iolani Classic/Hawaii, Arby’s Classic/Tennessee), but also competed in elite youth tournaments across Europe (Italy, France, Austria).

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Chemosvit Svit, Slovakia (1996-2000)

Svit is a small town located in immediate distance of Poprad, tenth largest city is Slovakia. It lies in northern Slovakia at the foothills of the High Tatra Mountains, one of the most attractive tourist locations in the country.

Chemosvit Svit Basketball Club

Chemosvit Svit Basketball Club was founded in 1947. The club has teams competing in the top Slovak youth leagues along with the Chemosvit Svit Senior Team, which is playing in the Slovak 1. Division (Extraliga). The basketball club has very rich tradition; over the years it belonged to the most successful Slovak basketball teams, raising numerous players that were active in the Slovakian National Team.

Highlights

Since its existence, Chemosvit Svit was able to win number of titles in the youth’s and men’s categories. Among its best accomplishments were the wins against top teams such as Honved Budapest or CSKA Moscow in the European Champions Cup. In the recent years Chemosvit Svit belongs to the top teams in the country reaching impressive results in the Slovakian league as well as in the Slovakian Cup.