BRUNSWICK

The moment a student’s college experience comes to an end, the quest for the next step of life typically has young men and women searching for that perfect job, preferably in their chosen field of study.

For Bath’s Beth Suggs, she will pursue her doctorate in physical therapy after taking one year off from more schooling.

However, first up was “the opportunity of a lifetime” to travel abroad, tour another country and play basketball.

Suggs, a former basketball standout at Morse High School, had this chance as part of an American International Sports Team called “Team Stripes.” The team toured Italy for a 10 days, playing four teams along the way.

“It was fantastic!” said Suggs, who graduated from the University of New England this past spring with a bachelor degree in applied exercise science in the spring.

Suggs, along with nine players from across the country, was invited to play on the squad after a stellar career at UNE. During her senior year, Suggs led UNE with 14.6 points per game and 11.3 rebounds. Her 918 career rebounds are third all-time for the Nor’easters.

Last season, UNE finished 25-5, including a perfect 18-0 mark in the Commonwealth Coast Conference. A 69-63 victory over Salve Regina in the CCC title game was followed by a 67-58 win over Bridgewater State University in the first round of the NCAA Division III basketball tournament. The Nor’easters were eliminated by Amherst in the second round.

“Going on this tour was a great way to end my basketball career,” said Suggs. “This was something new, and basketball is something I love to do. I felt that this was my last chance to show what kind of player I have become.”

First time meeting

“My teammates and I didn’t meet each other until we arrived at the airport, and from there we became friends,” said Suggs, whose squad finished 2-2 during the tour. “On the court, it was like playing pickup games, with European rules. We clicked and seemed to read off of each other well.”

The team traveled throughout Italy, visiting Rome, Siena, Montecatini, Florence, San Marino, Rimini, Vicenza, Venice, Milan and Lake Como. In between competition dates, the group was able to spend time sightseeing.

On the court, Suggs was a standout, earning three Most Valuable Player awards and leading her team in scoring in all four contests.

“AIST lined up really challenging teams for us to play, and it was fun playing against European-style teams using international rules,” said Suggs, who said another women’s squad and a men’s team also competed in Italy for AIST.

“The referees let you play a bit over there, and there aren’t as many whistles, so things get more physical. It makes you focus more on the little things in the game of basketball.

“Beyond that, to share the experience with such great people makes it special. Right from the start, you get really close to your teammates. The friendships I gained through going on this trip are ones I will carry with me the rest of my life. I would recommend it to anyone who has the opportunity to do it.”

Suggs reflected on her senior year at UNE.

“We came into the season with eight freshmen, having lost three starters and our two highest scorers,” remembered Suggs.

“Once we got onto the court, we realized we could win the conference. I took it upon myself as a senior to step up. We always talked about not being the underdogs. I wanted my senior year to be something to remember, and it was.”

Now that her tour of Italy is over, Suggs returned to her physical therapy job in Brunswick. But, she is saddened to see her basketball playing career come to an end.

“I miss playing basketball, and the coaches at UNE who really helped me get to where I wanted to go,” said Suggs.

“They believed in me, something I will always remember.

“My hopes are one day I will be an assistant coach because I want to pass on what I have learned.”