Fallyn Freije (#24) will compete on Team USA at the FISU America Games
MSU’s Fallyn Freije Preps to Compete for USA Team at FISU America Games
7/18/2018 3:20:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Bobcat women's basketball newcomer Fallyn Freije trades in blue and gold for red, white and blue as she gets set to compete for the United States in the FISU America Games in Brazil
Fallyn Freije hasn't had much time to adjust to her new surroundings in Bozeman. After arriving to the Montana State University campus in June, Freije is already back on the move.
While she's switched her colors from green and black to blue and gold, she'll be representing red, white and blue on foreign land. Freije is set to participate on the USA Team in the inaugural FISU America Games in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
The opportunity came to fruition with her involvement in the organization Fellowship of Cristian Athletes. Competing as a student-athlete on the University of North Dakota women's basketball team for three seasons, she was heavily involved in the organization. Most recently, Freije made a mission trip to Guatemala with UND's FCA at the end of May.
"The last two summers I've been part of athlete ministry camps that last a week," Freije said. "They mentioned these tours and this summer they asked if I wanted to do one. There were three opportunities (this summer), and this one in Brazil was the biggest one. It had the most high-level competition. I asked coach (Tricia) Binford about it because it is two and a half weeks long and she said to go with it."
The FISU America Games are a multi-sport event sanctioned by the International University Sports Federation (FISU) that take place from July 20-29 at the Brazilian Paralympic Center in Sao Paulo. Alternating with the Summer and Winter Universiades, which invite all the countries of the world for the biennial events, the FISU America Games are a regional multi-sport event similar to the Pan-American Games for FISU member-countries of North and South America held in even-numbered years.
Freije has been practicing in Xenia, Ohio, at USA Team Camp since July 14 and will travel with the team to Brazil on Thursday, July 19. When the team arrives in South America, they will not only be competing in the basketball tournament, but will also participate in a variety of faith-based mission projects through Athletes in Action.
"We're going to be working a lot with the other athletes there," Freije said. "From my understanding, we're going to be doing devotionals and group talks about faith with other women basketball players from the other countries. That will be really cool just to see and meet a wide variety of individuals in the sport of basketball."
The USA Team will play four games in a five-day span. The first contest takes place on Tuesday, July 24, against Mexico at 2 p.m. local time. The United States squad faces Uruguay on July 25, Chile on July 27 and Brazil July 28.
"This is the first (trip) that I'm going to be involved in where I'll be competing and showcasing my skills more so than just holding clinics," Freije said.
The experience for Freije has already been a rewarding one.
The MSU newcomer has practiced with and will be teamed up with student-athletes from a variety of top programs across Division I basketball. The team features athletes from the ACC, Big East, Big Ten and Pac-12.
"It's just exciting to be here and really see how these other players play and learn things from them," Freije said. "It's just basketball, we're not too structed in how we're going to play, but this is a great and unreal opportunity as an athlete.
"From the basketball standpoint, definitely coming from UND, I'm blessed to be at Montana State. This opportunity came up shortly after that. It's really awesome, I was overwhelmed by the things that were happening. I'm looking forward to playing with the girls on the team."
More information about the FISU America Games are available on the Team USA website. A schedule for each sport is available along with links to watch live and event schedules.
While she's switched her colors from green and black to blue and gold, she'll be representing red, white and blue on foreign land. Freije is set to participate on the USA Team in the inaugural FISU America Games in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
The opportunity came to fruition with her involvement in the organization Fellowship of Cristian Athletes. Competing as a student-athlete on the University of North Dakota women's basketball team for three seasons, she was heavily involved in the organization. Most recently, Freije made a mission trip to Guatemala with UND's FCA at the end of May.
"The last two summers I've been part of athlete ministry camps that last a week," Freije said. "They mentioned these tours and this summer they asked if I wanted to do one. There were three opportunities (this summer), and this one in Brazil was the biggest one. It had the most high-level competition. I asked coach (Tricia) Binford about it because it is two and a half weeks long and she said to go with it."
The FISU America Games are a multi-sport event sanctioned by the International University Sports Federation (FISU) that take place from July 20-29 at the Brazilian Paralympic Center in Sao Paulo. Alternating with the Summer and Winter Universiades, which invite all the countries of the world for the biennial events, the FISU America Games are a regional multi-sport event similar to the Pan-American Games for FISU member-countries of North and South America held in even-numbered years.
Freije has been practicing in Xenia, Ohio, at USA Team Camp since July 14 and will travel with the team to Brazil on Thursday, July 19. When the team arrives in South America, they will not only be competing in the basketball tournament, but will also participate in a variety of faith-based mission projects through Athletes in Action.
"We're going to be working a lot with the other athletes there," Freije said. "From my understanding, we're going to be doing devotionals and group talks about faith with other women basketball players from the other countries. That will be really cool just to see and meet a wide variety of individuals in the sport of basketball."
The USA Team will play four games in a five-day span. The first contest takes place on Tuesday, July 24, against Mexico at 2 p.m. local time. The United States squad faces Uruguay on July 25, Chile on July 27 and Brazil July 28.
"This is the first (trip) that I'm going to be involved in where I'll be competing and showcasing my skills more so than just holding clinics," Freije said.
The experience for Freije has already been a rewarding one.
The MSU newcomer has practiced with and will be teamed up with student-athletes from a variety of top programs across Division I basketball. The team features athletes from the ACC, Big East, Big Ten and Pac-12.
"It's just exciting to be here and really see how these other players play and learn things from them," Freije said. "It's just basketball, we're not too structed in how we're going to play, but this is a great and unreal opportunity as an athlete.
"From the basketball standpoint, definitely coming from UND, I'm blessed to be at Montana State. This opportunity came up shortly after that. It's really awesome, I was overwhelmed by the things that were happening. I'm looking forward to playing with the girls on the team."
More information about the FISU America Games are available on the Team USA website. A schedule for each sport is available along with links to watch live and event schedules.
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