Spreading love

Grant Benzinger, a senior guard on the Wright State men’s basketball team, recently returned from a 13-day trip to China with Athletes in Action.

“It was awesome. I wouldn’t trade it for the world,” he said.

Benzinger traveled with other college basketball players from around the country through Athletes in Action, a group that promotes faith through sports.

“The giving and receiving of love is the two most important life skills, and I don’t want college basketball players to stink at that,” said Morris Michalski, a basketball specialist with Athletes in Action.

Athletes in Action played six games against Chinese professional teams, finishing with a record of 4-1-1. While in China the team also conducted youth basketball clinics and did service work at an orphanage.

Seeing children being abandoned for their disabilities and the difficult practicing conditions at the basketball clinics made a lasting impact on Benzinger.

“It just shows you how grateful you have to be with what you have,” he said.

Wright State celebrates its 50th anniversary as an independent public university in 2017, culminating with a special Homecoming celebration Sept. 29 through Oct. 1.