ARLINGTON, Va. -- The USO announced Thursday that University of Colorado basketball coach Jeff Bzdelik will join five other coaches on a trip to the Persian Gulf as part of a new sports-entertainment initiative, "Operation Hoop Talk: Talking Hoops with the Troops."

Bzdelik and the other coaches will share tips, host free basketball clinics and tour military posts.

The program was created to help boost troop morale by bringing sports figures to troops stationed overseas. The Citadel's Ed Conroy, Jim Crews from West Point, Dave Leitao from Virginia, Cal-Davis' Gary Stewart and Jeff Nix, who was with the New York Knicks, are also joining Bzdelik in the program.

Bzdelik, a former member of the U.S. Army National Guard, and the other coaches will also spend time talking with military players about the game of basketball. The initiative allows coaches, professional sports figures and military players the opportunity to establish friendships and have fun in a competitive environment.

Before joining the University of Colorado, Bzdelik coached at the Air Force Academy.