EUROPEAN MODEL OF SPORT
As sport professionals, it is imperative to understand how the larger society outside of the U.S. is involved in the business of sport. To reinforce the global view of sports in the Center for Sport Leadership at VCU curriculum, we offer SPTL 650 European Model of Sport.
Through the course, students travel overseas to various European cities for 10-12 days of study abroad. The course is not only a tremendous culminating experience for Center for Sport Leadership students, but it offers new perspectives on much more than sport.
Please visit our blog to read one student’s experiences and reactions to our 2007 trip.
About the trip
Students meet Europe’s top sport professionals and hear about various issues they face, including club structure, players’ rights, marketing, event management and corporate sponsorship.
Students tour various European athletic facilities and arenas and attend major sporting events such as soccer games, team handball and rugby matches. Destination cities vary each year, but in the past have included:
- Paris, France
- London, England
- Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Cologne, Germany
- Athens, Greece
- Brussels, Belgium
Past tours
- Ajax Arena
- FlevOnIce
- PSV Eindhoven Arena
- Roland Garros (home of the French Open)
- Stade de France Stadium
- 2004 Athens Olympic facilities
Past lecturers
- Wim de Wit, instructor, Johan Cruyff University
- Hans Gootjes, technical director, KNSB (Dutch Skating Federation)
- Anne Gripper, manager, anti-doping services, Union Cycliste International
- Peter Kentie, manager of media and merchandising, PSV
- Yassine Yousfi, project manager, International Olympic Committee
