NEW ORLEANS – Through a gift by Jill and Avie Glazer, Tulane University Athletics, Newcomb-Tulane College and Tulane's Department of Sociology have partnered to offer Green Wave student-athletes an opportunity to study abroad during their collegiate careers.

In an effort to further enhance the academic experience of student-athletes, Tulane Athletics will launch the program in May 2020 with a 12-day trip to Australia. The program will be offered annually to rising junior student-athletes.

"We are deeply indebted to Jill and Avie for their generous support and endorsement of this program," Tulane director of athletics Troy Dannen said. "Throughout the years, their contributions of time, talent and treasure have helped create opportunities for our university and our student-athletes that have made us all better and stronger than we ever could be if standing alone."

Jill has served on the Board of Trustees at Tulane since 2009 and currently chairs the Intercollegiate Athletics Committee (IAC). The Glazer's gift allows Tulane Athletics to offer the same study abroad opportunities that many of their non-student-athlete peers are afforded.

"Tulane offers one of the top educational and athletic experiences in the nation," Dannen said. "The study abroad program serves to merge those experiences into a truly unique opportunity that will provide lifelong value to our student-athletes."

"Our hope is that every Tulane student-athlete will have the opportunity to study abroad before they graduate," Jill Glazer said. "International study can change the trajectory of a student's life because it opens the door to new ideas, cultures and opportunities across the globe. We couldn't be happier to make an investment like this."

According to a survey conducted by Tulane Athletics, 89.6 percent of student-athletes had not had an opportunity to study abroad, and 93.2 percent indicated an interest in studying abroad prior to graduating.

The study abroad experience will offer college credit through the department of sociology in a course titled "Sociology of Sport," which will focus on an analysis of the structure and functions of sports in contemporary society. Topics include the relationship between sports, socialization, ideology, sports and totemism, the organization of sports, and the economics of sports.

Throughout the course, students will have the opportunity to see sport through both a domestic and international lens, which we hope will afford students more of an appreciation for globalization and differences around the world.

"We are excited to offer this opportunity to our student-athletes," Tulane senior associate athletics director for academics Charvi Greer said. "Tulane University places an emphasis on global and experiential learning. Now, all of our student-athletes have the ability to engage in an international experience during their academic career."

Student-Athletes Abroad, the study abroad service provider Tulane will utilize, was created by athletes for athletes. The organization's goal is to provide student-athletes a balanced experience abroad. This is achieved by offering exceptional academic experiences, unique opportunities for engagement with local communities through partnerships, daily workouts and training with local athletes, and plenty of time for exploring local attractions.

Student-Athletes Abroad offers international education programs designed to remove barriers that typically prevent student-athletes from studying or interning abroad while using sports as a vehicle to increase cultural immersion and maximize educational opportunities.