While many institutions study sports and offer degrees specific to sport, until now, no University has made sport the centerpiece of a multidisciplinary program. Tulane University has created a unique sport-centric academic program whose whole is greater than the sum of its part. Combining the expertise of academics in different fields of study yields better results for athletes, students, and society.
Much like sport’s ability to cross international boundaries and bring people together, sport is uniquely situated to bring together academic disciplines. Nearly every academic discipline can be applied to the study of sport. Sport is therefore an ideal vessel to cross academic boundaries and work collaboratively to examine crucial problems facing sport and society. Sport is also an ideal lens through which to examine the world, enabling us to gain a deeper understanding of individual academic subjects in an engaging, exciting, and familiar environment.
The benefits of sport extend beyond the playing field. Its wide-ranging effects are well documented: participation in sport enhances health and academic achievement, improves mental health, supports family life, boosts the economy and instills civic pride.
Yet along with these advantages and opportunities comes special challenges for athletes. As athletes transition from one level of sport to the next, and eventually out of sports, they face unique
challenges. The Center for Sport takes a holistic approach that incorporates medical, social, psychological, legal and business services to keep athletes at all levels safe, healthy, and informed. Tulane is the only university in the country focusing on all of the challenges that can stand in the way of fulfilling careers and successful lives for athletes at every level of play.
Why Tulane University?
Basing the Center for Sport at Tulane provides several unique benefits. First, because Tulane is a nationally ranked research university, it has the resources to provide trustworthy, unbiased care and advice to athletes, leagues, and other stakeholders supported by its sports medicine, business, law, and mental health experts. Second, the research capabilities of the university’s experts and facilities create the opportunity to conduct sophisticated, world-class research about the problems facing athletes. Finally, Tulane’s extensive alumni network and reputation in the sports industry will enable the Center for Sport to work with top individuals in the industry to solve problems as well as continue to place students in positions throughout sports. This exceptional synergy will help today’s athletes face their special challenges as they transition into and out of professional sports and will benefit the athletes of tomorrow at every level of play.
Why New Orleans?
There is no other city in the country quite like New Orleans, and its sports culture is unrivaled. Home to Super Bowls, Final Fours, and All-Star games, the Big Easy has a rich and vibrant history as a sports town. The plethora of major sporting events hosted every year in New Orleans combined with the professional and collegiate teams that call the city home provides the Center for Sport with unparalleled opportunities for athletes, students, and the community today and well into the future.
- More Super Bowls have been played at the Superdome than at any other sports facility. In total, New Orleans has hosted 10 Super Bowls.
- The Superdome has also hosted five NCAA Men’s Basketball Final Fours and three NCAA Women’s Basketball Final Fours. The Final Four will return to New Orleans in 2022.
- New Orleans has been home to the annual Sugar Bowl since 1935. Originally played at Tulane Stadium, it has been played in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome since 1975.
- New Orleans was home to four BCS National Championship Games and will host the College Football Playoff National Championship game in 2020.
- The NBA All-Star Game was held in New Orleans in 2008, 2014, and 2017.
- New Orleans is also home to WWE Wrestlemania events, PGA Tournaments, three professional sports teams, and seven collegiate athletic programs.
With the Center for Sport, Tulane brings together the brightest minds across fields to study everything from the impact of head trauma on athletes, to the federal regulation of the major leagues, it has the resources of Tulane University at its fingertips, the brightest minds at our University will be available to offer insight, research and provide solutions for the complex issues arising out of the sports world. When you combine these with the spirit, history and rich sports culture of New Orleans, you get an unparalleled opportunity to positively impact athletes, students and the entire community.
Tulane President, Mike Fitts
