Summer Stories: Sport Management Students Tour Europe

Students in the Sport Cultures Abroad course spent the first few weeks of summer traveling throughout Europe to learn about sport and entertainment in Germany and the Czech Republic.

Taught by Dr. Katie Burkowski, associate professor of sport management, Sport Cultures Abroad teaches students about historic and modern sport offerings outside of the United States. Throughout the semester, they explored  how recreational, scholastic, collegiate, and professional sport contribute to different cultures. The course culminated with a 12-day trip abroad to tour landmarks and sports venues.

A highlight of the trip was a visit to the Berlin Olympic stadium, which the students had studied in class. The group also received an in-depth look of SAP Garden, learning about the day-to-day operations involved in hosting Red Bull hockey and Bayern basketball games. The tour included stops at the box seats, VIP areas, practice rinks, and more. They also explored the roof of the venue, which was designed to advance SAP’s sustainability and corporate social responsibility efforts. The space includes a natural ecosystem with bees to help support biodiversity. The next day, students attended a Bayern playoff game, experiencing the atmosphere and environment of basketball abroad.

Next, the group toured the Allianz Arena, home of FC Bayern Munchen. The stadium also hosts concerts and American football games. 

On the last day of the trip, the students took a bike tour and saw the beginnings of a celebration in the town square in honor of Champion League winners Bayern München.

While abroad, they also saw The National Theater and the Bavarian Prime Minister Building and its gardens.

Throughout the summer months, Fisher students stayed busy conducting research, traveling abroad, engaging in internships, and more. Over the next few weeks, check out the Summer Stories series and learn more about how members of the Fisher community spent their summer.