By Irina Motilla
More and more high-performance athletes are choosing CIS University, driving the university to open its doors to new sports and greater possibilities. The integration of additional sports marks a turning point for our institution, which is increasingly attracting students who already compete at high levels independently. Rather than being part of the official university athletic teams, these students arrive with their own sports commitments, and the university steps in to help them balance academic life with competitive schedules.
Ignacio Campo, CIS University Elite Sports Coordinator, and Zachary Zemmels, Athletics Development Coordinator, highlighted the diverse range of athletes recently integrated into the student body. “We have a wide variety of sports such as judo, track and field, golf, and equestrian,” emphasizing the institution’s commitment to supporting ambitious students regardless of their discipline.
What makes this initiative stand out is the personal support offered to student-athletes. CIS University helps students with scheduling flexibility, travel arrangements for tournaments, and access to facilities. While these athletes train outside of the university, our school ensures their studies remain on track.
Daniela Rubio, a student-athlete specializing in track and field and high jump, said that what first drew her to CIS University was “the athletic program, and it has been really good so far.”
Many student-athletes at CIS University face the daily challenge of balancing training sessions with academic responsibilities. Jacobo Palau, who competes in equestrian, shared that maintaining good grades is one of the toughest parts of being both a student-athlete.
“I think the most challenging thing is keeping up the good grades while you’re trying to improve in your sport,” Palau expressed.
Similarly, Álvaro Kaiser, a judo athlete with a sports scholarship, trains intensively while managing his university life. Kaiser said the scholarship reflects CIS University’s investment in his talent. He trains for an hour and a half twice a week, showing the discipline required to manage both academics and athletics.
Rafa Muller, a passionate golfer, shared how his experience at CIS University is helping him move closer to his lifelong dream.
“My dream my whole life has been to play in the US,” he said. “Thanks to this opportunity, I’ll be able to play for two years here and for two years there.”
CIS University supports student-athletes in integrating their sport into universities around the globe. One of the university’s formats, the 2+2 program (two years at CIS followed by two years abroad), makes this transition smoother and more accessible, regardless of the destination, helping them continue both their academic and athletic journeys seamlessly.
According to the Athletics Department, students who choose to study at CIS University, whether through the 4-year, 2+2, or Study Abroad programs, can expect their academic and athletic ambitions to merge harmoniously. Looking ahead, CIS University is planning to develop additional programs to give greater visibility to these integrated sports, ensuring that the achievements of athletes in judo, high jump, golf, and equestrian sports are officially recognized within the university community.