A delegation of ten students from Endicott College—seven majoring in Sport Management and three in Business Administration with a specialization in Sport Management—visited the campus of CIS University alongside two of their professors to learn about sports management in Spain.
The students, who study at Endicott College’s campus in Beverly, Massachusetts, spent two weeks at our campus in Madrid, accompanied by Dr. Kevin Rooney, Associate Dean of the School of Sport Science at Endicott College, and Dr. Paola Rivera, Adjunct Professor in the same school.
During their time in Spain, the students received training on the structure and governance of sports in Spain compared to the United States, as well as on Madrid’s role as a global sports capital. Several of the sessions they attended were led by faculty and staff from CIS University. They also had the opportunity to learn from guest speakers such as Sergio Torres, Tournament Director at Centro Nacional de Golf; Cristina Novella McCarthy, CEO and Director of Golden Padel; Fernando Reborio from Zentro Basket Academy; Alex Díaz, President of Pro Athlete Team; Rafael González, Commercial Director of Sports Summit Madrid; and Dr. Antonio Roibás, Medical Director at RX2, among others.
In addition to their academic training, the Endicott group made the most of their time in Madrid by immersing themselves in the local culture. Accompanied by professors from CIS University, they took part in guided visits to Barrio de las Letras, the Prado Museum, and the Royal Palace, as well as excursions to Toledo and Segovia.
The experience was further enriched by a tour of Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, a flamenco performance in Madrid, and attending a La Liga match between Real Madrid and Athletic Bilbao.
Zachary Zemmels, Athletic Development Coordinator at CIS University, highlighted that the academic visit to Spain helped students develop a more global perspective on sports.
“Sport is a truly global industry, capable of bringing people together through a shared passion. However, each country has its own style, from how sports are played to preparation and pre-game rituals. Over these two weeks, Endicott Sport Management students experienced an immersive introduction to the Spanish sports industry, gaining valuable insights into the differences between the Spanish and U.S. sports sectors. This knowledge will help them apply what they have learned in their own sports communities and future careers.”