The United States Sports University (USSU) proudly announces that it’s Center for the Study of Olympic Sport & Culture (CSOSC) has been formally recognized by the International Olympic Committee’s Olympic Studies Centre as a member of the global Olympic Studies and Research Centres (OSRC) Network.
With this designation, CSOSC joins a distinguished international network of 83 member centers across 28 countries, becoming only the second recognized center in the United States and the seventh in North America. Membership in the OSRC Network promotes international collaboration and academic exchange, expands research and publication opportunities, and enhances the University’s global visibility and connects faculty, staff, students, and alumni with Olympic institutions, scholars, and initiatives worldwide.
“We are proud to be recognized as a member of this prestigious group of world-class universities as an Olympic Studies and Research Centre,” said Dr. Steve Condon, President of the United States Sports University. “The achievement affirms USSU’s mission to academic excellence and scholarly impact for the global realm of sport.”
The Vision Behind Olympic Studies Centres
The concept of Olympic Studies Centres traces its origin to Baron Pierre de Coubertin, founder of the Modern Olympic Games, who believed that dedicated centers for Olympic studies were essential to preserving and advancing the Olympic Movement. This vision was formally developed in 1982 with the establishment of the first IOC Olympic Studies Centre under the presidency of Juan Antonio Samaranch, with a mission of advance understanding, education, and scholarly research related to Olympism.
Building on this foundation, the IOC developed the Olympic Studies and Research Centres Network to support academic inquiry into the Olympic Movement and the Olympic Games through teaching, research, publications, and conferences—particularly within the humanities and social sciences. These centers collect, preserve, and share Olympic knowledge; foster education and research; encourage collaboration among academic institutions; and provide a platform for dialogue between scholars and the Olympic Movement.
Center for the Study of Olympic Sport & Culture
The Center for the Study of Olympic Sport & Culture was established in November 2023 and formally chartered by USSU faculty as a university-wide academic initiative. The Center is dedicated to the study of international sport and the Olympic Movement, with a mission to generate and disseminate knowledge through research, teaching, and community outreach. Its work emphasizes sport business, sport science, and the social and cultural aspects of Olympism.
“The modern Olympic Games stand as one of the most powerful cultural forces in the world.”, shared Dr. Roch King, CSOSC Council Chair and USSU Chair of Sport Coaching. “The Center for the Study of Olympic Sport & Culture is excited to join the global community of scholars in advancing Baron de Coubertin’s vision and the ongoing work of the Olympic Movement. This recognition will further strengthen university research and publication efforts while expanding learning opportunities, hands-on experiences, and engagement both inside and outside the classroom.”
In spring 2024, USSU submitted its Academic Alliance application to the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC), marking an important step toward national and international recognition. On June 17, 2025, the IOC received a formal letter of endorsement from the USOPC recognizing the Center’s organizational structure, mission, and scholarly contributions. Building on this support, USSU submitted its formal application to the IOC Olympic Studies Centre in November 2025, and on December 9, 2025, the university received official notification of recognition into the global OSRC Network, completing the designation process.
This milestone reflects a long-held vision of USSU founder Dr. Thomas P. Rosandich, whose lifelong passion for Olympic sport and culture helped shape the university’s founding and mission. This achievement honors Dr. Rosandich’s legacy while positioning USSU as a leader in Olympic scholarship and global sport research.
Planned Research and Projects
CSOSC’s study and research initiatives reflect a comprehensive commitment to advancing scholarship through archival research, academic programming, faculty research, publication, and community engagement. Current and planned initiatives include:
- Undergraduate and graduate coursework focused on Olympic history and Olympic ideals, using the Olympic Games as a lens to examine broader social, economic, cultural, and physiological issues.
- Research by Dr. Cristian Zaharia and Dr. Noemi Zaharia on leadership characteristics of Olympians, to be presented at the 17th Annual International Symposium for Olympic and Paralympic Research, February 18–20, 2026, in Naples, Italy.
- A special issue of The Sports Journal, published by USSU, titled The Olympic Games in the USA, scheduled for publication in October 2026.
- Organization and cataloging of significant collection of Olympic archives and Olympic-related art established by founder Thomas P. Rosandich, supporting research in Olympic history, culture, and heritage preservation.
- Support for USSU’s annual Olympic Day celebration (June 23), engaging the local community through Olympic-themed youth activities and scholarly events for Olympic researchers.
Global Impact and Opportunities for USSU
This designation marks USSU’s formal inclusion in the global network of Olympic Studies Centres and carries with it endorsement from the University’s faculty and administration, the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee, and the International Olympic Committee Olympic Studies Centre. The recognition affirms the quality and relevance of work already undertaken by USSU faculty, students, and research affiliates, while positioning the university as an active contributor to international dialogue on the Olympic Movement.
The OSRC designation is also a testament to the enduring legacy of USSU’s founders and their long-term commitment to global sport education.
“USSU’s founder and his son, Thomas P. Rosandich and TJ Rosandich, dedicated more than 50 years to building a global network of relationships, academic degree programs, and sport training certifications,” said Dr. Steve Condon. “That legacy established a standard of excellence that distinguishes our institution as the only standalone, fully accredited, degree-granting university for sports education in America. As only the second university in the United States designated as an OSRC Centre, we are honored to serve and inspired to advance the study of Olympic sport and culture through research and international collaboration.”
Membership in the OSRC Network will create multiple opportunities for students to collaborate with peers and faculty from other centers worldwide through educational programs and research initiatives. For example, the CSOSC will participate in the IOC Case Study Competition, in which student teams develop and present projects to panels of Olympic sport experts, including members of the IOC and International Sport Federations. In addition, the IOC Olympic Study Centre sponsors competitive research grants for established faculty, doctoral students, and early-career scholars—opportunities that will further enhance USSU’s research impact.
This distinguished recognition elevates the United States Sports University on the global stage and affirms its role as a leader in Olympic scholarship and sport education. Through international collaboration, rigorous research, and scholarly exchange, the Center for the Study of Olympic Sport & Culture is poised to advance knowledge, foster dialogue, and contribute meaningfully to the worldwide community of Olympic studies and research centers—strengthening the Olympic Movement for generations to come.
For more information about the Center for the Study of Olympic Sport & Culture, visit:
https://ussu.edu/academic-programs/center-for-the-study-of-olympic-sport-and-culture/
University Contacts:
Shealynn Miller
Chief Operations Officer
smiller1@ussu.edu
251-626-3303 ext. 7212
Sophie Brooks
Director of Marketing
sbrooks@ussu.edu
251-626-3303 ext. 7243
