UNN Faculty of Physical Education and Sports celebrates its 25th anniversary
On October 16, the UNN assembly hall hosted a solemn event to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Lobachevsky University’s Faculty of Physical Education and Sports. The faculty was established on the basis of the university’s physical education department in 2001. Today, it includes 5 departments, an educational and research laboratory for integrated human health, a student sports club, and UNN teams in volleyball, athletics, swimming, checkers, basketball, mini-football, hand-to-hand combat, cheerleading, radio sports, cross-country skiing, and ice hockey.
Taking part in the event were Ekaterina Parilova, Deputy Minister of Sports of the Nizhny Novgorod region, Anton Ermakov, Director of the Department of Physical Culture and Sports of the Nizhny Novgorod City Administration, Oleg Trofimov, UNN Rector, Roman Strongin, President of Lobachevsky University, Olympic and Paralympic champions, world and European champions, colleagues and friends of the faculty. The meeting was opened by UNN Rector Oleg Trofimov.
"Our students win and take prizes in the highest-level competitions in various sports. This year, at the Tenth All-Russian Summer Universiade 2026, Lobachevsky University entered the top 10 in the team competition among universities, and the Nizhny Novgorod region ranked ninth among Russia’s constituent entities. The largest contribution to the success of our region was made by the UNN University athletics, swimming and badminton teams. Thanks to our athletes! May the years that follow be just as fruitful and successful," the Rector said.
Olga Petrova, Deputy Minister of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation, extended her congratulations to the Faculty of Physical Education and Sports on its anniversary via a video message. The Deputy Minister highlighted that over 25 years, the faculty has established itself as one of the foremost sports faculties in Russia, earning both national and international acclaim.
Numerous heartfelt remarks were made during the ceremony in praise of the current teaching staff of the Faculty and those who were instrumental in its establishment. Professor Vadim Kuzmin, an international-class Master of Sports of the USSR, and an Honoured Worker of Physical Culture of the Russian Federation, served as the founder and first dean of the UNN Faculty of Physical Education and Sports, leading the faculty until 2017. At present, Lobachevsky University boasts 17 Honoured Masters of Sports of Russia, 21 international-class masters of sports, 187 masters of sports, and 1 Russian grandmaster among its athletes. Among the faculty’s alumni are 3 Olympic champions and 2 Paralympic champions.
"Currently, the UNN Faculty of Physical Education and Sports trains highly qualified professionals to work as leaders, coaches, administrators, instructors in the areas of physical education, sports and recreational tourism, as well as sports psychologists. Our primary mission is to prepare specialists who can tackle the most challenging professional tasks. The faculty aims not only to impart knowledge but also to foster critical thinking, creativity, and leadership qualities in students," Elena Orlova, Dean of the Faculty of Physical Education and Sports, shared about the faculty's present-day activities.
Many heartfelt wishes and congratulations were expressed that day by friends and colleagues of the Faculty of Physical Education and Sports. The event’s official part concluded with creative performances by students of Lobachevsky University.
