Purple Passports: Sport & Spectacle In Rome
Purple Passports: Sport & Spectacle In Rome
Over the past three years, the Intercollegiate Athletics Purple Passports Program has sent student athletes to French Polynesia three times and Japan twice.
This year, the Huskies are headed to Rome. Five student athletes – Kyle Coffee (men’s soccer), Ivan Piton (rowing), Brittany Porter (women’s soccer), Justin Schmidt (men’s soccer) and Shannon Simon (women’s soccer) – along with four other Washington students leave Sunday to spend 12 days abroad in a pilot program called Classics Rome: Sport and Spectacle.
The course, which is being taught by Sarah Stroup – a professor in the Classics department – is an intensive study abroad program designed to introduce students to Roman culture, spending a lot of time focused on gladiatorial events.
Traveling over spring break, the student athletes will study at Washington’s Rome Center. The journey will include overnight trips to Paestum, Pompeii and Capua, in addition to a day trip to Etruria.
The goal of the program is to immerse the student athletes in a learning environment outside of the classroom in order to connect with another culture in a way that will foster the growth of their character and leadership skills.
The five student athletes will document their journey through blog entries on GoHuskies.com, starting with Schmidt, who shares his thoughts as the Huskies begin their 12-day journey.
Justin Schmidt // Men's Soccer: Proprio Come un Turista - Just Like a Tourist
With bellies full of extremely average airplane food and eyes longing to close and catch the sleep that eluded many of us, we finally arrived in Rome. We went straight to the UW Rome Center. Once entering the city it did not matter the direction we looked out the window. History stared back from every direction. Dragging our jaws along the floor, we climbed the five flights of stairs to our rooms, only to have them fall even farther as stared in amazement at the view from our balcony.
The city sang in agreement, with a sunset as if it knew we had arrived and wanted to show us all it had to offer. Rome, the Eternal City, welcomed us with open arms.
Of course, first on our list, indulge in the delectable food we had heard so much about. Our smiles could not be contained as we allowed our teeth to sink into the crust of a pizza we have agreed is like nothing we have ever had. Domino’s, I’m sorry, there’s no going back.
We didn’t wait for the next day to get started. Our adventures began that night at Campus Martius, where hundreds of locals casually gathered to meet for the night in front of some of the world’s most legendary landmarks, including the Pantheon.
Slowly we have all begun to realize that no picture can capture the magnificent sights we see around each corner, let alone even fit a single building as they tower over the city in an unspoken elegance. Rest assured our attempts continue as we embrace the title we are given simply based on our choice of clothing, “tourist.”
Only two days in and we have been fortunate enough to experience more than many could ever dream of. Eight days remain, and we rest tonight eager to see what the following days have in store.
Justin Schmidt // Men's Soccer: Finalmente Siamo Fuori a Roma - Finally We Are Off To Rome
Excited, eager, enthusiastic, exhilarated. These words can’t come close to describing how thrilled we are to travel to Rome.
As each day passes, the excitement grows. Each time we see each other, without a single spoken word, the understanding is already there. Through exuberant smiles, and the overwhelming glimmer of joy in each our eyes, we all know it’s almost that time.
The time to set foot in another country and experience all it has to offer. The time to experience a culture different from our own, causing us to step out from our safe and comfortable world. The time when memories are created, memories to be brought back home and shared with those around us.
“I can’t wait to see the colosseum.”
“I’m interested in the old architecture.”
“I’ve just never been out of the country.”
“I just can’t wait for the food.”
Oh the food, as everyone shakes their head in agreement. Each statement, at one point or another, has been shared with excitement, but one always finds its way into every conversation, the food – pasta, pizza, risotto, scaloppine di vitello, tiramisu and gelato. At the mention of each delectable dish our mouths water, causing us to further discuss all of the things we are excited for in Italy.
Whether it be the aforementioned colosseum and the hypogeum, hikes along the Tiber River and Mount Vesuvius, a trip to Pompeii, Santa Maria in Trastevere, or visiting the catacombs in San Sebastiano, we cannot go a day without at least mentioning to one another how truly fired up we are to have this chance.
I’m sure at some point our excitement will reach its peak, but by then I imagine we’ll be well on our way to indulging in the spoils of Rome. No amount of words could explain our excitement, and for now, there doesn’t have to be. Our pictures and highly energetic stories will hopefully do it justice.
