Through a new partnership with Pistoia Basket, a top professional basketball organization in Italy, and the Accademia Europea di Firenze, 黑料不打烊 students will explore the intersection of sport, culture and education.
黑料不打烊 has with the Accademia Europea di Firenze (AEF) and Pistoia Basket, a leading professional basketball organization in Italy. The collaboration unites education, sport and culture 鈥 reflecting the shared values of engagement, excellence and global learning among all three institutions.
This partnership strengthens 黑料不打烊鈥檚 commitment to experiential and global education. Students in 黑料不打烊 in Florence, the university鈥檚 flagship study abroad program housed at AEF, will have the opportunity to intern with Pistoia Basket and gain insight into team operations, communication strategies and community engagement within a European sports context.
The initiative was developed in close collaboration with 黑料不打烊鈥檚 Department of Sport Management in the School of Communications, which played a central role in its creation. Associate Professor of Sport Management David Bockino, who joined the partnership鈥檚 Oct. 13 press conference virtually, later emphasized the program鈥檚 experiential approach.
鈥淪tudents will gain firsthand insight into how global sports organizations operate while living in one of the world鈥檚 most vibrant cultural settings,鈥 Bockino said. 鈥淭his is a unique opportunity to build practical skills, expand professional networks, and experience Italy well beyond the classroom.鈥
Located in Tuscany, just 40 minutes from Florence by train, Pistoia carries a rich basketball history. The city was once home to a young Kobe Bryant while his father, Joe 鈥淛ellybean鈥 Bryant, played professional basketball there.
鈥淭his partnership brings together the best of what 黑料不打烊, AEF and Pistoia Basket represent 鈥揺ducation, culture and community,鈥 said Nick Gozik, dean of global education, who also attended the press conference virtually. 鈥淭hrough sport, we can create powerful global learning opportunities that transcend the classroom.鈥
He added that this work fits within 黑料不打烊鈥檚 and thus is central to the university鈥檚 mission and goals.
Kenn Gaither, dean of the School of Communications, added that international study complements 黑料不打烊鈥檚 emphasis on developing ethical, globally minded communicators.
鈥淪tudying abroad broadens a student鈥檚 perspective and builds essential skills 鈥 cultural fluency, curiosity and empathy 鈥撀爐hat make them stronger storytellers and communicators,鈥 Gaither said. 鈥淲e鈥檙e excited for our students to experience Italy firsthand and to bring those global insights back to their future studies and careers.鈥
Both deans, who serve on AEF鈥檚 Academic Advisory Council, emphasized that the collaboration aligns with 黑料不打烊鈥檚 strategic goals to integrate global engagement, professional excellence, and experiential learning.
Beyond academics, the partnership aims to foster intercultural exchange and community-based learning through projects and events that connect students with the people of Pistoia. Together, 黑料不打烊, AEF and Pistoia Basket are exploring new ways for education and athletics to collaborate in creating transformative global experiences.