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WORLD SCHOLAR-ATHLETE GAMES
Initiatives of the Institute for International Sport

History of the Scholar-Athlete Games

View a sampling of inspiring stories about the Scholar-Athlete Games published in newspapers over the last seventeen years, since the inaugural World Scholar-Athlete Games in 1993.

View an inspiring array of testimonials from past Scholar-Athlete Games participants.

The World Scholar-Athlete Games was conceived by Dan Doyle when he was studying at the Fletcher School of Law & Diplomacy at Tufts University. The inaugural World Scholar-Athlete Games took place from June 20-July 1, 1993. Senator Bill Bradley served as honorary chair and 108 countries and all 50 states sent delegations to this extraordinary festival of sport and culture. The inaugural World Scholar-Athlete Games was hailed by the media, and most importantly, by the participants, as one of the most successful first-time international events ever held.

As a result of the success of the World Scholar-Athlete Games, the Institute received a federal grant to replicate the Scholar-Athlete Games concept in Rhode Island. In June 1995, the Institute administered the first Rhode Island Scholar-Athlete Games for elementary and middle school students. Since 1995, over 3500 Rhode Island students have participated in RISAG.

Another result of the 1993 World Scholar-Athlete Games was a separate grant the Institute received to replicate the Scholar-Athlete Games concept in Belfast, Northern Ireland as part of the ongoing peace process. The "Belfast Scholar-Athlete Games - The Olympiad" was held in August, 1995. One hundred twenty young men and women - an approximately equal number of Catholics and Protestants - participated. The success of the pilot program resulted in a full-scale 1996 "Ireland Scholar-Athlete Games." This event, which took place from August 10-17, 1996 at the University of Ulster in Belfast, involved the participation of over 400 students from the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland - an approximately equal number of Protestants and Catholics, along with a strong American Scholar-Athlete delegation. The second full-scale Ireland Scholar-Athlete Games was held at the University of Ulster in Belfast from August 14-22, 1998. Over 500 young people, including an approximately equal number of Protestant and Catholic youth from Northern Ireland and delegations from the United States and Sri Lanka took part. The third Ireland Scholar-Athlete Games took place from August 4-11, 2000 at both the University of Limerick and the University of Ulster. Over 500 young people from six countries participated and, once again, the program was adjudged a great success.

From June 22-July 2, 2000, the Institute, in conjunction with Tel Aviv University in Israel, hosted the first Mediterranean Middle East Scholar-Athlete Games. Over 300 youngsters from 15 countries participated. The Games were a major success and a highlight was a keynote address given by former Israeli Prime Minister Shimon Peres. Australia has hosted two highly successful Scholar-Athlete Games, one in Cairns in 1997 and one at Queensland University in 2006.

From June 21-July 2, 1997, the Institute hosted the second World Scholar-Athlete Games. Approximately 2,000 young people from 147 countries and all 50 states participated in this program. The 147-country delegation made the 1997 World Scholar-Athlete Games the second largest international sport and cultural event in the world that year in terms of countries represented. The Institute hosted the inaugural United States Scholar-Athlete Games from June 26-July 2, 1999. Approximately 1,600 scholar-athletes from all 50 states participated.

The Third World Scholar-Athlete Games took place from June 23-July 2, 2001 at the University of Rhode Island. One-hundred and fifty-one countries and all 50 states sent delegations to this event, making the 2001 Games the largest sport or cultural event in the world that year in terms of numbers of countries participating. The Institute for International Sport administered a highly successful European Scholar-Athlete Games in August 2002 at the University of Limerick in Ireland, and an equally successful 2003 United States Scholar-Athlete Games at The University of Rhode Island. Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani delivered the keynote address at the 2003 Games.

Two thousand four hundred participants from 157 countries made the 2006 World Scholar-Athlete Games, which was celebrated in conjunction with the Institute’s 20th anniversary, the largest sports/cultural event in the world in 2006 in terms of countries represented. Former U.S. President William Jefferson Clinton delivered the keynote address. President Clinton began his address by stating “Extraordinary! I wish there had been a Scholar-Athlete Games in my youth.” Senator George Mitchell delivered the Institute’s 20th anniversary address on October 1, as part of Closing Ceremonies. Senator Mitchell stated, “I know of no organization that does more to help young children on a worldwide basis than the Institute for International Sport.”  Rhode Island Attorney General Patrick Lynch, who served as co-chair of the Games Executive Committee, captured a common theme when he stated at Closing Ceremonies, “This was perhaps the finest youth event in history.”

1,600 scholar-athletes and scholar-artists participated in the 2008 United States Scholar-Athlete Games. General Colin Powell delivered the keynote address. In referencing the remarkable history of the Scholar-Athlete Games and the future World Youth Peace Summit, General Powell stated, “Dan Doyle and his team are on an historic mission toward world peace. This is one of the most compelling peace initiatives I have seen in years.”
Now, onto 2011!