Two-time national champion and Minnesota alum, Christine Jennings, has been awarded the International Academy of Sports Science and Technology (AISTS) Athletes scholarship. The scholarship for professional athletes funds half of the tuition fee for the 14-month AISTS Master of Sports Administration, which takes place in Lausanne, Switzerland annually.
Jennings, an accomplished open water swimmer and previous USA national team member, plans on joining the international class of aspiring sports managers beginning in January 2016. According to AISTS, graduates of the 14-month Master of Sports Administration go on to pursue careers with sports organisations, such as the International Olympic Committee, international sports federations, and sport agencies.
Says open water swimmer Jennings of the scholarship opportunity, “I am most excited about the opportunity to learn in an environment conducive to sport with the added experience that the teachers and students from across the world will bring to the table,”
AISTS Executive Director, Dr. Claud Stricker, commented that, “It was Christine’s impressive record in swimming together with her work in promoting safety in the sport for athletes that thoroughly convinced the Scholarship Selection Committee.”
Jennings suffered an almost career-ending leg fracture in 2011, which sidetracked her career for several months and put her swimming future in question. But the now-28-year-old battled back and made the 2013 FINA World Championships open water roster, winding up with an overall 6th place finish in the 25k and 10th place result in the 10k in Barcelona. At this spring’s 2015 Open Water Nationals, Jennings finished 5th in the women’s 5k and 7th in the 10k race.
Congratulations Christine! I wish you the very best in your new challenge. I KNOW you will do very well!!