History of the IfS 1925 - 2025
In 2025, the Institute of Sports Science at the University of Münster will be 100 years old. Here is a brief look at the first years.
The following information on the history of the Institute comes from two sources and does not yet fully reflect the history of the Institute:
Krüger, M. (2012): Sports in the German University from about 1900 until the Early Years of the Federal Republic of Germany: The Example of Muenster and the ‘Westfaelische Wilhelms-University’. In: The International Journal of the History of Sport 29 (14), S. 1981–1997. DOI: 10.1080/09523367.2012.694072.
Prange, K.; Akademischer Oberrat i.R. am IfS Münster (2011): Zur Geschichte des Sports und der Sportwissenschaft an der Westfälischen Wilhelms-Universität Münster. In: Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster - Institut für Sportwissenschaft (Hg.): Sportwissenschaft in Münster. Fachbereich 07 - Psychologie und Sportwissenschaft. Unter Mitarbeit von Nils Eden und Michael Krüger. 3. Auflage, S. 31–33.__________
Even before the First World War, ‘university sports’ in Münster offered a limited range of different sporting activities. Fencing and gymnastics were the main traditional sports offered by the fraternities. In 1903, one year after the Akademische Lehranstalt Münster was recognised as a university, a gymnastics and fencing teacher was employed for the first time. Wilhelm Becker, who came from the TG Münster, also gave gymnastics courses for future teachers at secondary schools. However, the university did not yet have its own sports facilities, as was the case in England in particular.
It was only gradually that enthusiasm for sport spread at the university and in the city. In 1910, an Academic Committee for Physical Exercise (chaired by Prof Otto Hoffmann) was established and in 1912 a Student Committee for Physical Exercise. The latter was an early form of student co-determination. Under Hoffmann's leadership, the first university sports festival was organised in 1913.
After the First World War, participation in sport was seen as an alternative to military service, as the Versailles Peace Treaty limited the German army to a maximum of 100,000 men. Sport was therefore strongly promoted by civilian elites with militaristic tendencies during this period. At the universities, the growing enthusiasm for sport in Germany was also fuelled by student demands for compulsory courses.
Teaching and research
In 2025, the Institute of Sports Science will be 100 years old.
Here on the website, we present the activities of the IfS that we are planning for the anniversary year.
TEACHING
in summer semester 25: Project seminar M12 by Kai Reinhart, seminar by Ines Traber
To the project seminar:
In 2025, the Institute of Sport and Exercise Sciences will celebrate its 100th birthday. To mark this occasion, the seminar will analyse the development of sports science in Münster. This will include, for example, the relationship between sport and politics, theory and practice, staff and students, etc. By researching old photos/videos, with the help of archives, interviews with contemporary witnesses, etc., a pool of sources and knowledge will first be compiled. In a second step, we will then jointly consider how these sources and findings can be presented as part of the various anniversary celebrations. If interested, there is the possibility of writing a Master's thesis on the topic following the seminar.
Research
Book Michael Krüger and Kai Reinhart - 100 Jahre IfS in Münster
Brochure of the Institute 100 years of the Institute of Sport and Exercise Sciences:
- In the summer semester of 1925, courses were offered at the University of Münster for the first time at an ‘Institut für Leibeserziehungen’ (IfL). Its tasks initially consisted of organising university sports and then increasingly in the training and further education of teachers for gymnastics and sports lessons at schools. Since then, the institute has experienced an eventful history with phases of instrumentalisation, scientification, modularisation and internationalisation. The first professorship was established in 1974 and a separate ‘Sportwissenschaft’ department was founded in 1980, from which today's institute emerged in 2001. During this time/in this framework, six generations of professors and numerous other people have been committed to the theory and practice of sport in a wide variety of fields. Their ideas, plans, struggles and achievements are honoured in words and pictures in the anniversary brochure.
Special volume of the magazine STADION "100 Jahre Sportwissenschaft":
- Sports science is a young academic subject. In Germany, its foundations were laid in 1920 when the "Deutsche Hochschule für Leibesübungen" was founded in Berlin. In the following years, "Institute für Leibesübungen" were established at many universities. Their initial tasks were to organise university sports and to train and develop teachers for gymnastics and physical education. Since then, the institutes have undergone many changes in line with political, social, economic and cultural developments. This volume offers differentiated analyses by proven experts using selected examples of this exciting genesis of an academic discipline between theory and practice. The volume is not limited to Germany, but also looks at international examples.
Events and festivities
All status groups of the Institute are already looking forward to the celebration, which is to take place on 16 September 2025 at the university castle.
Alumni Party
17.5.25 im "B-Side", Am Mittelhafen 42
As part of the anniversary year, the first big alumni party is coming up:
- When: 17 May 2025, from 19:00
- Where: B-Side, Am Mittelhafen 42, Münster
The official organiser of the event is the Lampenfieber agency. Tickets are available now (only while stocks last):
Food and drink:
- Drinks and food are available in the B-Side Café. All proceeds from sales will go to the B-Side.
Music and dancing:
- From 20-20:45 the main act will be the band "Reisegruppe Hardrock"
- Afterwards DJ NoMono will be playing
We will use the surplus from the ticket revenue to support three social, sports-related projects:
- Skifahrt-Projekt für Kinder mit Krebserkrankung, Kinderkrebshilfe Münster e.V.
- Aktion Lichtblicke by Antenne Münster, the station itself also supports the party in the evening
- Kinder in Rio e.V. to take a look across the pond to Brazil, where the 2014 World Cup and the 2016 Olympics have left behind numerous social problems.
We are looking forward to a great party with many familiar and new faces!
Exam Show in the anniversary year:
We cordially invite you to a big exam show. Experience highlights from the history of the institute, marvel at outstanding student achievements and be inspired by anniversary specials. We are expecting around 1000 guests at this festive event, which celebrates the success and innovation of the institute over a century.
- When: 23 July 2025
- Where: Universitätssporthalle, Horstmarer Landweg 51
Join us and experience an unforgettable evening!
Ceremonial act
- When: 16 September 2025
- Where: in the auditorium of the castle of the University of Münster
100 Years of the institute
- When: 22 November 2025
- Where: Campus Café
MERCH
The student association sells T Shorts and other things re: 100 years of the institute:
Celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Institute of Sports Science with us and show your solidarity with stylish merchandise! High-quality shirts, jumpers and bags are waiting to be presented - a piece of history to wear! And best of all: with every purchase we support a good cause! Part of the proceeds will be donated to the Sportpaten project. Order the exclusive anniversary piece now and show your enthusiasm for sport and innovation!
- Order period: 21 July to 3 August 2025
- Order online: https://fssport.company.site/
Photo gallery
