Celebrating 50 Years of Sports Science at LJMU
In 1972, Everton supporter and LJMU research assistant Tom Reilly began conducting his PhD study on the stresses affecting the body in professional football. It was the start of something extraordinary: the world’s first sport science degree course.
Launched in 1975, Tom, later Professor Reilly, guided 22 students to become the first Sport Science graduates, a pioneering success now replicated in thousands of universities worldwide.
This month, LJMU begins its celebrations of this landmark ‘first’ for Liverpool and the journey of sport science from its humble beginnings to becoming a globally recognised leader in sport and exercise science.
Alumni from over the decades, partners and stakeholders will attend a programme of events on Friday 23 May at Tom Reilly Building in our City Campus, including:
- Open House at the Tom Reilly Building
- A networking lunch
- An afternoon of stimulating presentations, seminars and panels – this will be available as a Teams link for those who wish to join us remotely
- Drinks reception with light snacks to conclude
Director of the School of Sport and Exercise Sciences, Dr Rebecca Murphy said: “We are hugely proud of our history and excited about what comes next in sport and exercise science.
“We look forward to welcoming you on 23 May, whether on campus or online, for a day of memories, reflections and conversations about the past and the future.”
Please register here for your ticket.
You can also follow us on social media @ljmusportsci and check our website as the event approaches for updates and highlights.
MAIN IMAGE: Tom Reilly began assessing the physiology and performance of Everton football players in the 1970s.
