From November 4-8, the JCU Gladiators packed their bags, jerseys, pom-poms, rackets, and running shoes and headed to Bratislava, Slovakia for the World InterUniversities Championships (WIUC). What followed was five days of competition, friendship, challenges, unforgettable moments, and plenty of Gladiator pride.
This year, John Cabot University was represented by 54 student-athletes and 9 staff members and coaches, making it one of our largest international athletics trips to date. Our delegation included athletes from Men’s Soccer, Women’s Volleyball, Tennis, Cheerleading, and Track & Field, all proudly wearing the white and blue on an international stage.
More Than a Tournament
At first glance, WIUC is a sports competition. There are matches to win, races to run, and opponents to face. But anyone who has experienced it knows that WIUC is much more than that.
It is early-morning team breakfasts before competition. It is cheering for teammates in sports you’ve never watched before. It is meeting students from universities across Europe and beyond, sharing stories, exchanging cultures, and creating friendships that extend far beyond the tournament itself.
For many of our athletes, it was their first opportunity to represent JCU internationally. For all of them, it was an experience they will remember long after the final whistle.
Five Teams, One Gladiator Family
The Gladiators arrived in Bratislava with five different programs competing simultaneously across multiple venues:
- Men’s Soccer | 18 student-athletes
- Women’s Volleyball | 10 student-athletes
- Tennis | 5 student-athletes
- Cheerleading | 19 student-athletes and our mascot Giuseppe
- Track & Field | 2 student-athletes
Managing so many teams across several locations presented its own challenge. Soccer matches, volleyball games, tennis tournaments, track events, and cheerleading performances often took place at the same time and in different parts of the city.
Yet somehow, the Gladiator spirit found a way to be everywhere.
One moment our soccer players were battling on the pitch. The next, volleyball players were watching tennis matches. Cheerleaders became the busiest to practice for their contest on the last day, while track athletes proudly represented JCU in their events. No matter the venue, there was always someone in white and blue spreading the Gladiators’ spirit in Bratislava.
Competition Across Every Arena
The schedule was packed from start to finish.
The Men’s Soccer team fought through three group-stage matches before advancing to the Round of 16, gaining valuable experience against strong international competition.
The Women’s Volleyball team competed in three intense matches, showing resilience, teamwork, and determination throughout the tournament.
Our Tennis athletes took on opponents from around the world in singles and mixed doubles competition. Two Gladiators advanced beyond the qualifying rounds, earning additional matches and demonstrating the growing strength of JCU tennis.
In Track & Field, our two athletes represented JCU in middle-distance events, including the mile and 800-meter races. Every second counted, and both competitors rose to the challenge against talented international runners.
Meanwhile, the Cheerleading team delivered an energetic official performance after days of preparation and practice, bringing enthusiasm and Gladiator spirit wherever they went. Their performance became one of the highlights of the week, showcasing both athleticism and team chemistry.
The Moments Between the Games
While scores and results are part of every tournament, some of the most memorable moments happened away from the competition venues.
The bus rides filled with music. The team dinners after long days of competition. The countless photos with new friends from different countries. The spontaneous sightseeing around Bratislava’s beautiful old town. The pride of walking into venues knowing you were representing John Cabot University and the city of Rome.
These are the moments that define an international tournament.
Athletics teaches competition, but experiences like WIUC also teach adaptability, communication, leadership, and cultural awareness. Our students represented JCU with professionalism, respect, and sportsmanship throughout the week, both on and off the field.
A Growing Journey
One of the most valuable lessons from WIUC is understanding where we stand and where we are headed.
Many of the universities participating in the tournament have extensive athletics programs, larger infrastructures, and access to facilities and resources that differ significantly from ours. Competing against these institutions is not always easy.
Yet that reality makes our participation even more meaningful.
Every year, the Gladiators continue to grow. Every international trip provides new motivation, new benchmarks, and new experiences that help our student-athletes and programs improve. Success cannot always be measured by medals or standings. Sometimes it is found in the confidence gained from competing internationally, the friendships created along the way, and the pride of representing your university with excellence.
Once a Gladiator, Always a Gladiator
As the tournament came to an end and our delegation prepared to return to Rome, one thing was clear: WIUC 2026 was a success.
Not because of any single result, but because 54 student-athletes traveled together, competed together, supported one another, and returned home with memories that will last a lifetime.
To our athletes, coaches, staff, and supporters: thank you for representing JCU with passion, integrity, and Gladiator pride.
Bratislava gave us challenges, opportunities, and unforgettable moments. Most importantly, it reminded us that wherever we go, we travel as one team.
54 student-athletes. 5 teams. 1 Gladiator family.
See you at the next international competition. Go Gladiators!
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