John Cabot University continues to maintain a solid and well-coordinated presence within Rome’s university sports scene, supported by a program that has grown steadily in both scope and consistency, welcoming both study abroad and degree-seeking students in Rome.
For the 2025-26 season, the JCU Gladiators opened the academic year with strong participation during the September tryouts, which involved 220 students and resulted in 130 athletes being selected. This led to the formation of this season’s varsity teams: Men’s Soccer (11-a-side), Women’s Soccer (5-a-side/futsal), Men’s and Women’s Basketball, Coed Volleyball, Coed Tennis, Coed Padel, and Cheerleading. The range of sports offered, together with the regularity of training sessions and the continuity of coaching staff, reflects an athletic structure that is well integrated into the academic and social rhythm of the university.
The start of the semester included the usual preparatory activities, but this year’s Varsity Retreat in Sapri stood out as a particularly significant milestone. With a record number of 100 student-athletes participating, the retreat helped strengthen group cohesion, reinforce shared values, and set a unified direction for the season. Combined with rigorous selections and early training blocks, this preparation laid the foundation for an increasingly cohesive and mature sporting environment.
Performance so far in the 2025–26 season
The early part of the season has shown particularly encouraging results across all varsity teams, with several squads demonstrating noticeable improvement compared to previous years. Men’s Soccer has been one of the standout performers, benefitting from a balanced roster and consistent match execution. Women’s Five-a-Side Soccer has also begun the season strongly, with disciplined performances that highlight both technical progress and team cohesion. Tennis, both in individual and coed formats, has recorded some of its most convincing results in recent seasons, with athletes showing enhanced competitiveness and match readiness. Other teams, including Basketball, Volleyball, and Padel, have started on promising footing as well, displaying encouraging levels of adaptability and continuity.
The Gladiators also represented JCU at the WIUC Tournament in Barcelona in November, where the university delivered a strong overall showing. Notably, the Cheerleading team achieved an excellent second-place finish, marking one of the most significant international results of the season so far.
Overall, the substantial organizational effort invested in the program is clearly paying off, both on the field and in the development of a strong, recognizable Gladiators identity. The consistency, attitude, and commitment shown by the student-athletes, who continue to demonstrate quality both in competition and in their conduct off the field, are contributing to a season marked by growth, cohesion, and an increasingly defined sense of what it means to be a Gladiator.
GO GLADIATORS!
