Gerhard Trosien Turns 75, Maria Ratz Youngest Professor at accadis Hochschule
A formative personality in German sports economics and sports management
It was very fortunate for accadis Hochschule that Prof. Gerhard Trosien, when he retired (for the first time) at the age of 65, still had a lot planned. After 20 years with the German Sports Federation (DSB), the predecessor of the DOSB, and ten years as a professor of sports management at SRH University in Heidelberg, sports sociologist Prof. Gerhard Trosien had assumed a professorship at accadis University.
Prof. Gerhard Trosien helped shape the discipline of sports economics and sports management, which was still young in Germany decades ago. His sector model of sports has occupied generations of sports management students. He was a founding member of the Arbeitskreis Sportökonomie, which is still the relevant association of German sports economists. And at SRH, he has largely been responsible for the development and growth of the sports management program. At accadis University of Applied Sciences, he has also made a significant contribution to the reputation of the sports management department and has brought the Bad Homburg education provider on a par with the universities traditionally strong in the state sector at international sports management conferences.
The second retirement and handover
On December 16, 2021, Prof. Gerhard Trosien celebrated his 75th birthday. It was his long-planned decision that this would be the date of his second and final retirement. "I had a very enjoyable time at accadis Hochschule," notes Prof. Gerhard Trosien, "but at some point the time has come to hand over the relay baton. That' s when the younger ones have to step up to the front row." As a member of the Sports Management Research Group, he will still remain with accadis Hochschule and will thus have the opportunity to see first-hand whether the baton is being passed on in his spirit. "Gerhard Trosien was a formative personality," notes Prof. Florian Pfeffel, President of accadis Hochschule and Head of the Sports Management Research Group, "and it is again a lucky coincidence that Gerhard Trosien has already worked intensively in recent years with the young researcher who prevailed in the appointment process. Thus, he has made an impact beyond his active time in the leading ranks!"
Dr. Maria Ratz has been appointed to the professorship of Sports Finance and, at the age of 31, is the youngest professor at accadis University of Applied Sciences
Prof. Maria Ratz was born in Bad Salzungen, Germany, and found her way to accadis and the Rhine-Main region via her Bachelor's program in International Sports Management. Even though she then moved to the University of Jena for her Sports Management MBA, she remained loyal to the Rhine-Main region both professionally and privately. In addition to her university career, Prof. Maria Ratz primarily gained professional experience at the personnel consultancy Etengo, the German Gymnastics Federation and the German Children's Gymnastics Foundation. She wrote her doctoral thesis on crowdfunding in German professional soccer. In addition, at the age of 31, she already has a large number of conference papers and scientific publications. She is already well connected in sports management academia and practice and will be able to make her mark at accadis Hochschule. "We are glad that we could secure Maria Ratz for this professorship. The recommendation of the appointment committee was clear in this regard," adds Prof. Pfeffel. "In terms of content, the professorship was a perfect fit for me and my focal point in life will continue to be the Rhine-Main region," explains Prof. Maria Ratz, "in this respect, I am pleased that it has worked out at accadis University of Applied Sciences. Of course, I am aware that I will have some big shoes to fill when I take over the driving research role of Prof. Gerhard Trosien in the Sports Management Research Group. But I know Gerhard well and feel very well prepared." All that remains now is to hope that the pandemic in 2022 will again permit international scientific conferences so that Prof. Maria Ratz can make her presence felt there in her new role.