United States Sports University: A Brief History
In 1972, Dr. Thomas P. Rosandich recognized the growing demand for specialized sports education in America. His vision led to the founding of the United States Sports Academy(USSA), with the mission to serve as a national and global resource for the advancement of sports through education, research, and service.
The Academy’s founders envisioned a “university without walls,” allowing students to pursue their passion for sports education anywhere in the world. Since 2001, when USSU launched its first online course, the university has provided flexible distance learning programs and mentorship opportunities to ensure student success.
As “America’s Sports University,” we have earned a global reputation for excellence, attracting students worldwide to our degree and continuing education programs. The success of our alumni is a testament to the quality of education we provide.
University Timeline
| 1972 | The Academy was founded by Dr. Thomas P. Rosandich. |
| 1976 | The Academy moved from Milwaukee, Wisc., to the campus of the University of South Alabama in Mobile, Ala. |
| 1983 | The Academy moved into its permanent home on the eastern shore of Mobile Bay in Daphne, Ala. |
| 1983 | The Academy received its initial accreditation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). |
| 1984 | The American Sport Art Museum and Archives was founded with a modest collection of sport art. |
| 1985 | The Academy’s Awards of Sport program began. |
| 1988 | The state of Alabama recognized the American Sport Art Museum and Archives (ASAMA) as a state treasure and Governor Fob James dedicated ASAMA in a special ceremony. |
| 2001 | The Academy introduced its web-based distance learning course delivery system. |
| 2015 | Board of Trustees voted Dr. T.J. Rosandich as the President and CEO of the Academy. |
| 2020 | The Academy’s Bachelor of Sports Science degree in Sports Coaching earned accreditation from the National Committee for Accreditation of Coaching Education (NCACE) under the auspices of the United States Center for Coaching Excellence (USCCE). |
| 2021 | The Academy became the first sports university to earn accreditation from the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP). |
| 2023 | Dr. Steve Condon is named the third president at the United States Sports Academy. |
| 2025 | Board of Trustees approve name change from Academy to the United States Sports University |
| 2026 | The United States Sport University’s Center for the Study of Olympic Sport and Culture is recognized by the IOC Olympic Studies Centre as a member of the global Olympic Studies and Research Centers network. |
Our Founding President
A native of Sheboygan Falls, Wisconsin, Dr. Thomas P. Rosandich served as the president and chief executive officer of the United States Sports Academy for 43 years until 2015. His son, Dr. T.J. Rosandich, was named his successor. Dr. Rosandich’s enduring legacy lies in USSA’s continued success as an independent, accredited sports university with a special mission to serve both the nation and the world through programs in instruction, research, and service.
Rosandich founded then USSA in 1972 following the poor performance of the United States Olympic team in the 1972 Munich Games. Recognizing a lack of quality coaching and training, Rosandich believed education was the key solution.
In 1976, Rosandich relocated the university to Alabama, making it the only free-standing and accredited sports university in the United States. Over the past 45 years, the university has conferred thousands of sport-specific degrees to its students and has enriched the lives of countless more through its education and outreach programs that have been delivered in some 67 countries around the world. The university now offers bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degree programs as well as a wide array of non-degree sport education programs.
Education
Dr. Thomas P. Rosandich’s passion for sports began on the playing fields of the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, where he excelled in both football and track and field. He graduated in 1954 with a degree in physical education and history, laying the foundation for his impressive career.
UW-La Crosse recognized Dr. Rosandich’s achievements by inducting him into their Athletic Wall of Fame in 1983. They further honored him as the Maurice O. Graff Distinguished Alumnus in 1989, and established the annual Rosandich Thesis Award, recognizing the year’s best master’s thesis student.
Dr. Rosandich’s thirst for knowledge led him to pursue a master’s degree in sport administration from the National School of Sport at the University of Indonesia, followed by a Ph.D. in research from Union Graduate School in Ohio.
Before founding the United States Sports University (USSU), Dr. Rosandich served as director of athletics at the University of Wisconsin system campuses at Parkside and Milwaukee. His dedication to track and field earned him a place in the prestigious Helms Track and Field Hall of Fame.
Beyond athletics, Dr. Rosandich has actively participated in professional organizations like the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA).
Local & International Impact
Following graduation, Dr. Rosandich embarked on a remarkable 20-year career with the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve. There, his passion for sports translated into coaching numerous world record holders and Olympic track and field athletes. He established the first Marine Corps Schools Relays in Quantico, Virginia, and was named All-Marine Track and Field Coach, All-Marine Cross Country Coach and All-Service Coach for the 1956 Melbourne Olympics.
Beyond the Marines, Dr. Rosandich’s dedication to sports diplomacy found him coaching national teams in over 50 countries. As part of the U.S. State Department’s “U.S. Ambassadors of Sport” program, he used sports to foster positive relationships between America and nations worldwide.
Rosandich’s impactful work as a leader in the global advancement of sport culminated in him receiving the prestigious Olympic Order, the International Olympic Committee’s highest honor, in 1997.
Rosandich’s influence in Southwest Alabama extends beyond sports and education. His initiatives include the creation of Operation Bounceback, the first cardiac rehabilitation program in Mobile. Additionally, through the Academy’s outreach programs, the institution has distinguished itself as the only organization in the area to have hosted six foreign heads of state in the Port City.
Contributions to the Arts
Located in Daphne, Alabama, the University campus is also home to the American Sport Art Museum and Archives (ASAMA). Founded in 1984 by Rosandich, ASAMA embodies the enduring connection between sports and art. Through tireless effort, Rosandich built the collection into a world-recognized museum housing more than 1,800 pieces in various mediums. It is considered the largest museum of its kind in the world and is open to the public free of charge as a community service.
Rosandich also created USSA’s Awards of Sport program, which annually serves as “A Tribute to the Artist and the Athlete.” This program honors individuals who have made significant contributions to sports in categories that celebrate both artists and athletes across various sports disciplines.
