History
History of Sports at Boğaziçi
Boğaziçi has for centuries been not only an educational institution but also a vibrant center of sports. Founded in 1863, Robert College marked a turning point in the development of sports and introduced a contemporary understanding of physical education and athletics to our country.
Volleyball and basketball were played in Turkey for the first time by Robert College students. In the early 20th century, the school played a pioneering role in the spread of modern sports and helped introduce new games to young people.
By 1971, with the transformation of Robert College into Boğaziçi University, sports gained a more institutional structure. The establishment of the university brought along the opening of modern gyms, fields, and facilities. In addition, sports festivals—soon becoming a historically significant part of the university’s culture—quickly grew into one of Turkey’s largest university sporting events and continue to bring together hundreds of athletes today.
Today, sports at Boğaziçi live on as a tradition deeply rooted in history. The existing cultural heritage of sports has merged with the modern athletic culture introduced by Robert College and has been institutionalized under the umbrella of Boğaziçi University. In this way, Boğaziçi has continued to serve as both a historical and cultural center of sports from past to present.
