From Luiss to the Universiade: the story of Gellera, Marcon and Beretta

The big day is approaching: Wednesday will see the start of the Universiade of Naples 2019. The Italian national basketball team participating in the event will be Luiss, with three students on the pitch, coach Paccariè on the bench and the logo of the Sports Association on the blue jersey. Francesco Gellera, Leonardo Marcon and Eugenio Beretta – the athletes summoned by Italbasket – told about the emotion of representing the University, their experience in Luiss and the importance of pursuing a path of Dual Career.

What emotions does the idea of representing the University at the Universiade arouse in you?
FG: For me it will be the first time with the blue jersey and I’m thrilled for this new experience. Bringing the coat of arms of the University close to that of Italy will be a great honour.
LM: I’m proud to represent Luiss. Our presence shows that you can study and do sports at high levels at the same time.
EB: It will be an incredible opportunity and I am very happy to end my university experience as I am attending the last year of the Master’s degree course.

What is your experience within the Luiss sports programme, which allows you to reconcile your sports career with your academic career?
FG: In my opinion, Luiss represents an excellence in Italy and I am really satisfied with the double path taken.
LM: The sports program is avant-garde, with some improvement can certainly reach the standards of Anglo-Saxon colleges.
EB: During my experience, I have seen the university program grow exponentially. I think that the presence of Top Athletes is very important, because they stimulate “ordinary” students to continue to do sport. Many leave when they finish high school to focus more on studying, but it’s a mistake because sport adds so much to their academic career.

Do you think that, in some way, practicing a sport helps you on books and – vice versa – being a student gives you an extra gear on the field?
FG: I think that the life lessons that sport gives you are invaluable. Continuing your studies is good for an athlete’s career: knowing how to use your head on the pitch is fundamental.
LM: Definitely yes. Reconciling the two gives you more mental temper and concentration.
EB: There are advantages in terms of organisation, time management and performance anxiety. Also, on the whole, being a student leads to a more relaxed approach to sport, because you still have an alternative.

In the future, do you think that following this double path will create professional benefits for you?
FG: I’m more than convinced, Luiss gives me the opportunity to undertake a further path of growth, expanding my future opportunities.
LM: If I went back, I would make the choice I made again. I recommend it to everyone, because it also gives a boost to the world of work.
EB: Absolutely, yes, sport is preparing to live better in the group context and to work in teams. It also teaches you how to compete in a healthy way – today with your partner, tomorrow with your colleague – because the result of a company, like that of a team, comes first.

Is there any reference figure in the Luiss world and in the Sports Association to whom you are particularly grateful?
FG: I’d like to thank AS Luiss Director Paolo Del Bene, who is passionate about the project, and especially coach Paccariè for calling me to the Universiade.
LM: Definitely Paolo Del Bene, Michelangelo Schiano di Cola and all the management of the basketball team. As well as coach Paccariè, always very understanding towards us.
EB: I am grateful to all the staff who have followed me over the years, but I want to thank particularly someone who is no longer there: Gianni Delfini. Without him there probably wouldn’t have been the AS Luiss project. He wanted to set up the basketball team, which started the entire sports programme.

Good luck to our students and to the boys of the Italian national team: we all cheer for you!