Strength of Spirit, Body, and Word: Who Trains Tomsk’s Coaches and Champions?
The Institute of Physical Culture and Sports (IFCS) at Tomsk State Pedagogical University was founded in 1949 and is the oldest institution of its kind east of the Urals. Over the decades, it has produced nearly six thousand specialists – including world and European champions, renowned coaches, talented educators, sports event organizers, and professionals in business, politics, and culture.
How did the university become a training ground for world-renowned champions?
We are certainly proud of our graduate athletes. However, our main mission is to train qualified professionals — future coaches and physical education teachers — who, in turn, train outstanding athletes. One of the key components in preparing a specialist in this field is competitive experience. That’s why many of our students are seriously involved in sports and often represent the Tomsk Region and even Russia on national teams. Another important goal of the Institute is to create optimal conditions for students to combine athletic development with a high-quality university education.
We have had Olympic team members who successfully balanced training, competitions, and academic studies. Our program is built on a combination of theoretical and athletic disciplines. As future educators, our students gain a wide range of competencies — from pedagogy and psychology to medical and biological sciences.
By the time they graduate, they are fully equipped with the methodology for teaching core sports that are part of school, preschool, and university physical education programs. They also know how to organize sports events.
Practical experience starts as early as the first year: students volunteer, assist, judge, or co-organize competitions, take part in coaching or teaching in schools, and travel to children’s summer sports camps to gain hands-on skills.
Are there any specific sports specializations?
Yes, when enrolling in the Institute, students choose a sport in which they plan to develop professionally. There are more than ten options, including basketball, volleyball, football, boxing, kettlebell lifting, track and field, lapta, and others. Many of the instructors — formerly high-level athletes — are now candidates or doctors of science. It’s a true example of harmony between physical and intellectual development, and a role model for future generations of students.
For instance, powerlifting coach Ekaterina Tanakova is an Honored Master of Sports and a multiple world and European champion. Every year, her students meet the standards for the Master of Sports title.
The Institute also houses the Poseidon Center for Sports and Health Swimming, where student swimmers train. Classes are led by highly experienced specialists — Alexey Vyazigin, PhD in Pedagogy and International Master of Sports of Russia, and Konstantin Bezotechestvo, PhD in Pedagogy and Master of Sports of the USSR.
Elena Bondarenko, a Master of Sports in rhythmic gymnastics and PhD in pedagogy, teaches sports fitness aerobics at the Institute. The ski racing program is led by Olympic champion, Honored Master of Sports, and the TSPU alumna Natalia Baranova, who is also an Honorary Citizen of Tomsk Region.
What about career opportunities after graduation?
Graduates of the Institute are in high demand and can work in a wide range of areas in the field of physical education and sports. In addition to schools and educational institutions, they are employed in fitness centers and public or municipal organizations focused on physical culture and sports.
How to apply?
The Institute offers two bachelor’s degree tracks in Pedagogical Education: «Physical Education» and «Additional Education», available in both full-time and part-time formats. There are about 50 state-funded spots for full-time students and 24 for part-time. The master’s program offers around ten state-funded places.
To apply for the bachelor’s program, applicants must pass two entrance exams: Russian language and social studies. High school graduates use their Unified State Exam results, while other applicants take the exams at the Institute. In addition, candidates must complete two physical fitness tests: on the first day, they choose three exercises from a set list; on the second day, they complete track and field events. Admission to the master’s program is based on an interview.