He is familiar with competition and competitive sports: Daniel Krüger, the new head of university sports, used to play handball professionally at TuSEM Essen, among others. But he is also well versed in theory. The 35-year-old studied sports management and sports consulting at the Ruhr University Bochum, where he headed the competitive and elite sports department at university sports from 2015 to 2024. He has now been at the UDE for 100 days. Time to ask what sports appeal to him, how important good equipment is and where he would like to take UDE university sports. Oh yes, he also has a motivational tip.
What do you need to exercise: sweatpants or high-tech equipment?
That depends entirely on the sport. I’m a handball player and it’s important that you wear high-quality shoes, for example, to prevent injuries. I also like skiing or racing bikes, and of course these are sports that are more fun when you do them with high-quality equipment. But if, for example, I just go jogging or do strength training, I don’t need the best and newest material.
What sport (from the current HSP program) would you like to master that you have never tried before?
Thanks to my sports studies and because I am generally a very sports-loving person, I have already tried out numerous sports. If I could choose a sport from the current university sports program, I would probably choose ice hockey. Otherwise, I would also find it appealing to take part in a yoga class.
What is important to you in university sports, what would you like to implement/change here at the UDE?
It is important to us to strengthen and further expand the core business of university sports. We want to offer UDE students and employees a wide-ranging, cost-effective, needs-oriented and high-quality range of sports and exercise. At the same time, we promote social values such as responsibility, tolerance, fairness and equality at our university. By organizing events, supporting competitive and top athletes and operating the two university sports fitness studios (university sports clubs), the goal is for university sports to further establish themselves as an integral part of everyday life at the UDE.
If you don’t feel like exercising, what excuse do you have?
And: What is the best way to motivate yourself?
Fortunately, this happens relatively rarely. Most of the time I’m so challenged by work or my two children that I simply don’t have the time to do any sports or I’m simply too exhausted. To motivate myself, it always helps me if I have certain goals that I want to achieve through or through sport. The thought of the positive feeling after completing a sporting session also helps me to motivate myself.
What major event are you looking forward to?
I am of course very much looking forward to the FISU World University Games 2025, which will take place here in the Ruhr area next year. After the Olympic Games, it is the second largest multi-sport event in the world. Around 8,500 athletes and officials from over 100 nations are expected and the cities of Essen and Duisburg will serve as host locations for the majority of the 18 sports. Hosting this mega student event right on our doorstep offers numerous opportunities for the UDE. Here I see, among other things, university sports as having a duty to create the conditions so that the university can take part in the event in the best possible way.
Editor: Cathrin Becker
