ELI Potluck

On Thursday evening, September 30, ELI had a “potluck” dinner. For readers who are unfamiliar with the term “potluck,” this refers to a party with food that is supplied by party guests.  I don’t know the origin of this term, but I can guess that it comes from the idea of people bringing pots of food to a party or event, and the final menu or choice depends on luck.

So one of the exciting things about a potluck dinner is that success of the event depends on luck – or, in the case of the ELI party, success depends on that cooking skills of students who prepare or purchase dishes to bring to the party.

So we were very luck at last night’s party. It was a sumptuous feast! The dishes had their origins from around the world, and I can guarantee that better food could not be found in the finest restaurant. Our ELI students prepared some fantastic dishes. Thanks to all of you!

I was particularly impressed with the pride and skill of ELI students who did the cooking! Where did these students learn to prepare such delicious dishes? I was also surprised at the great food  prepared by the ELI faculty and staff!

A final word to ELI students: If someday you happen to prepare some dishes in your dorm or apartment, and if there happen to be leftovers, feel free to bring them to my office any time!

Jim Hamrick

Retired Korean athletes share global sports experience

Sport management faculty and the English Language Institute at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, are hosting 12 retired elite athletes from Korea this semester.

The former athletes are sponsored by the Korean Foundation for the Next Generation of Sports Talent (NEST), whose mission is to prepare retired Korean national team members for life after sport.

Assistant professor Win Koo, who is from Korea, is the primary host for the students.

Fritz Polite, Jim Bemiller, Rob Hardin and Joy DeSensi, all colleagues in the Department of Exercise, Sport and Leisure Studies, are assisting.

“This will be a great opportunity for both the NEST and the UT students to learn and share global sport culture in terms of elite sports, collegiate sports and the sport governing system,” Koo said. “Hopefully, this partnership will enable our sport management program to become a leader in international exchange programs.”

The students are in various stages of education — nine have earned bachelor’s degrees and are pursuing graduate studies in Korea while three are taking a break from their undergraduate work to come to UT.

The group includes World Championship and Asian Games medalists. They represent six different sports with four from volleyball and taekwondo and one each from judo, speed skating, archery and wrestling.

Tennessee was chosen to host the athletes because of an established relationship with NEST. Plans for a formal partnership are ongoing.  

The students are taking classes at the English Language Institute and attending a one-hour seminar each week with sport management faculty.

They have several trips planned including a weekend stay in the Smoky Mountains, and they will go to football and basketball games on campus.

Korean athletes arrive soon

Thirteen former elite athletes from South Korea will study at the English Language Institute when the fall term begins Monday.

They are involved with the Korean Foundation for the Next Generation of Sports Talent (NEST), which helps retired athletes transition from competitive sports into the business world.

With the Olympic Games in full swing in Beijing, it’s neat that the University of Tennessee gets an opportunity to host some foreign athletes of its own.

Elizabeth Davis of UT Media and Internal Relations explains what brought the South Koreans to UT in her Ready for the World feature. Read the full article.

We’ll bring you more information about the athletes after they settle into Knoxville.