Burrell grad selected to attend international athletic forum

Burrell graduate Nicole Kristof is making her mark on the water as a member of the Robert Morris University rowing team.

But her athletic influence and passion extends beyond the sphere of competition, and that dedication has been recognized and honored with selection to the International University Sports Federation Forum (FISU) from Aug. 12-16 in Budapest, Hungary.

The junior from New Kensington with a double major in sports management and marketing is one of only two student-athletes from the United States to receive the appointment to the biennial event.

The forum is a collaboration of students, officials and others involved in the University Sports Movement connected to FISU member associations. The event is a platform of communication which combines academic sessions with cultural, educational and sporting activities.

?: Kristof Selected To Participate In 2020 FISU Forum

Junior one of 2️⃣ student-athletes to represent United States in August in Budapest, Hungary.

?: https://t.co/esQke9HqSt#ColonialPride | ??‍♀️? | #BobbyRow pic.twitter.com/5SkGDKXtlS

— RMU Rowing (@RMURowing) April 23, 2020

“It’s a huge honor as well as very humbling because of the opportunity to portray our culture in the best way that I can,” Kristof said Thursday in a statement. “With the other attendees, I might be the first person from the United States that they’ve ever met, so it will be great to interact with them and learn their culture, as well.

“Being from a small town, going out of the country is something that I’ve always wanted to do. To have an opportunity like this and make it meaningful is awesome. Studying abroad isn’t always something that a collegiate student-athlete gets the chance to do because of the dedication to our roles in school and with our team, but this is the next best thing.”

Close to 200 student-athletes from more than 60 countries are expected to attend the 15th installment of the FISU Forum that first was held in 1992.

Workshops and seminars are held on each of the forum’s five days, and it also serves as a platform for National University Sports Federations to share and promote projects and programs that they have developed.

“Nicole is a world-class example of everything that makes collegiate athletics and being a student-athlete so special,” RMU rowing coach Nelle Stahura said. “She has embraced the opportunity to compete at a higher level while excelling in the classroom and staying focused on her future career. The ability to balance and excel in all of these areas is what we hope each of our student-athletes is able to learn during their time at Robert Morris.”

Kristof, who holds a 3.98 cumulative grade-point average, earned bronze as a member of the Colonials’ Second Varsity 8 boat at the 2019 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference championships.

A marketing and fan experience intern in the athletic department for the 2019-20 season, Kristoff assisted in social media campaigns, promotional schedules and in-game promotions for various home events.