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A 22-member delegation, responsible for all sports in mainland China, visited the Mercy College Dobbs Ferry campus in late October. The mission of the delegation, a group of representatives from the General Administration of Sport of China, was to learn more about college athletics and sport studies in the United States, and to observe Mercy’s teams in action.

The delegates, which were composed of university professors, research fellows and talented personnel from a range of educational and research institutes throughout China, were greeted by Mercy President Tim Hall, along with several deans and members of the college administration and sport management and exercise science faculty.

Dr. David Kilpatrick, professor of English literature and sport management, and director of the Sport Management program, escorted the delegation around campus. “They were interested in learning about trends in U.S. sports, and were eager to know more about player development and tracking performance analysis,” said Kilpatrick.

Members of the Mercy faculty and administration conducted several presentations, and delegates asked many engaging questions. The presentations included talks by Kilpatrick and Dr. Astrid Mel, director of exercise science, on topics such as preparing global sport leaders, trends in United States sports, the exercise science program at Mercy College and other matters relating to athletics around the world. A panel discussion titled, “Managing an NCAA Program,” featured Mercy Athletics Director Matt Kilcullen, along with several members of the sport management and exercise science faculty as panelists.

Throughout the two-day visit, delegates also met with members and coaches of the men’s and women’s soccer teams, along with field hockey, basketball, lacrosse and softball teams, and observed numerous team practices. The visit culminated with the delegates attending a women’s field hockey match that pitted the Mercy College Mavericks against the Bentley University Falcons.