⚽️ 🌍️ As the world comes together around the beautiful game, we're celebrating the leaders using fútbol to change lives far beyond the final score.
For CSPS alum Kiraz Ocal, fútbol is more than a game—it is a powerful platform for connection, inclusion, and social change.
As an Industrial Psychologist and co-founder of Kızlar Sahada (Women on the Field), Kiraz has spent more than 15 years advancing gender equality, sustainability, and community impact through sport.
Today, we're proud to spotlight a leader who is harnessing the power of fútbol to create opportunities, strengthen communities, and inspire the next generation.
As Türkiye takes the pitch, we're cheering them on from across the CSPS network and alumni community around the world. 🇹🇷 ✨️
Because the true power of fútbol isn't just found in the final score—it's found in the people using the game to build a better future.
The Center for Sport, Peace, & Society
Contact information, map and directions, contact form, opening hours, services, ratings, photos, videos and announcements from The Center for Sport, Peace, & Society, Education, 1122 Knoxville Avenue, Knoxville, TN.
Our philosophy at the center is simple: We want to expose, equip, empower, and entrust students and community members with the knowledge and tools necessary to make a positive difference in the lives of others through sport. The Center for Sport, Peace, and Society combines the tradition of academic excellence associated with the University of Tennessee and its commitment to quality research with twenty-five years of international sports exchange experience.
⚽️ Fútbol is more than a game. It's one of the world's most powerful tools for connection.
Across cultures, borders, and generations, the beautiful game creates belonging, builds confidence, and opens doors to opportunity. 💪
Throughout our global network of sporty changemakers in 101+ countries, many are using soccer to strengthen communities, advance inclusion for people with disabilities, and create lasting social impact.🌍️
As we celebrate the World Cup, we're reminded that the game's greatest power isn't found in trophies or final scores, it's found in the coaches, mentors, athletes, and leaders using sport to change lives every day. 🏆️
The World Cup may crown a champion. Fútbol continues to unite the world. 🫸 💥 🫷
06/09/2026
It's time for a BONUS ROUND in our LinkedIn series, featuring an intern-written article that highlights the work, vision, and impact of GSMP alumni around the world.
📝 🌟
✍ Written by: Julia Kaufman and Kaetlyn Davis
🌍 Featuring: Petar Ilev, North Macedonia
Each story offers a powerful look at how sport is driving connection, leadership, and positive change across communities. 🤝 Follow along each week as we amplify these voices and celebrate the global impact of the GSMP network. 💡
https://www.linkedin.com/company/center-for-sport-peace-society/
06/04/2026
🌍✨ Sport. Connection. Impact.
Through creating social media content for CSPS, I saw firsthand how powerful sport can be in bringing people together. When passion meets purpose, communities grow stronger. Across the world, people are searching for connection and programs like GSMP show that sport can bridge cultures, ideas, and lived experiences. 🏃♀️🤝
This is sports diplomacy in action. It goes far beyond a single program. I had the chance to highlight stories like Yolanda Cori 🇧🇴 and Jorge Beltran 🇵🇪, who partnered across borders to connect their communities through sport. And to see CSPS leaders take the stage at DECIDIDAS Summit & Festival 2026, advancing conversations on women’s leadership and economic change through sport and culture. 💬🌟
These moments show that sport has the power to transcend barriers, build relationships, and create lasting change.
Personally, this experience deepened my cultural understanding and showed me how much we share as people. No matter where we come from, sport helps us tell our stories and connect in meaningful ways. I saw this in conversations with Agnes Baluka 🇺🇬, whose work is strengthening sport policy at Busoga University, and Nemesia Hijos 🇦🇷, who is using research to shape more equitable systems through sport. 📚⚽
At the heart of it all, we are united by our goals, our stories, and a shared belief in sport as a force for good.
Grateful for this experience with CSPS. The work continues. 💡
06/04/2026
TODAY IS THE DAY
This session is designed for students, faculty, and practitioners - and we cannot wait to see you all there! Check out the details in the post below!
📅 Thursday, June 4th
⏰️ 2:00 PM EST / 11:00 AM PT
💻️ Virtual | 1-hour “lunch & learn”
Register here: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/MEpZwSOQS0WfMybT6Aj3bw #/registration
06/03/2026
TOMORROW is Road to LA28: How Educators Can Create Inclusive Spaces and Advance Adaptive Sport!
This session is designed for students, faculty, and practitioners - and we cannot wait to see you all there! Check out the details in the post below!
📅 Thursday, June 4th
⏰️ 2:00 PM EST / 11:00 AM PT
💻️ Virtual | 1-hour “lunch & learn”
Register here: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/MEpZwSOQS0WfMybT6Aj3bw #/registration
06/02/2026
Week 5 and the final article of our LinkedIn series, featuring an intern-written article each week that highlights the work, vision, and impact of GSMP alumni around the world.
📝 🌟
✍ Written by: Callie Casulla
🌍 Featuring: Dr. Nemesia Hijós, Argentina
Each story offers a powerful look at how sport is driving connection, leadership, and positive change across communities. 🤝 Be sure to check out our LinkedIn page for more articles we have shared to amplify these voices and celebrate the global impact of the GSMP network. 💡 https://www.linkedin.com/company/center-for-sport-peace-society
06/02/2026
Just TWO days until Road to LA28: How Educators Can Create Inclusive Spaces and Advance Adaptive Sport
This session is designed for students, faculty, and practitioners - and we cannot wait to see you all there! Check out the details in the post below!
📅 Thursday, June 4th
⏰️ 2:00 PM EST / 11:00 AM PT
💻️ Virtual | 1-hour “lunch & learn”
Register here: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/MEpZwSOQS0WfMybT6Aj3bw #/registration
06/01/2026
There's still time to register and join us this week!
We’re STILL on the road to LA28! The University of Tennessee Center for Sport, Peace, and Society is hosting a virtual conversation to discuss and highlight WHAT is Paralympic Literacy and HOW is education is THE site to enable and strengthen this literacy across students, teachers, practitioners, and more!
This session is designed for students, faculty, and practitioners - and we cannot wait to see you all there! Check out the details in the post below!
📅 Thursday, June 4th
⏰️ 2:00 PM EST / 11:00 AM PT
💻️ Virtual | 1-hour “lunch & learn”
REGISTER HERE: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/MEpZwSOQS0WfMybT6Aj3bw #/registration
05/28/2026
Working with the University of Tennessee Center for Sport, Peace, and Society has completely changed how I see sport. ⚽🌍
It’s so much more than competition. It’s connection, culture, and real impact on a global scale.
Through writing social media posts and LinkedIn stories, I’ve had the chance to learn from communities around the world. 🌎 Each one using sport in powerful ways—from expanding access for women and girls, to strengthening communities, to opening doors for the next generation. 💪✨
What stands out most is the power of sport diplomacy. 🤝
Different backgrounds. Different experiences. One shared language.
I’ve been incredibly inspired by CSPS alumni and the meaningful change they’re creating every day. Their work is a reminder of what’s possible when passion meets purpose. ❤️
Grateful to be part of something bigger. 🙌🌍✨ - Natalia Román
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1122 Knoxville Avenue
Knoxville, TN
37996