Lithuanian Sports University

Lithuanian Sports University

Lietuvos sporto universitetas
Main campus of Lithuanian Sports University
Former names	Higher Courses of Physical Education (1934–38) State Institute of Physical Education (1945–99) Lithuanian Academy of Physical Education (1999–2012)
Type	Public
Established	1934 (1934)
Rector	Prof. Dr. Habil. Albertas Skurvydas
Academic staff	130
Administrative staff	125
Students	2,000
Location	Kaunas, Lithuania
Campus	Urban
Website	www.lsu.en

Lithuanian Sports University or LSU is a university in Kaunas, Lithuania, specializing in sports, physical activities, and physiology. It is headquartered in Žaliakalnis neighbourhood, in close proximity to the Kaunas Sports Hall and the S. Darius and S. Girėnas Stadium.

LSU traces its origins back to 1934 when the President of Lithuania, Antanas Smetona, established the Higher Courses of Physical Education or HCPE (Lithuanian: Aukštieji kūno kultūros kursai) offering a higher education degree. The HCPE were founded with the idea of combining the subjects of physical exercises and military training so that the graduates would be able to teach these subjects in gymnasiums. In 1938, HCPE were closed and their function was taken over by the Department of Physical Education established at Vytautas Magnus University.

In 1945, the Lithuanian State Institute of Physical Education was founded as an independent institution. It was located in the former palace of Physical Education Base and has got the main stadium with couple of football pitches, sports hall, tennis and basketball courts. In the first year, 100 students were enrolled at the Institute. In 1999, the Institute was renamed the Lithuanian Academy of Physical Education (Lithuanian: Lietuvos kūno kultūros akademija or LKKA) by a resolution of the Parliament of Lithuania (Seimas).

Since its foundation, the University has prepared about 16,000 physical education teachers, a variety of highly qualified sports coaches, physical therapy specialists, tourism and sports managers and etc. Many famous scientists, coaches and the world famous public figures were graduated from the University. Many distinguished scholars, world-known coaches, prominent sports and public figures have graduated from the Academy. A great number of LSU graduates have become champions and prize-winners of the Olympic Games, world and European championships, among them are the twice European boxing champion Algirdas ocikas, the winner of the Olympic gold medal and world basketball champion Modestas Paulauskas, the winners of the Olympic gold medals Voldemaras Chomicius, Rimantas Kurtinaitis, and Virgilijus Alekna.