Facultad Organización Deportiva

Did you ever hear of a school born from a football field? Right here stands the Facultad Organización Deportiva, or FOD, a testament to one man’s vision. Ing. Cayetano E. Garza Garza, a football player at UANL, saw the need for professionals in sports management. Back in the ’70s and ’80s, sports organization in Nuevo León was largely improvised. Often, physical education teachers handled everything from promotion to training. Sometimes, professionals from other fields stepped in, applying their own theories to the world of sports. Even former athletes, both amateur and professional, were tasked with leading sports initiatives. Garza Garza realized that sports needed dedicated professionals. With the support of Rector Dr. Luis E. Todd, his idea for a dedicated sports organization school took root. On August 7, 1974, the university council approved the program. The FOD opened its doors in September 1974 with 104 students and 11 teachers. Classes were held in a makeshift classroom on the tenth floor of the Rectoría Tower. The curriculum was designed to produce graduates ready to manage sports clubs, municipal and state sports departments, and even national programs. The first curriculum included courses in technical, medical, administrative, and social areas. It prepared students for diverse roles, from teaching and coaching to sports journalism and athlete representation. The FOD, initially a school, officially became a faculty on December 8, 1983. In 1991, it expanded further with the creation of a Master’s program in Exercise Science. The original program, focused on sports organization, evolved into a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science in 1999. The FOD has continued to grow and adapt. In 2003, a new building was inaugurated on the southeast side of the campus. The old building and the Gimnasio Gemelos, the FOD’s home since 1977, were demolished in 2006 and 2007. The current FOD building, a modern facility befitting its legacy, was inaugurated in 2010. The FOD celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2024, a testament to Garza Garza’s enduring vision.