by InTrieste
Julio Velasco, one of the most influential figures in international sports over the past several decades, received an honorary master’s degree in Psychology from the University of Trieste on May 13. The recognition marks the first time an Italian university has conferred such an honor on the veteran coach, widely known in Italy as “Il Maestro.”
Velasco, currently head coach of Italy’s women’s national volleyball team—which clinched gold at the 2024 Paris Olympics—was honored for his innovative approach to leadership, motivation, and the development of human potential in sports. The academic distinction was proposed by the University’s Department of Life Sciences, home to a Sports Psychology Laboratory established 25 years ago.
The ceremony took place in a packed Aula Magna, drawing members of national sports federations, associations, and university staff—an indication of Velasco’s wide-reaching influence not only in athletics, but also in culture and education.
In a statement read by Professor Ivan Donati, director of the Department of Life Sciences, Velasco was praised for integrating psychological principles into team management and performance culture, promoting a model of leadership that emphasizes ethical, sustainable, and conscious achievement. His ideas, the university noted, have extended well beyond the volleyball court, offering inspiration in fields such as business, education, and executive training.
Velasco’s career spans continents and generations. As recounted in a laudatory address by Professor Tiziano Agostini, director of the Sports Psychology Laboratory, Velasco began his coaching journey in Argentina during the years following military rule. After moving to Italy, he led the men’s national team—often referred to as the “Generation of Phenoms”—to global victories. His résumé includes Olympic gold and silver medals, two World Championships, five World League titles, and multiple continental triumphs across Europe, Asia, and the Americas.
Speaking directly to psychology students in the audience, Velasco offered words of advice grounded in experience: “My hope for you is not only to successfully complete your academic journey, but to live out what you’ve studied. The real challenges begin after university. That’s where true strength is needed.”
University Rector Roberto Di Lenarda closed the event by highlighting Velasco’s “extraordinary stature,” describing him as a figure who unites discipline, vision, and human empathy. “His thinking and example have reached far beyond the sports world,” said Di Lenarda, “touching the lives of fans, educators, managers, students, and citizens alike, and enriching the culture of leadership and performance.”
