A festive atmosphere, enthusiastic applause, encouragement from families, and team spirit: on July 15, 2026, USJ celebrated its champions at Auditorium C of the Medical Sciences Campus (CSM). A total of 52 athletes and 3 coaches were honored during an evening filled with award presentations, tributes, and emotional moments. For one evening, cheers, laughter, and applause gave CSM a festive atmosphere.

Opening the ceremony, Mr. Maroun Khoury, Athletics Director, praised “champions in times of peace, but also champions in times of war,” highlighting the resilience and commitment of students who, despite the challenges, continue to enhance USJ’s reputation in Lebanon and internationally.

Taking the floor, Prof. François Boëdec, SJ, Rector of USJ, shared that he was experiencing “one of the most beautiful evenings” of his mandate, praising athletes who embody a “dynamic, vibrant” university capable of combining academic and athletic excellence. The evening was also marked by the presentation to the Rector of a jersey bearing the number 24, in tribute to his election as the University’s 24^th Rector, a gesture greeted with a warm ovation.

Throughout the evening, each name announced was greeted with applause and encouragement from loved ones who had come to celebrate the students’ achievements. In total, 32 athletes were recognized for their university-level performances, 14 others for their achievements at the national and international levels, while six special awards were presented by the Sports Office. The distinctions highlighted talents from a wide range of disciplines, from basketball and football to taekwondo, swimming, athletics, chess, and cheerleading.

USJ also paid tribute to three emblematic coaches, Alice Keyrouz, Georges Farah, and Alexandra Sawaya, as well as Dr. Pierre Lahoud, a historic figure in university sports, whose legacy will live on through the creation of the Pierre Lahoud Trophy and an annual handball tournament bearing his name.

“Long live university sports. Long live USJ. And long live Lebanon,” concluded Mr. Maroun Khoury, before inviting participants to continue the celebrations over a cocktail in the gardens of the Medical Sciences Campus. And as the applause continued to echo through the CSM gardens, one thing remained certain: the future of sports at USJ had never looked so promising.

Also read: Une soirée, des champions, une seule équipe : l'USJ