45 years ago, on September 26, 1974, an order was signed "on the organization of the branch of the Volgograd state Institute of physical culture in the city of Kazan of the Tatar ASSR". Under this order, 120 students began their studies on 1 September 1975. Later, the University moved to Naberezhnye Chelny, where it gained an independent status, and then returned to Kazan as part of the unique scale of the Universiade 2013 heritage program. Today in the Volga region Academy of sports work teachers who themselves in the past were its students. They passed together with Alma mater a difficult way from modest branch of Institute of physical culture to the largest branch higher education institution of the country. We asked them to share their memories of the time when the Foundation of the Academy was laid.
Yuri Boltikov, Professor, head of the Department of theory and methods of martial arts:
- In 1982 I entered the Institute, in 1988 I graduated and immediately began to teach. Student years were remembered, we had a friendly group about which teachers many years after the termination with warmth remembered. I remember, we immediately after entering the whole group went to Astrakhan, two months loaded tomatoes on a barge. The sun, water, tanned, became friends... we Trained in the recreation center "Chemists", and after training went down and helped build a sports complex"Batyr". I recall the training in Greco-Roman wrestling of Hafiz Timashev Sikulova, which lasted 3.5 - 4 hours. We ran from the Institute to Lebyazhye, trained there, returned, and after a short rest, the training continued on the carpet for another hour and a half. Now I tell students. Have many eyes on 7 kopecks. Then we moved to Naberezhnye Chelny. I remember we were promised a great future, new sports arenas. However, an administrative building was an old school No. 2. But we really studied and trained in new sports facilities. In the 80s, I will tell you, Kazan was gloomy and dark, and Naberezhnye Chelny was a new, young city with modern architecture and wide illuminated streets. So, the memories are nostalgic.
Firuza Zotova, Professor, Vice-rector for research and international Affairs:
- I entered the Institute of physical education in 1978, when it was still based in Kazan. About those times remained the most good the impression. It was easier than it is now. But we, the young it does not matter which party you sit. We loved it. The first vivid memory - the subject of speed skating! Classes were held at the Central stadium, where they flooded the treadmills. I remember that the ice was perfectly smooth, the weather is always Sunny, but not too cold, beautiful music sounded, the teacher was kind, friendly – allowed to go under the stands to warm up if frozen. And most importantly, I still feel the thrill when you finally got to run on ice skating with long blades, performing these long, beautiful and very complex movements on bends. And what we had trips to Yal'chik all course! I remember in the morning found that the products remained only semolina and sugar. Cooked porridge on the water – I never tasted better in my life! I returned to the University in 1989 as a teacher. It was a wonderful time when the distance between people was shorter. We treated the students like our children. And within the teaching staff were very warm relationships. I remember everyone knew that the head of the Department of gymnastics Nikolai Panteleevich Moiseev always has fat. Sometimes you get hungry, you go to him and ask: "Nikolai Panteleevich, treat..."And he'll make you a sandwich. It is specifically for us it's fat and salted bought molasses bread…
Igor Konovalov, associate Professor, head of the Department of theory and methodology of volleyball and basketball:
- I moved to Naberezhnye Chelny from Uzbekistan in 1995. I was invited to work at the Institute of physical education in a rapidly developing city: I agreed without hesitation. Met in a family - the head of the Department of athletics Alexander Antonovich Chernyaev and rector George V. Tsyganov. The conversation was very warm, the rector supported me and said that he was very glad to see me. The city and the University were, we can say, created for each other. A lot of young, married people with children. The theme of sports was very popular, graduates are in demand. Whatever you say, in Naberezhnye Chelny, the scale of the University was much more modest. But there is a plus: everything is close, from what it seems, and relations were closer. Then at all much was otherwise. Tell the students today, they won't believe it, but I remember kneading concrete with my students, preparing the sector for the shot put. We were young, enthusiastic and optimistic. And today memories of that time at me the brightest.
Azat Akhatov, Professor, Honored coach of Russia:  
- In 1980, as a young specialist, I was hired at the Kazan branch of the Institute of physical education. Three years later I went to work in a sports school, and in 1986 returned to the position of senior teacher and together with the Institute moved to Chelny. There he defended himself, became a Professor, honored coach of Tatarstan and Russia. What is especially important for me, the title of honored was awarded to me by the last order signed by Vyacheslav Fetisov as the head of the Federal Agency for physical culture, sports and tourism. I respect this man immensely. For me those years are the best in my career! We trained in the gym of the house-building plant. We had eight carpets, next to the gym, swimming pool 200 meters away. Conditions for classes at the time-gorgeous! All this allowed me to take place as a coach.
Alexander Chernyaev, Professor, head of sports Department:
- About that time I have only the brightest memories. I came to Kazan to work in 1977 from Volgograd. I loved what I was doing. So, he put all his strength and soul into it. Two years later he became a senior teacher, began to study science, worked, almost all positions, headed the Department, became a Professor, coached teams, took them to the competition. We moved to Naberezhnye Chelny, because in Kazan the University did not have the appropriate material base. And in Avtograd at that time sports arenas, pools were under construction... the brightest impression of those years is, of course, friendly collective, departures on the nature. We even on winter fishing whole buses traveled! We already took an active part in large-scale sports events. In 1980, a group of 15 athletes headed by the head of the Department Vyacheslav Chervyakov, a well-known Director of mass events at that time, went to Moscow for the opening of the Olympics. He was one of the authors of what is now said to be the opening ceremony of the Games. Our students-gymnasts were also involved in its production.