Ever since the JKU Astros women's basketball team won the ACSL finals in March 2023 with over 2,000 fans in attendance, the fact that Linz can compete with Austrian universities at top sporting levels has become nothing new. Established only in 2022, the JKU's college sports team - the JKU Astros - has now officially entering the American football league since October following a year of training. The co-ed team (open to men and women enrolled at the JKU), will face the TU Robots in Vienna on October 26.

A Family Affair
JKU Astros Offense Captain Moritz Kastner remarked: "The entire team is very excited about the first game and everyone is looking forward to being on the field with their fellow JKU students. There is a strong sense of spirit and friendship within the team and it’s very encouraging!" This game will be particularly special, especially from a family perspective as Moritz’ cousin, Josef Kastner, is the TU Robots’ quarterback. Kastner added: "I actually learned about the ACSL through Josef. The first game I ever saw was a TU Robots game. When the TU came on to the field, I got goosebumps and from that point on, I wanted to play myself. Now we'll find out who studies at the better university!"

JKU Community Support
The strong JKU fan community packed the Kepler Hall to the rafters for the basketball team's preseason game on Oct. 6. The Astros can once again count on plenty of enthusiastic support for the away game as students have organized travel via a ‘fan bus’ at their own expense. In the spring of 2024, the JKU Astros will then have the first of three home games in Linz, facing off with Med Uni, BOKU, and WU Vienna.

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