Humans of ToU: Marcel Engelhardt on Bringing Sustainability Into the World of Sports

🎓 MBA in Sustainability, Innovation & Leadership, Class of 2025

📍 Kiel, Germany

🌱 SDGs: 5 – Gender Equality, 12 – Responsible Consumption, 17 – Partnerships for the Goals

💼 Professional Footballer | Sustainability Advocate | MBA Learner

A Career on the Field and a Vision Beyond

Marcel Engelhardt has made his mark as a professional footballer, with a career spanning clubs from Eintracht Braunschweig and FSV Zwickau in Germany to Maritzburg United in South Africa. Known for his dedication as a goalkeeper, Marcel has played at a high level across leagues, most recently with Holstein Kiel, where he continues to pursue his passion for sports. But Marcel’s aspirations go beyond the pitch; he’s eager to apply his drive and discipline to create a positive impact off the field.

Inspired by the opportunity to address broader social and environmental issues, Marcel chose to expand his horizons with an Impact MBA in Sustainability, Innovation, and Leadership at Tomorrow University. He hopes to harness the skills and knowledge he gains to bring sustainable practices into sports and beyond.

Choosing Tomorrow University: Bridging Sports and Sustainability

Marcel’s decision to join the Impact MBA was fueled by his commitment to learning forward-thinking business practices and building a foundation for impactful work. “This program is teaching me the skills of the 21st century,” Marcel shares, adding that he is particularly excited about the focus on innovation and sustainability. The flexibility of the MBA allows him to continue his athletic career while preparing for a meaningful transition when he steps off the field. Marcel values the community and the global network of change-makers he’s connecting with, knowing these relationships will be instrumental in making a lasting impact.

A Mission to Integrate Sustainability in Sports

Marcel envisions using his MBA to pioneer sustainable practices within the sports industry. He is especially passionate about exploring ways that professional sports organizations can reduce their environmental footprint and promote a culture of sustainability among fans and athletes alike. Marcel’s background in sports has instilled in him the importance of teamwork, resilience, and leadership—qualities he now hopes to apply to sustainability initiatives that benefit society at large.

By bridging his athletic experience with new skills in business and sustainability, Marcel aims to become an advocate for change within sports and beyond, demonstrating how athletes can lead by example in adopting sustainable practices.

Advice to Aspiring Athletes and Changemakers: Expand Your Focus Beyond the Field

Marcel’s message to athletes considering career transitions is clear:

“Think beyond your sport.”

He encourages them to seek knowledge and skills that can make an impact off the field, emphasizing that professional athletes have unique platforms to influence and inspire others. At Tomorrow University, he is gaining both the network and the practical tools needed to make this vision a reality, and he believes that anyone with drive and an open mind can do the same.

Want to accompany Marcel on his journey? Follow him on LinkedIn

👉🏻 Marcel at a Glance:

• Career: Professional footballer with experience in Germany and South Africa, currently with Holstein Kiel.
• Why Tomorrow University: Chose Tomorrow University to gain sustainable business skills for life beyond sports.
• Mission: Integrate sustainability within the sports industry and inspire athletes to adopt sustainable practices.
• Advice: “Think beyond your sport—seek skills that enable you to make a lasting impact.”