European Association for the Sociology of Sport – Polish Contributions. Reminiscences and Methodological Reflections

The article reflects on the origins, development, and scientific condition of the European Association for the Sociology of Sport (EASS) over the first quarter of the 21st century (2001–2025), with particular emphasis on significant Polish contributions to the Association’s activities. The starting point is the 21st EASS Conference held in Warsaw, which inspired a reminiscence-based analysis of the institutionalization of sport sociology in Europe. The author reconstructs the founding circumstances of EASS, highlighting the role of the Warsaw University of Physical Education and the personal involvement in shaping the theoretical and organizational foundations of the Association.

The paper also discusses the structure and international character of EASS, the importance of its annual scientific conferences, and the role of the European Journal for Sport and Society as a major platform for disseminating research in the social sciences of sport. The second part of the article addresses universal methodological issues in scientific research, focusing on the role of hypotheses, the relationship between general and specific methodologies, and the importance of epistemic rigor. The discussion is complemented by a reflection on hermeneutic aspects of scholarly inquiry, pointing to their potential applicability in social research on sport. The article combines documentary, methodological, and reflective perspectives, contributing to broader debates on the social role of sport and sport sciences.