In the world of sports history, Alexander Juraske stands out as a dedicated chronicler, not just of goals and championships, but of the social and political forces that shape the games we love.As he puts it, “historians are historians and storytellers simultaneously occurring. Your professional mandate is not to let the past rest and to look at the rearview mirror with a scientific look.” Juraske, a historian deeply involved with First Vienna FC, Austria’s oldest soccer club, has spent years delving into the team’s past, revealing uncomfortable truths about its relationship with Austrian society, especially during the nazi era.

His work resonates in the United States, where similar efforts are underway to examine the historical connections between sports and social injustice. From the integration of Jackie Robinson in baseball to Colin Kaepernick’s kneeling protests against racial inequality, American sports have often served as a microcosm of larger societal struggles.

From Roman Republics to Austrian Football: A Historian’s Journey

Juraske’s path to becoming a sports historian was somewhat unconventional.”I mainly turned to antiquity during my studies,” he explains. “I wrote my diploma thesis on the film ‘Spartakus’, and I dedicated my dissertation to the history films that were shot about the Roman Republic. My historical interest in football has a different background.”

That background is deeply personal. His grandfather,Karl Juraske,was the goalkeeper for First Vienna FC in the late 1920s,a period when the team was a dominant force in Austrian soccer. “My grandfather took me as a child on the weekends for the championship games,” Juraske recalls. “So I noticed the mood and the atmosphere of a soccer game as a child.”

A Lifelong Allegiance Forged in Childhood

This childhood exposure cemented Juraske’s lifelong support for First Vienna FC. “Of course, this resulted in a special affinity for the Vienna,” he says. “Consequently, I witnessed all the ups and downs of the club. That shaped me and also strengthened my loyalty to the club.My father was also a glowing Vienna fan. I am sure that he would have disinherited me prematurely if my heart had beaten another club.”

Juraske’s deep connection to the club motivated him to explore its history in detail. His first book, titled “Blau-Gelb is my heart” (“Blue-Yellow is my heart,” the team colors), was a labor of love. “As a historian and fan of the Vienna, it was an installed 911 to research the history of the club and to write a scientifically peculiar book,” he explains. “It represents the growth of the Vienna and the socio -political embedding of the association from its beginnings to the present.The book was published in 2017 and was expanded in 2019.”

Unearthing the Stories of those Erased by History

This initial project spurred Juraske to delve even deeper, resulting in further publications. “At least as a historian, I fed up in the specialty of the history of sport,” he says. his second book, co-authored with Agnes Meisinger and Peter Menasse, focused on Hans Menasse, a national player and striker for Vienna who was driven out of Austria during the Nazi era because his father was Jewish. “his biography is as dramatic and exciting,” Juraske notes.In 2019, he also published “First Vienna FC – Football library,” a collection of fan perspectives on the club.

Juraske has also shone a light on the forgotten story of Otto “Schloime” Fischer, a gifted Jewish player who starred for Vienna before being murdered by the national Socialists in 1941. “Fischer was a gifted dribbler, Austrian international and a star at Vienna,” Juraske explains. “During his active career,he was repeatedly exposed to anti -Semitic attacks as a Jew. Fischer worked as a coach in Eastern Europe after his career and led the Olimpija liepāja association to three championship titles in latvia…I was interested in the life of this formative Viennese footballer, so I wrote a monograph about him. At the end of April there will be a memorial event in Latvia. I will introduce my book there.”

“Blue-Yellow Under the Swastika”: Confronting a Difficult Past

juraske’s most ambitious work to date is “Blue-Yellow Under the Swastika,” a thorough examination of First Vienna FC during the Nazi era. The impetus for the book came in 2011, after a similar study was published about Rapid Vienna, another Austrian soccer club. “I was interested in the fate of the Jewish players and officials of the Vienna, who were excluded during the Nazi era,” Juraske says.”I wanted to investigate the question of how Viennese football changed after 1938 and Vienna still achieved great success. The club won the so-called Gau League or area class three times, in 1942 in the final for the German Football Championship and won the ‘Tschammer Cup’ in 1943.”

The research process was painstaking. “I saw three years of sources for this book, researched Story, searched for photos and wrote manuscripts,” Juraske explains. “You spend many hours in archives and libraries. You have to imagine the work of a historian in a similar way to the excavation work of an archaeologist, only historians ‘dig’ through file mountains in archives. Often tedious, but also vrey exciting.”

The Enduring Power of Sports History

Juraske’s work highlights the importance of examining the past, even when it is uncomfortable. By uncovering the stories of those who were marginalized and persecuted, he provides a more complete and nuanced understanding of Austrian soccer and its place in Austrian society. While some may argue that focusing on historical injustices distracts from the present-day game, Juraske’s research demonstrates that the past continues to shape the present. Understanding the historical context of sports can help us to better understand the social and political issues of our time.

As for future projects, Juraske remains committed to exploring the intersection of sports and history. “I am a freelancer of the football magazine ‘Ballesterer’ and regularly write about historical topics,” he says.”Of course, historical research in the sports area continues to appeal to me. Another research area of mine is the Jewish sports clubs in Austria until 1938. There were about 80 of them. Let’s see. My filler still has enough ink.” Juraske presented his book “Blau-Gelb under the swastika” on May 6, 2025, at the Döblingen district museum in Vienna.

FAQ: Unpacking the History of Sports and Society

Why is it crucial to study the history of sports?

Studying sports history provides insights into broader social, political, and cultural trends. it reveals how sports reflect and influence societal values, inequalities, and power dynamics.

How can sports history help us understand issues like racism and discrimination?

By examining historical instances of racism and discrimination in sports, we can gain a deeper understanding of the systemic nature of these issues and how they continue to manifest today. The exclusion of Jewish players and officials during the Nazi era, as documented by Juraske, is a stark example.

What are some challenges in researching sports history?

Challenges include limited access to archival materials, potential biases in historical accounts, and the need to contextualize events within their specific social and political environments. Juraske’s work highlights the extensive time and effort required to “dig” through archives.

Where can I learn more about the history of First Vienna FC?

Alexander Juraske’s books,including “Blau-gelb is my heart” and “Blue-Yellow Under the Swastika,” offer detailed accounts of the club’s history.Additionally, the First Vienna FC’s official website and fan forums may provide further data.

Are there similar projects in the U.S. focused on sports and social justice?

yes, numerous organizations and academics in the U.S. are dedicated to exploring the intersection of sports and social justice. Examples include the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture, which features exhibits on the history of african Americans in sports, and various university programs that focus on sports sociology and history.