alma mater

柔道家の鈴木桂治選手が全日本柔道連盟（全柔連）に強化指定選手の辞退届を提出して日本代表を引退することを表明しました。国士舘大学柔道部の監督に就任し、後進の育成をしながらも現役は続けるようです。

Judoka Suzuki ends international career

Athens Olympic gold medalist Keiji Suzuki announced Tuesday he is retiring from international judo to become the head coach of his alma mater, Kokushikan University.
"I had shoulder problems, and I couldn't afford to hold Japanese judo back any more," Suzuki said. "I hope I can help Kokushikan become the best team in Japan, and develop judoka I can be proud of."
The 32-year-old, who won at the 2003 and 2005 world championships in the open and 100 kg classes, respectively, said he still plans to take part in domestic competitions, but made it clear his days of wearing the Hinomaru are over.
The Ibaraki Prefecture native won the gold in the men's over-100 kg at the 2004 Athens Games, but fell at the first hurdle four years later in Beijing.

http://www.japantimes.co.jp/text/sp20120704j1.html#.T_OZHSBhic1

alma materはみなさんご存じのように「母校、出身校」という意味（『ジーニアス英和辞典』、第4版、大修館書店）です。語源はラテン語のalma「愛する」+mater「母」から来ています。LDOCEによると、学校や大学のことを指して言うことが多い単語のようで、主に書き言葉で用いられます。もちろん母校はold schoolと言うことも出来ますが、この表現もあわせて覚えておきたいと思います。(EnDough)