With choices including 30 varsity intercollegiate teams, as well as athletic clubs and intramural leagues, students are never at a loss for athletic opportunities at Bates.

Participation

One third of Bates students are varsity athletes and compete on one or more of the 30 varsity intercollegiate teams. About 60 percent of students play for their dorm or house team in one of the many intramural sports offered.

Fields and facilities

Merrill Gymnasium, the hub of Bates Athletics, houses a 200-meter track; an eight-lane swimming pool, four tennis court, two racquetball courts, dance studios, and a variety of cardiovascular fitness equipment. Alumni Gymnasium contains facilities for basketball and volleyball.

There are playing fields for football, soccer, track, softball, and baseball, field hockey, and lacrosse. The Bates Squash Center features five international-sized courts. The Underhill Arena houses the ice rink and the Davis Fitness Center. Next to Underhill Arena is the Wallach Tennis Center.

After commencement

The Friends of Bates Athletics includes alumni, parents, and friends who have an interest in athletics at Bates. Through financial contributions, the Friends of Bates Athletics strengthens the budgets of the athletic teams, helping them to become as competitive as possible.

Next: Residential life

Sports news

• Women's basketball opens with big win over Lyons November 20, 2009
  Seniors Lauren Yanofsky and Kellie Goodridge spurred the Bates women’s basketball team to a decisive 74-51 win over Mount Holyoke Friday night in the first round of the Brandeis Basketball Classic.
• Men's squash hosts No. 1 Trinity for the first time on Sunday November 20, 2009
  The rock stars of the collegiate squash world, the Trinity College men’s team, makes its first visit to Bates College this Sunday at 11 a.m.
• Twenty-two Bates student-athletes named NESCAC Fall All-Academic November 20, 2009
  Twenty-two student-athletes from Bates College were named Fall 2009 All-Academic selections by the New England Small College Athletic Conference, announced on Friday.
• Winter season begins in earnest this weekend, home and away November 20, 2009
  The winter athletic season begins quickly this weekend, with both basketball teams playing at tournaments on the road and both a swim meet and a unique squash match taking place in Lewiston.
• Wirth named to Division II/III All-New England football team November 19, 2009
  Bates senior tight end Sean Wirth was named Thursday to the New England Football Writers’ Division II/III All-New England Team.
• Eight Bobcats named to NESCAC Fall All-Sportsmanship Team November 19, 2009
  Eight Bates students were named to the 2009 NESCAC Fall All-Sportsmanship Team, announced Thursday by the New England Small College Athletic Conference.
• McAllister, Wirth, Beaton receive All-NESCAC recognition November 18, 2009
  Three seniors on the Bates football team were awarded spots on the 2009 NESCAC Football All-Conference teams, announced on Wednesday.

• More sports news