Courtesy of Camel Athletics
Connecticut College may be a small liberal arts school, but it’s no secret that a large part of campus life revolves around participating in practices, playing games, or attending Camel sporting events. There are 28 intercollegiate athletic teams, most of which participate at the Division III level in the New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC). In fact, 75% of the student body is involved in intramural, club, or varsity athletics according to Connecticut College’s website. So if you’re an incoming first-year student looking to get involved in athletics at Conn, you don’t have to be a varsity athlete to get moving.
For new students fresh on campus in August, you might not be sure exactly what games to watch, where to get some exercise, or how to get involved with sports. If that sounds like it could be you, here is a practical guide to everything athletic at Conn:
Varsity teams to watch
Men’s & Women’s soccer on Freeman Field
Courtesy of Camel Athletics
Some of the best events to watch in the fall happen right in the middle of campus (literally)! The men’s and women’s soccer season happens during the fall semester, and both teams play many of their games on Freeman Field, at the South end of Tempel Green. The men’s team went on a historic run in the 2024 season making it to the final of the NCAA DIII National Championship, only three years after winning the National Championship in 2021. Claiming their first NESCAC title this past season, they went on to finish runner up in the National Championship. This past season, Conn also hosted the NCAA First and Second Round Tournament Matches, drawing hundreds of spectators to line the hillside and watch the games. Make sure to stop by Tempel Green during Fall Weekend in September to catch even more action, food, and live music.
Cross Country at Harkness Park, Track & Field at Silfen Track
Courtesy of Sean Elliot
If you’re looking for an all-day event packed with running, jumping, and throwing, look no further than cross country and track & field. Every year the men’s and women’s teams host two home meets during the academic year. In the fall, the cross country teams host the Connecticut College Invitational at the beautiful Harkness Memorial State Park, located 15 minutes from campus in Waterford with views of the Long Island Sound. This year, the teams will also be hosting the NESCAC Cross Country Championship meet. In the spring, the outdoor track teams host the Silfen Invitational at Silfen Track behind the Athletic Center (AC), inviting dozens of teams from across the country to participate in the two-day meet.
Men’s & Women’s Ice Hockey in Dayton Arena
Courtesy of Camel Athletics
New England weather can get pretty cold, especially when playing winter sports, but the men’s and women’s ice hockey teams will warm you right up. These teams gather in Dayton Arena, located at the AC, during the winter season to shred ice and hit sticks, so make sure to catch one of their games inside “The Camel Dome.”
For a non-varsity experience, don’t miss the annual club hockey matchup against the Coast Guard Academy, which proves to be one of student’s favorite activities every year.
Looking for more? Try sailing and rowing at the Kohn and Archibald Waterfront; lacrosse and field hockey on Silfen Field; squash, volleyball, basketball, swimming/diving, and water polo in Luce Fieldhouse; or tennis at the courts across from Tempel Green.
How to get involved in club sports
Ultimate Frisbee
Courtesy of Sophia Angele-Kuehn ’20
Perhaps the most popular club sport at Conn, you can find two ultimate frisbee teams practicing in the fall. Deimos, the men’s/ non-binary team, and Amaltheia, the women’s/non-binary team, practice during the week on Chapel Green. Sign ups are easy during the fall club fair or through the ConnQuest website, practices are laid back, and no experience is necessary.
Club Baseball
Courtesy of Mike Bowman
While Conn doesn’t have a varsity team, baseball fans can still get involved with the club team. Competing in the New England Club Baseball Association, the crew plays across the East coast against teams like Boston University, Yale University, and the Coast Guard Academy. Come to one practice, or all, and make sure to bring your best ball-knowledge for these stats-obsessed members.
Rugby
Courtesy of @ccmrfc
If contact sports are more your thing, check out the Rugby Football Club. This club may be suitable for students who have no prior rugby experience but like to roll around in mud, or for those who wish Conn had a football team. The men’s/non-binary and women’s/non-binary teams hold practices during the week at Dawley Field near the waterfront, on the lower terrace of Silfen Track.
Staying fit without a team
In and around campus
Students don’t even need teammates to get exercise. For those who want to get fit without the competition, there are plenty of options on and off campus. At the AC, the Higdon Fitness Center (student gym), Lott Natatorium, and Luce Field House Blue Courts are open during the week. Try the rockwall in Luce Field House if you’re feeling adventurous, or the Wood Courts next door for some 1v1 basketball. Off campus, Harkness Memorial State Park offers running and walking trails. Or you can attempt a cold-plunge at Ocean Beach Park in New London. If you’re willing to drive, visit the Airline trail, a gravel cycling path spanning from East Hampton to Williamantic, CT. Don’t forget about Conn’s 750-acre arboretum right on campus for hiking and long walks.
Can’t find anything here you’re interested in? There are more than 80 student-led clubs and organizations, from Student Government Association to acapella groups. If you don’t see an organization you like, you can even start your own. So if you’re new to the camel family this year—or even if you’ve been with us for a while— join a club, or two, or three! Come to the games, practices, and meetings even if you don’t join in. Supporting Camel Athletics is supporting the whole community, and you may even find the team where you feel right at home.
