Does Harvard have varsity sports teams?
I'm a junior in high school and I'm really into sports, especially soccer and swimming. I'm starting to put together my college list, and Harvard is one of my dream schools academically, but I don't know much about what their athletic programs are like.
Are there varsity sports teams at Harvard, and if so, which ones? I'm curious about both men's and women's teams. Also, do people actually go to watch the games, or is it not a big thing there? Any info from current students or other applicants would be awesome!
Are there varsity sports teams at Harvard, and if so, which ones? I'm curious about both men's and women's teams. Also, do people actually go to watch the games, or is it not a big thing there? Any info from current students or other applicants would be awesome!
6 months ago
•
129 views
Luis Nario-Malberg
• 6 months ago
Advisor
Yes, Harvard definitely has varsity sports teams, and athletics play a significant role on campus for many students.
Harvard is a member of the Ivy League and competes in NCAA Division I for most sports. Both men’s and women’s teams are offered, including soccer and swimming, which you mentioned are your interests. For men, there are 18 varsity teams, covering everything from football and soccer to fencing, squash, and swimming & diving. The women’s program is also robust, with 20 varsity teams including soccer, swimming & diving, volleyball, lacrosse, and more. That gives you plenty of opportunities to continue participating in sports at a high level, either as a recruited athlete or by walking on (sometimes possible depending on the sport and your abilities).
Student support at games varies by sport. The biggest crowds usually turn out for traditional rivalry matchups—like the famous Harvard-Yale football game (also called ‘The Game’), which is a major annual event where thousands of students and alumni come together. Out of the regular season, attendance is lower than at schools with powerhouse sports programs, but there’s still a solid turnout for many home games, and athletes are definitely a visible, valued part of the community. For sports like soccer and swimming, your teammates and friends may form a solid cheering section, though you won’t generally see sold-out stadiums unless it’s a particularly big game.
Several Harvard athletes also balance their sports with demanding coursework, creating a strong community among scholar-athletes. For example, former Olympian and Harvard swimmer Katie Ledecky has spoken about how both academics and athletics shaped her college experience.
If you’re considering applying as a recruited athlete, reach out to coaches directly, ideally with highlight videos, stats, and academic information. Also, Harvard has club and intramural teams if you want to stay active but not compete at the varsity level.
So in short: Harvard has a wide range of varsity teams (including men’s/women’s soccer and swimming), and while not a "sports powerhouse" like some big state schools, being an athlete is a prominent, respected part of the student experience.
Harvard is a member of the Ivy League and competes in NCAA Division I for most sports. Both men’s and women’s teams are offered, including soccer and swimming, which you mentioned are your interests. For men, there are 18 varsity teams, covering everything from football and soccer to fencing, squash, and swimming & diving. The women’s program is also robust, with 20 varsity teams including soccer, swimming & diving, volleyball, lacrosse, and more. That gives you plenty of opportunities to continue participating in sports at a high level, either as a recruited athlete or by walking on (sometimes possible depending on the sport and your abilities).
Student support at games varies by sport. The biggest crowds usually turn out for traditional rivalry matchups—like the famous Harvard-Yale football game (also called ‘The Game’), which is a major annual event where thousands of students and alumni come together. Out of the regular season, attendance is lower than at schools with powerhouse sports programs, but there’s still a solid turnout for many home games, and athletes are definitely a visible, valued part of the community. For sports like soccer and swimming, your teammates and friends may form a solid cheering section, though you won’t generally see sold-out stadiums unless it’s a particularly big game.
Several Harvard athletes also balance their sports with demanding coursework, creating a strong community among scholar-athletes. For example, former Olympian and Harvard swimmer Katie Ledecky has spoken about how both academics and athletics shaped her college experience.
If you’re considering applying as a recruited athlete, reach out to coaches directly, ideally with highlight videos, stats, and academic information. Also, Harvard has club and intramural teams if you want to stay active but not compete at the varsity level.
So in short: Harvard has a wide range of varsity teams (including men’s/women’s soccer and swimming), and while not a "sports powerhouse" like some big state schools, being an athlete is a prominent, respected part of the student experience.
Luis Nario-Malberg
Mooresville, North Carolina
Harvard College, Class of 2018, A.B. in Philosophy
Experience
5 years