Because students at CC are so active, athletics at all levels are popular. At the varsity level, Division III athletes can choose how seriously to take their sport. Many students seem to dedicate their lives to becoming the best, while others participate only so they can eat and drink more without getting too fat. The point is that students usually play to have fun, and the result is a fun atmosphere with a competitive side for the truly passionate.
Most of the students who participate in varsity sports will tell you that sports are a great distraction from the academic pressures of CC and that their commitment actually helps to improve their grades and provides them with an “automatic” social group. The typical “college jock” is a rare species at CC, and athletes of all levels and abilities are welcome to come out for the teams, although students aren’t guaranteed a spot on the varsity level. CC does have two Division I teams, men's hockey and women's soccer. The former is nationally ranked and invigorates the student body with a hefty amount of school spirit when they play at home.
Club and intramural sports also form a backbone of CC life. Over three-quarters of the students participate in one of these sports. Each IM sport usually has one or two teams who play to win, but most groups are out to have a good laugh and to get a little exercise. In the springtime, the quad is ablaze with intramurals, from softball to ultimate Frisbee. Other IMs, such as ice broomball and inner tube water polo, seem almost as if they were designed more for the benefit of the spectators than for the athletes.
The non-competitive atmosphere is perfect for athletes who want the maximum amount of fun with a minimal amount of commitment. The most popular club sports at CC are women’s hockey and the cycling club. Both teams are fairly competitive, although their funding from the school is minimal. The cycling team is generally thought of as a bunch of crazies, but they always have a great time training and traveling to California and Arizona for their races. Athletic facilities at CC are starting to look a little shabby. Luckily, this is next on the list for renovation, whenever the College finds enough money for another large project.