Grinnell College - AthleticsCollege Prowler2.69

Athletics:

C+

(explain this grade)

Comparable Schools'
Athletics Grades:

Quick Stats

Athletic Division

NCAA Division III

Conference

Midwest Conference

School Colors

Red and black

School Mascot

Pioneers

Men Playing Varsity Sports

207 - 30 %

Women Playing Varsity Sports

156 - 23 %

College Prowler Take

Aside from basketball, athletics aren’t a big deal at Grinnell. Few students show up to games unless you're friends with someone on the team. Teams try to advertise sporting events as much as possible, but some students would be hard-pressed to tell you where the outdoor track is. The fact that Grinnell is lacking in the stadium department doesn’t help. However, even with the athletic policy that anyone can play anything without getting cut, all teams are not utterly horrible. They practice hard and play hard. Still, there’s no denying that most place athletics on the back burner to make room for studying and partying, two things that are essential in making up the Grinnell experience.

The big exception to the lax athletic program at Grinnell is the men’s basketball team. The coach has successfully implemented aggressive playing strategies that have led to high-scoring games and consistent victories for the Pioneers. Students love going to games, most commonly with a liberal dose of alcohol in their system. The atmosphere is totally insane! Suddenly, mild-mannered economics majors become a part of a belligerent, jeering crowd. Grinnell students heckle the opposing team to the point that other schools shudder at the thought of having an away game. If you decide to go to the games, here are a few words of advice: Be sure to wear red.

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Students Speak Out

Love your school more than free food? Hate your school more than term papers?
Somewhere in between? Show the world what YOU think of YOUR school:

Anonymous says:

Sports are much bigger than one...

Sports are much bigger than one might expect; college wouldn’t be the same without a select few dumb jocks.

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Anonymous says:

Grinnell is Division III, so...

Grinnell is Division III, so varsity sports are not that competitive. Grinnell tends to have an unwritten ‘no-cut’ policy, which means that anyone who is willing to put in the work and effort to be on the team (and isn’t a complete novice) is welcome to participate. This doesn’t mean one will play in a game, but it’s a great way to stay healthy and meet more people. IM sports are not as big yet, but they are growing in popularity.

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Anonymous says:

Varsity sports? We have varsity...

Varsity sports? We have varsity sports? The people attending the games are the players and/or whoever the players cajoled into going to watch. The College is fiscally supportive and has a number of good teams, but save for basketball, no one gets too competitive. Intramural sports are huge, though; ultimate Frisbee and basketball are two Grinnell favorites.

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Anonymous says:

Athletics here are not for the...

Athletics here are not for the extremely competitive. This is not the University of Iowa, people!

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Anonymous says:

People on the sports teams here...

People on the sports teams here think they’re better than everyone else, but I don’t think anyone else cares.

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Interested in
Grinnell College?

Facts

Men's Varsity Sports

  • Baseball
  • Basketball
  • Cross country
  • Football
  • Golf
  • Soccer
  • Swimming and diving
  • Tennis
  • Track and field

Women's Varsity Sports

  • Basketball
  • Cross country
  • Golf
  • Soccer
  • Softball
  • Swimming and diving
  • Tennis
  • Track and field
  • Volleyball

Club Sports

  • Aikido
  • Alpine skiing
  • Baseball
  • Belly dancing
  • Billiards
  • Bowling
  • Dance team
  • Field hockey
  • Hacky sack
  • Kickball
  • Mountaineering
  • Nordic skiing
  • Ping-pong
  • Rugby
  • Soccer
  • Softball
  • Swimming
  • Ultimate Frisbee
  • Volleyball
  • Wes Ball
  • Wrestling

Athletic Fields

  • Athletic and Fitness Center
  • Athletic and Fitness Center
  • Les Duke Track
  • Obermiller Pool
  • Physical Education Complex (PEC)
  • Tennis Courts
  • The Physical Education Complex

School Spirit

School spirit at Grinnell isn’t a very visible phenomenon. You won’t find any cheerleading or pep squads here. There are no Grinnell College parades, and the sports teams are a peripheral anomaly regarding campus life. If you ask a Grinnellian about some aspects of the college, such as dining or diversity, they’re liable to give you a pretty negative response, and sometimes all that complaining can give people the wrong idea. But, if you ask a Grinnellian whether or not they like it here, almost all of them will tell you how much they adore their school. Make no mistake about it, the students who go here are Grinnellians for life, and they wouldn’t have it any other way.

Getting Tickets

All sports events are free and open to everyone.

Most Popular Sports

Men’s basketball and ultimate Frisbee

Most Overlooked Teams

Men’s and women’s track & field

Best Place to Take a Walk

Railroad tracks, downtown, and the Grinnell Area Recreation Trail

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