Princeton University
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Princeton University - Athletics - Athletics - College ProwlerCollege Prowler3.46

Athletics

Quick Stats

Athletic Association
  • NAA
  • NCAA
Athletic Division NCAA Division I-AA
Athletic Conferences Football: Ivy Group
Basketball: Ivy Group
School Nickname Tiger
Men Playing Varsity Sports 588 - 23%
Women Playing Varsity Sports 374 - 15%

Student Author OverviewWhat's This?

Athletics—varsity, club, and intramural—play an important role on campus. At some point in their Princeton career, most students will have some exposure to campus athletics, whether it is attending a game of the title-winning men’s lacrosse team at the Class of 1952 Stadium or participating in a yoga class at Dillon Gym. For students who are not up to varsity level, there are plenty of opportunities to participate on a team whether it is on one of the spirited IM teams or one of the University’s 34 club teams. Scenic features such as the wooded towpath and Lake Carnegie also encourage students to take a break from their work and go jogging along one of the University’s trails.

For a small Ivy League school, Princeton exhibits an athletic prowess that’s almost surprising. Unable to offer athletic scholarships, the University draws athletes who come to Princeton not only because of some of the award-winning athletic teams but also because of the top-notch academics. The Ivy League provides a fantastic rivalry and gives Princeton students another venue for bragging about their abilities on and off the field.

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Princeton Student ReviewsWhat's This?

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Athletics at Princeton University

IjeomaJaykay

Psychology & Counseling '15

3.5
B

It's Okay.

I am not really involved in the athletics at Princeton. However, we have dedicated teams and coaches and the university is also very spirited and supported of groups, from football to the squash team.

May 21, 2012

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Athletics at Princeton University

bbkarate

Aerospace Engineering '15

3.8
B+

Great Participation

Princeton may not have the best sports teams in Divison I, but over half of the student population is involved in one sport or another. The student body is very supportive of the various teams and some of them had very successful seasons this past year. The Men's Squash team won the national championship in February, and the Women's Basketball team went went to the NCAA Regionals ranked 24th in the nation. This was the first time any Ivy League women's sports team had ever been nationally ranked. Sports plays a huge role in student life at Princeton.

May 09, 2012

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Athletics at Princeton University

eviggers

Chemical Engineering '16

4.6
A

Student Involvement

Over half of the student body at Princeton participate in varsity sports. Most other students can be found cheering the team on or participating in some of the intra-mural sports.

Feb 15, 2012

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User rating for Princeton University - Athletics is 3.5 out of 5 based on 16 user reviews.

Student Survey Poll ResultsWhat's This?

How popular are varsity sports on campus?

How popular are intramurals and club sports?

How would you describe the athletic facilities?

Facts

Men's Varsity Sports
  • Baseball
  • Basketball
  • Fencing
  • Football
  • Golf
  • Ice hockey
  • Lacrosse
  • Other sports
  • Rowing
  • Soccer
  • Squash
  • Swimming and diving
  • Tennis
  • Track and field
  • Volleyball
  • Water polo
  • Wrestling
Women's Varsity Sports
  • Basketball
  • Fencing
  • Field hockey
  • Golf
  • Ice hockey
  • Lacrosse
  • Rowing
  • Soccer
  • Softball
  • Squash
  • Swimming and diving
  • Tennis
  • Track and field
  • Volleyball
  • Water polo
Intramurals
  • Badminton
  • Basketball
  • Bowling
  • Broomball
  • Dodgeball
  • Floor hockey
  • Foosball
  • Golf
  • Handball
  • Ice hockey
  • Inner tube water polo
  • Kickball (coed)
  • Soccer
  • Soccer (indoor)
  • Softball
  • Tennis
Club Sports
  • Aikido
  • Badminton
  • Ballroom dance
  • Baseball
  • Basketball (men’s and women’s)
  • Cycling
  • Equestrian
  • Field hockey
  • Figure skating
  • Ice hockey (men’s and women’s)
  • Karate
  • Kendo
  • Lacrosse (men’s and women’s)
  • Rifle
  • Rugby (men’s and women’s)
  • Sailing
  • Ski and snowboard
  • Soccer (men’s and women’s)
  • Softball
  • Squash
  • Table tennis
  • Taekwondo
  • Tennis
  • Ultimate Frisbee (men’s and women’s)
  • Volleyball (men’s and women’s)
Athletic Fields & Facilities
  • L. Stockwell Jadwin Gymnasium
  • Baker Ice Rink
  • Class of 1952 Stadium
  • DeNunzio Pool
  • Dillon Gymnasium
  • Lenz Tennis Center
  • Pagoda Tennis Courts
  • Peterson Recreation Center
  • Princeton Stadium
  • Shea Rowing Center
  • Springdale Golf Club
  • Weaver Track, Field Stadium & Frelinghuysen Field

Most Popular Sports

On the varsity level, the most visible teams are the football, basketball, baseball, ice hockey, and lacrosse teams. Football games draw in droves of alumni, especially for games against Big Three rivals Harvard and Yale. A strong rivalry with Penn in basketball gives Princeton students something to cheer about during the icy winters. Both lacrosse teams—men’s and women’s—have pulled in multiple national titles in recent history and are a great source of school spirit.

Most Overlooked Teams

The squash program is probably one of the most successful but underappreciated athletic programs on campus. Each year, the team places well in national tournaments but gets little exposure on campus, perhaps because few students even know what squash is by the time they get to campus freshman year. On the club level, both rugby teams have had great runs in national tournaments recently, but, because of its status as a club sport, rugby does not get the same sort of exposure as the football or lacrosse teams.

School Spirit

Princeton students and alumni can never be accused of not having school spirit. From making endless jokes about Harvard and Yale to coming back for annual reunions, Princeton is more than a four-year education, it is a lifetime legacy. While Princeton is not a school where all undergrads attend all of the football games, there is a constant aura of Princetonia. It is nearly impossible to pass through FitzRandolph Gates at graduation without owning at least one vibrant orange and black article of clothing. This spirit does not stop at the school level. Princeton undergrads also rally behind their residential colleges. For example, Butler residents brag about their intramural prowess, while Rocky residents poke fun at Butler’s dorms and claim superiority because of their Gothic dorms.

Getting Tickets

Students do not need to pay for many sporting events, and tickets are not difficult to obtain. Occasionally, it is necessary to get tickets ahead of time, but that is usually for major events, such as a Princeton-Penn home basketball game.

Best Place to Take a Walk

Towpath around Lake Carnegie, Princeton Battlefield

Become a Contributing Author Learn more »

Most Recent Student Author View all

Name
Kristen McCarthy
Hometown
Mahwah, N.J.

College Prowler is seeking talented student authors to assist with writing and updating the College Prowler guides to their schools. This is a great opportunity for a student to gain experience and tremendous exposure, utilize new media techniques, and share advice with high school students about what life is really like at your college.

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