University of California - Berkeley - Athletics

Quick Stats

College Prowler Take

If it weren’t for its nationally ranked football team, UC Berkeley might feel like UCLA’s nerdy older brother. The Pac-10 Golden Bears cultivate a strong sense of school spirit in the student body—past and present—and game days are weekend-long events that make the school feel cool. New students can sign up for free tickets, and everyone else knows that they’re definitely worth paying for. For those who don’t enjoy football, it’s hard to resist the free barbecue food and beer at almost every fraternity house, which line the route to the stadium, each blaring a different song and cheering for Cal as fans walk to the game. The annual Big Game with Stanford is the centerpiece of Cal’s athletic calendar. The campus comes alive with blue and gold pride, and there are events throughout the week before the game, ending in the West Coast’s largest bonfire rally. Although football and basketball are the only consistently crowded sporting events, the student body normally gets excited every time Cal plays its across-the-Bay rival.

As for intramurals, most IM teams are made of student organizations, although some students choose to walk on as free agents. Most sports have leagues for multiple experience levels, so new players do not have to play against more-seasoned athletes. At the most competitive levels, you’ll find all of the high school athletes who stopped playing school sports after getting to college. Translation: The teams are pretty good, which makes it a fun, once-a-week commitment for people who want solid competition. Cal club sports are a bit more competitive than intramural sports, and club athletes travel to compete against other colleges and universities at a competitive level. Cal STAR is another school-sponsored program that matches physically disabled students and adults with student volunteer trainers.

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Students Speak Out

Anonymous says:

I never thought I’d say this, but... I never thought I’d say this, but I’m really glad I go to a school with a football team. It brings more unity to the school and cultivates a sense of pride. 12345 Athletics Report

Anonymous says:

Berkeley students have a ton of... Berkeley students have a ton of school pride, and football games are one of the highlights of fall semester. Our student cheering section is very passionate during any sporting event, and it’s really fun to be a part of it. Intramural sports are only an hour a week and are more laid back. Most people join an IM team with a student group or sorority/fraternity, but “free agent” teams are also available and give you the opportunity to meet new people. We have intramural teams for every sport imaginable. 12345 Athletics Report

Anonymous says:

The whole school comes together... The whole school comes together for football games, and it’s pretty amazing to see the stadium decked out in blue and gold. There doesn’t seem to be as much spirit at other athletic events, but most of them are free to students and sometimes just as fun to attend. 12345 Athletics Report

Anonymous says:

Varsity sports can get really big,... Varsity sports can get really big, especially football and basketball. There are also club sports that do really well, like men’s rugby. There’s an extensive network of intramurals, from soccer to ultimate Frisbee to dodgeball. 12345 Athletics Report

Anonymous says:

Berkeley is Division I, so varsity... Berkeley is Division I, so varsity sports are very competitive. Football season is a ton of fun, and a lot of students get very into it. Intramural sports are a great way to keep active and have fun with your friends, but it is hard to get involved if you don’t already have a group of people to form a team with. 12345 Athletics Report

Facts

Most Recent Contributing Author

Name: Jody Leung
Hometown: Union City, CA
Major: History

Jody enjoys playing soccer, running, and anything else related to sports!

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