About Bard Athletics and Recreation

The Department of Athletics and Recreation offers a wide range of programs to meet the needs of a variety of lifestyles and sporting interests, from traditional intercollegiate competition to intramural sports and recreational pursuits. The College sponsors intercollegiate programs for men and women in soccer, cross-country, volleyball, tennis, and basketball. Men also compete in squash. Athletic teams compete under the auspices of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA Division III). Bard is also a member of various sports conferences, including the Skyline Conference, Eastern Collegiate Athletic Conference, North East Collegiate Volleyball Association, College Squash Association, and National Intramural and Recreational Sports Association.

The Stevenson Gymnasium and playing fields provide the setting for a range of intramural and recreational offerings. Intramural programs are organized throughout the college year in soccer, basketball, floor hockey, bowling, tennis, volleyball, softball, kickball, badminton, and squash. At the club level Bard offers swimming, cycling, rugby, fencing, equestrian events, ultimate Frisbee, baseball, skiing, and snowboarding. Tournaments and other events in squash, basketball, fitness, table tennis, running, and aquatics are also offered.

Classes are offered to enhance lifetime pursuits such as yoga, tai chi chuan, fitness, kickboxing, karate, belly dancing, swimming, shotokan, Scottish country dancing, and Tahitian dance. Aerobics classes are available in various forms, including step, cardio kickboxing, low impact, and tae bo. Certification courses in CPR/AED and lifesaving are also available. In addition, the College's rural setting makes it easy to engage in many popular outdoor activities, such as running, cross-country and downhill skiing, snowboarding, hiking, cycling, mountain biking, rock climbing, and ice skating. There are also facilities for golf, bowling, and horseback riding near the campus.