Athletics and Recreation

MIT's Department of Athletics, Physical Education, and Recreation offers opportunities for sports instruction and participation at all levels. All undergraduates are involved with physical education, which offers over 25 activities during five periods. Students complete four classes to satisfy the General Institute Requirement for physical education. Approximately 20 percent of undergraduates also compete in intercollegiate athletics, and about 95 percent of all students (graduate and undergraduate) take part in intramural sports and informal recreation. According to the National Collegiate Athletic Association, MIT ties Harvard to sponsor the broadest intercollegiate athletic program in the country, with 41 varsity teams (21 for men, 17 for women, three coeducational). MIT competes mainly against Division III New England colleges and Ivy League schools, but also routinely participates in regional and national tournaments and championships. There are more than 20 intramural programs, with over 680 teams. MIT also fields one of the most expansive club programs in the country, with nearly 30 programs open to undergraduates, graduate students, faculty, and staff.

MIT has earned 128 Academic All-America citations, the most for any Division III program in the nation. Based on an annual report collected by the National Collegiate Scouting Association, which determines the top colleges and universities in the country according to the Sears Cup rank, the U.S. News and World Report rank, and the student-athlete graduation rank, MIT was tabbed the 16th best school in America for 2006–2007 in all divisions when combining both athletics and academics.

MIT's athletic facilities have recently undergone an unprecedented expansion and renovation. September 2002 saw the opening of the Zesiger Sports and Fitness Center, a 124,000-square-foot facility featuring two swimming pools, a fitness center, international-scale squash courts, a multiactivity court, and support services. In June 2004, the renovated Alumni Pool opened along with the new Wang Fitness Center. Other recent renovations include reconstruction of the outdoor track and field areas, resurfacing of the indoor track, a new Astroturf surface on Jack Barry field, two saunas, and an indoor golf practice range. With 10 buildings and 26 acres of playing fields, MIT also boasts one of the most expansive athletic complexes in New England.