Supporting Ithaca: Athletic Opportunities Matter to Students

7/20/2007

Nearly half of IC students participate in sports, demonstrating how deeply the values and lessons of athletics are embedded in Ithaca’s culture. The Campaign for Ithaca is initiating a long-term commitment to support athletics. 

Approximately 700 student-athletes play intercollegiate sports on Ithaca’s varsity and junior varsity teams. Add in those who participate on intramural teams and in club sports, and the number of students at IC involved in athletics climbs to over 3,000. Nearly half of Ithaca’s student population pursue athletics! 

Athletic Participation (rounded) 

Maybe one way to explain this high level of participation is the promise of a residential college experience: students who come to Ithaca expect to be engaged in the classroom and to find plenty of opportunities outside of class, too. 

Sports are uniquely suited to make a valuable contribution to a fulfilling Ithaca experience. Not only do solid athletics programs offer students a constructive and healthy outlet, they also serve up lessons in discipline, teamwork, and commitment – learning occasions that supply a valuable complement to academic training.  In addition, the many teams and athletic opportunities available at South Hill help to build and strengthen the social fabric of the campus community. 

The most important way you can support athletics at the College is to consider a gift to the new athletics and events center. As one of the lead priorities associated with the Campaign for Ithaca College, the A&E center represents the start of a multi-step commitment to upgrade IC’s athletic facilities. 

As these numbers reflect, athletics matters a great deal to Ithaca students and are a central part of the life they expect to find in their collegiate experience. Brandi Bossinger ’07 says it’s a “joy” to have a sports activity to look forward to at the end of the class day. Read Brandi’s comments in Athletics Add Joy and Fulfillment. 

Make a gift to the A&E Center