One national championship. Four top five finishes. Seven top ten finishes. Fifteen teams in NCAA action and nine University Athletic Association championships.

That’s just one school year in Washington University athletics and the 2008-2009 year. What do students new to Wash. U. need to know about their college’s sports?

There’s a lot to brag about with an athletic program that’s ranked 4th in all of NCAA Division III, according to the 2009 Learfield Directors’ Cup, and won 16 national championships throughout school history.

The men’s basketball team will open play in the winter looking for a third straight national championship while the women’s basketball team will look to avenge a loss in last season’s NCAA title game. Men’s swimming & diving had a seventh place performance at the national championships as junior Alex Beyer earned an individual championship in the 400-meter Individual Medley. The men’s tennis team and women’s track and field teams also placed fourth and fifth respectively. Both the women’s soccer and volleyball teams also made runs deep into the NCAA tournament last season.

For information on all 17 varsity programs, check out the University’s official sports website bearsports.wustl.edu and in Student Life publications throughout the year.

Here are a few tips for becoming the ultimate Wash. U. sports fan:

• The official mascot of Wash. U. is the Bear.
• The official school colors are red and green.
• You can join the fan group, Red Alert, and be eligible for contests, free food and free shirts.
• The venues for most sports are on campus at the Athletic Complex and Francis Field.
• All games are free for Wash. U. students with their student IDs.
• Most importantly, athletes perform better with more fans in the stands. Athletes at the Division III level don’t receive athletic scholarships and are floormates, classmates and friends.

Show off your Wash. U. pride as volleyball, men’s soccer and women’s soccer begin their national championship campaigns on September 1st. Football kicks off and cross country hosts a meet on September 5.