WashU students cheer for the Bears at Francis Olympic Field (Ella Giere | Class of 2026)

While WashU is a well-known academic powerhouse, the athletics program often takes the backseat. Given that we are a Division III school, many people have the misconception that our varsity sports “are not real.” However, WashU athletics serve the entire student body, not just its varsity athletes.

Sports bring people together. Whether a sporting event is professional or amateur, the collective effervescence it creates is compelling. Attending a game is a fun activity to do with friends, and it is a great place to meet new people. Additionally, many of our athletic facilities are on campus. There’s no need to block out an entire day to attend a match or game; you can simply stop by whenever it is easiest for you!

D-III athletics also provide a unique sporting atmosphere. None of the athletes at our level are allowed to have direct athletic scholarships, and very few have signed a Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL)  deal. This means that most D-III athletes choose to continue playing at a collegiate level because of their love for the game.

This intangible sense of joy makes WashU athletics stand apart from the rest. It’s undeniable. At any game, match, or meet, the athletes having the most fun are always in a WashU uniform — compared to their often quiet, serious, and rather sulky competition.

WashU softball plays improv games on the field five minutes before lineups are called. The track and field team can often be found in face paint and vibrant outfits when cheering on their teammates at meets. No one is louder than the bench of our women’s basketball team, who command the game even if the Bears are trailing behind their opponent. These small, intentional details are what makes WashU varsity teams special. There’s a level of compassion and heart that everyone embraces — even newcomers in the stands.

WashU athletes are also very engaged in communities outside of the athletic department. Whether it’s a capella, Greek life, or a food drive — D-III athletics gives its athletes time in their schedules to pursue other aspects of the college experience. The ability to engage with fellow students outside the classroom creates a more connected WashU population, which in turn makes games more exciting as one is able to recognize more faces on the field.

And the best part of it all is that at WashU, we win. This past year, 16 out of the 17 varsity sports WashU offers finished within the national top 20 rankings. That does not happen at any ordinary school, regardless of division. At WashU, success like this is a standard — dating back to the volleyball dynasty of 1991-1996, when the Bears won six NCAA D-III National Championships in a row. Developing teams that achieve unprecedented milestones is an expectation that we work to maintain every year.

The women’s soccer team has not lost a game in two years, winning two national championships back-to-back in 2024 and 2025. Women’s track clinched its 10th straight UAA conference title this past spring, and men’s basketball advanced to the Final Four in 2025. Additionally, women’s tennis picked up their first NCAA D-III National Championship title in 2025, and on May 28, 14 members of the men’s and women’s track teams were honored with All-American status — earning fourth and 10th place, respectively.

This coming semester, I encourage members of the WashU student body to start attending more games. Pick up a Student Life sports article every now and then to stay updated on our teams’ seasons, as well as our athletes’ accomplishments. WashU has one of the most elite D-III programs in the country — you don’t want to miss out on the next big things ahead.