About Amherst College
A learning institution of rich heritage since 1821, Amherst College is highly regarded as a leading liberal arts college in the United States. The college is located in Amherst, a town in the western part of Massachusetts. The campus is adjacent to downtown Amherst, and is often kept lively by enthusiastic and energetic young men and women students of the college. Students benefit from the Five College Consortium that allows them to access a wider choice of courses, lectures, library resources, concerts, research opportunities and activities. Award winning educators, with fellowships as prestigious as Guggenheim and Fulbright, comprises the excellent and dedicated faculty of the college.
Athletics Department of Amherst College
In the promotion of fitness of mind and body, the Athletics Department of Amherst College offers recreational, intramural, club and intercollegiate sports activities to students. This also fosters sportsmanship and builds strong character in the participants. The intramural sports program is noteworthy because it allows faculty, staff, and administrators to join. The department is also proud of the Wolff Fitness Center, widely considered as the best athletic facility in NESCAC (New England Small College Athletic Conference). Located at the heart of Amherst’s gymnasium complex, the center provides complete facility including a full range of modern cardiovascular, body master and free weight equipment.
Athletic Programs of Amherst College
Considered to have the oldest athletic programs in the nation, Amherst College has one third of the student population involved in varsity sports with eighty percent participating in intramural and club sports team. Athletic Club teams include rugby, soccer, wrestling, water polo, ultimate, crew, skiing, fencing and sailing. Softball, volleyball, basketball and golf are part of intramural sports. Being a selected member of NCAA Division III, the college thrusts its effort to be a worthy competitor in this division, but at the same time encourages student-athletes to compliment athletic excellence with academic success as well for a comprehensive achievement in college.
Official Sports Team: Amherst Lord Jeffs
The Jeffs, as they are fondly called in reference the official name Amherst Lord Jeffs, have decades of winning tradition. They have captured a total of nine NCAA Division III team championships, 70 NCAA individual titles, and 31 Academic All-America selections. Finishing strong as runner-ups adds up to their glorious athletic history. In the prestigious NACDA Director’s Cup in the NCAA Division III they achieved fourth place in 2007 and 2008, third in 2009, second in 2010 and fourth in 2011 and 2012.
Guide to Athletic Scholarships at Amherst College
Amherst College adheres to educational and athletic relevance as goals to strive for by its students. The college competes in intercollegiate sports competition and is an active member of Division III of the National Collegiate Athletic Association and the New England Small College Athletic Conference. The less vigorous demands of Division III give athletes a chance to give attention to academics where there are several scholarship opportunities. Athletes are also provided with a leadership development program that will benefit them during and after their athletic career. A varsity student-athlete specifically designed program, it features workshops, symposia, speakers and interactive activities to promote influential leadership.