UMass Dartmouth Athletics
General Information 2006-2007
Facilities and programs
UMass Dartmouth offers 25 intercollegiate sports for men and women, numerous intramural programs, a variety of instructional classes, and many recreational opportunities.
Twenty acres of landscaped playing area comprise the outdoor facilities, including varsity baseball and softball fields, several practice fields, an artificial surface football/soccer/lacrosse field, a field hockey field, and an all-weather track and field complex. The Francis Tripp Athletic Center houses the gymnasium, natatorium, locker rooms, showers, equipment room, first aid and athletic training areas, faculty and staff rooms, weight rooms, offices, and a classroom. The gymnasium houses three adjoining basketball courts; each may be individually separated by a floor to ceiling mechanized curtain. Forty-six rows of bleachers convert the gymnasium into a field house accommodating more than 2,500 spectators.
The natatorium includes a 75 x 44 foot swimming pool and a separate 35 x 44 foot diving facility. The diving pool is furnished with two one-meter boards and a three-meter board. Balcony seating is provided for more than 500 spectators.
A $3 million dollar, 13,100 square-foot fitness center adjacent to the Tripp Athletic Center opened for use by faculty, staff and students at the beginning of the Spring 2000 semester.
The fitness center provides improved fitness facilities for the UMass Dartmouth community and was intended to attract female students and athletes to the modern sports center. The new building features an aerobics room and fitness center/weight training area. In addition to these two exercise areas, new men's and women's locker rooms and rest room facilities are part of the building, as well as an office, storage facilities and lobby/meeting area.
The construction of the Tripp Athletic Center addition, under the provisions of Title IX, compliments recent improvements made by UMass Dartmouth to the athletic fields where women's sports are played. Upgrades have taken place to the softball field and additional work is planned on the lacrosse/football field along with a new soccer and track and field complex.
Work was completed in 1998 on a project to rebuild the women's softball field. New irrigation and drainage plus new sod was installed to ensure an even, safe playing field. A new electronic scoreboard, backstop and flagpole was also installed at the softball field with a new backstop on the baseball field and electronic scoreboard as well. A new running surface has been installed for the track to reduce running-related injuries. In addition, a modern area for pole vault, long and triple jumps has been added as well as a new throwing cage. A new electronic scoreboard and timing system has already been installed at the track and field complex.
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Intercollegiate opportunities
As an NCAA Division III member, UMass Dartmouth places special importance on the impact of athletics on the participants rather than on the spectator. Student athletes receive the same treatment as other students. They have no special privileges, nor are they denied the rights and opportunities which would be available to them as non-athletes.
Sports for men and women receive equal emphasis, and the desired quality of competition is similar in all sports.
UMass Dartmouth believes that athletics provides an avenue for students to gain valuable opportunities for personal growth. These experiences, coupled with the knowledge gained in the academic arena, help UMass Dartmouth provide student-athletes with a well-rounded education.
There are men's intercollegiate teams in baseball, basketball, cross country, football, golf, ice hockey, lacrosse, soccer, swimming and diving, tennis, and indoor and outdoor track and field.
There are women's intercollegiate teams in basketball, cross country, field hockey, lacrosse, soccer, softball, swimming and diving, tennis, indoor and outdoor track and field, and volleyball.
Intercollegiate cheerleading and equestrian are offered as a coed sports. UMass Dartmouth is consistently represented in regional and post-seasonal tournaments and championships. 71 UMass Dartmouth students have attained NCAA All-American status.
NCAA Division III does not offer athletic scholarships. It places highest priority on the overall quality of the educational experience.
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Intramural opportunities
All students have the opportunity to complete in a wide variety of team and individual sports on the intramural level. Among the intramural activities are coed softball, flag football, coed volleyball, coed tennis, cross-country running, sailing and basketball. Rosters are available in the Intramural Office at the Tripp Center, which is available to all students for recreational use throughout the academic year. For additional information, contact Intramurals Director Jerry Jennings at 999-9255.
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Recreational and instructional activities
Students are encouraged to take advantage of the non-credit instructional programs. Classes are offered in aerobics, swimming, tennis, badminton, ballroom dance, fitness, weight training, and calisthenics. Registration for some classes is held during the first two weeks of classes, while other classes have open enrollment.
Facilities are available for recreational use by students throughout the school year. They include the fitness center, gymnasium, swimming pools, weight room, running track, practice soccer field, softball fields, tennis courts, and intramural fields. A UMass Pass identification card is required to use the gym, pool, fitness center and equipment room. Lockers are available on a first-come, first-served basis. A new identification system has been established for use of the Fitness Center. Students can also use the outdoor facilities at convenient hours during the week. The 1.7 mile Ring Road circles the campus and is frequently used by walkers and joggers.
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