Gymnast; crew team on the river; baseball player at bat

Let’s get moving!

Politics isn’t the only game in town.

Athletics & Recreation

A-10 Regular Season Champions: Women's Soccer

We don’t just cheer for our 27 NCAA Division 1 teams, we Raise High the Buff and Blue! Colonials have won more than 95 team championships in 15 different sports — from basketball to tennis, gymnastics to golf. With a Colonial Army of fans loyal to GW, it’s no surprise our teams have thrived in the Atlantic-10 conference and across the country.

In the classroom and in competition, our athletes excel: Nearly 300 student-athletes make the Dean’s List each semester with a 3.0 or higher GPA. That’s quite a record in any arena.

“Our aim is to ensure that our athletics and recreation programs match the overall excellence of the university, and that our student-athletes have the resources they need to succeed, both on the field and in the classroom.”

President Steven Knapp

GW has 63 international student athletes from 35 countries

More than 1000 GW students play club sports

The GW Women's soccer team won 15 games in a row in 2015

7 GW student-athletes were honored with outstanding academic achievement awards in 2016

The GW Men's basketball team is 40 - 5 at home since 2013

Men’s Basketball Captures the NIT
The GW Men’s Basketball team are national champions! The Colonials captured the 2016 NIT championship and the hearts of the student body with other dramatic wins like their upset of No. 6 Virginia early in the season.
Women’s Basketball Wins the A-10
In 2016, the GW Women’s Basketball team repeated as champions of the A-10 conference. For the second year in a row, the women advanced on to play in the NCAA tournament.

Raise High the Buff and Blue!

Student fans cheering for GW

Our fans give us the edge at home. It’s what we call a monumental home court advantage. Join the Colonial Army, our official student fan group, and be part of the game, every game.

Learn it and love it: The GW fight song is a tradition at our games. Before long, you’ll raise high the buff, raise high the blue, as if you’ve been doing it your entire life.

Simon Lazev, Colonial Brass Band

Class of 2019
Major: Mechanical Engineering

"It's definitely really easy to be involved and to have spirit here. We like to say that we have the monumental home court advantage. There's a lot of great energy at games and our Colonial Army is a big part of that, as well as the band and cheer team, who all get students involved."

Spirit Program

Athletics in D.C.

Playing a Division 1 sport in a high-profile city is an exciting opportunity. You’ll play for loyal fans in a winning environment and prove you can handle the responsibilities of being a student and an athlete. You won’t do it alone: We support our student-athletes from recruitment to Commencement and beyond with an emphasis on individual responsibility and pride in academic accomplishments. From academic support to leadership development, we make sure our student-athletes succeed in their time here and after.

Become a Student Athlete at GW

Alexandra deMoura, Gymnastics

Class of 2017
Major: Organizational Sciences

“GW helped me succeed as a student-athlete by allowing me to make the most of my experiences in the gym and the classroom. We have a huge support system here, whether it be a professor, classmate, teammate or coach. It’s amazing to be in the nation’s capital with opportunities like being able to run and condition with my teammates around the monuments. It really makes us appreciate where we are.”

Campus Recreation

Ice hockey players on bench

You don’t have to be a varsity athlete to love the game. GW has more than 50 club and intramural sports you can join — from ice hockey to ultimate frisbee. Pro tip: You’ll love playing on the National Mall.

Students doing pushups on exercise balls

Lerner Health & Wellness Center, our fitness center on Foggy Bottom, has everything you need to stay healthy. From a variety of cardio and strength training equipment to group fitness classes to racquetball courts, you’ll have fun while working out.

Treadmills and ellipticals

Our state-of-the-art fitness center in West Hall is equipped with everything from free weights to recumbent bikes. It’s open to all members of the Mount Vernon Campus community free of charge.

GW student athletes: Chidima Osuchukwu, Class of 2017 plays Women's Volleyball; Miranda Diblasio, Class of 2018 runs Women's Cross Country and Track; Chris Shaffer, Class of 2018, runs Men's cross country and track; Tobi Adewole, Class of 2017, plays Men's Soccer; Pierce Deamer, class of 2018 plays men's Water Polo; and Brittany Cooper, Class of 2018 plays women's soccer GW student athletes: Chidima Osuchukwu, Class of 2017 plays Women's Volleyball; Miranda Diblasio, Class of 2018 runs Women's Cross Country and Track; Chris Shaffer, Class of 2018, runs Men's cross country and track; Tobi Adewole, Class of 2017, plays Men's Soccer; Pierce Deamer, class of 2018 plays men's Water Polo; and Brittany Cooper, Class of 2018 plays women's soccer

Men’s Basketball Captures the NIT

Women’s Basketball Wins the A-10

Raise High the Buff and Blue!

Athletics in D.C.

Campus Recreation