Student Life
Whether you want to compete in an intercollegiate sport, learn a new sport on a club team, or just stay in shape, you'll find a lot to choose from here.
The Gerald Ratner Athletics Center, which opened in 2003, is a major addition to Chicago's recreation and sports facilities. It houses the Olympic-size Myers-McLoraine Pool, competition and multipurpose gymnasiums, fitness facilities, a dance studio, a U of C Athletics Hall of Fame, and lots more. It's located along Ellis Avenue between 55th and 56th Streets. You can't miss the striking design, which aims to reflect the aquatic and sports activities going on inside. The Athletics Web site, athletics.uchicago.edu, has up-to-date information on hours and amenities.
Your Chicago Card will get you into any indoor athletic facility. Spouses, domestic partners, and accompanied children may purchase a pass to use the facilities. For details, call the Department of Physical Education and Athletics at 3-4680 or go to the Web site at athletics.uchicago.edu.
Intercollegiate athletics
With a long and glorious past, the University of Chicago is more sports-minded than many people realize and has even been a trailblazer in intercollegiate athletics (see "Firsts," sidelight on this page).
The University is a charter member of the University Athletic Association (UAA), an NCAA Division III conference. UAA competition began in 1987. UAA members share the philosophy that while athletics can be a proper component of the overall college program, the academic experience holds priority.They affirm clear standards of moral and ethical behavior in the conduct of intercollegiate athletics.
Other UAA members are Brandeis University, Carnegie Mellon University, Case Western Reserve University, Emory University, New York University, the University of Rochester, and Washington University in St. Louis. These are all private, research institutions in major metropolitan areas.
During Chicago's early years as a member of the Big Ten Conference, the athletics program counted numerous distinguished scholar-athletes among its ranks, including 1910 Rhodes Scholar Edwin Hubble, a basketball player who later became a distinguished scientist for whom the Hubble Space telescope is named.
Chicago has furthered that tradition in recent years as its student-athletes have continued to compile an extraordinary record of academic and athletic accomplishment, highlighted by four Rhodes Scholars and three individual national champions since 1996. Many of the most outstanding athletes at Chicago have also distinguished themselves in the classroom. In 2003–04, for example, 141 Chicago student-athletes qualified for the UAA All-Academic Recognition Award.
Among those honorees were a Division III individual champion in men's outdoor track and field, the Division III women's soccer player of the year, a Division III statistical champion in softball, two UAA players of the year, 11 All-Americans, and 44 All-UAA selections.
Intercollegiate sports:
Autumn quarter
Men: cross-country, football, soccer
Women: cross-country, soccer, volleyball
Winter quarter
Men: basketball, indoor track and field, swimming and diving, wrestling
Women: basketball, indoor track and field, swimming and diving
Spring quarter
Men: baseball, outdoor track and field, tennis
Women: softball, outdoor track and field, tennis
Sports clubs
Sport Clubs Office
Ratner Athletics Center, Room 141
2-4658
There are about 43 sports clubs at the University that compete intercollegiately and against local teams. Most sports clubs require no previous experience and are open to men and women.
Here's a sampling of sports clubs on campus. For a complete list, visit the Athletics Web site.
Badminton
Crew
Fencing
Gymnastics
Ice hockey
Lacrosse
15 forms of martial arts
Rugby
Sailing
Squash
Ultimate Frisbee
Velo club
Volleyball
Intramural sports
IM/Recreation Office
Ratner Athletics Center, Room 139
2-4658
Chicago boasts one of the most extensive intramural sports programs in the country. Open to all undergraduate and graduate students, Chicago's 30 intramural sports offerings provide one of the most popular recreational activities on campus—more than 70 percent of students participate in one or more sports.
Undergraduates compete in intramural team sports as members of residence-hall teams and in open divisions for the right to play for intramural championships.
Although most students compete in intramurals for the sheer fun of it, intramural standings are closely watched in campus newspapers and on the Internet.
For the latest scoop, visit the Athletics Department Web site (athletics.uchicago.edu) or read the Maroon's IM Insider column.
Some recent offerings:
Basketball
Bowling
Broomball
Dodgeball
Flag football
Floor hockey
Inner-tube water polo
Kickball
Soccer (indoor, outdoor)
Softball (12", Chicago 16")
Swim meet
Tennis
Ultimate Frisbee
Volleyball
Open recreation activities
Athletics Facilities Office
Ratner Athletics Center
2-3871
Outside of organized teams and courses, there is still a lot to do and try on your own. Here's the what and where:
Basketball
Ratner Athletics Center and Crown Field House: Courts may be used during all hours that the buildings are open—unless classes or intramurals are in session or varsity teams are practicing or competing. Daily open recreation hours are posted at each location.
Dance
There are rooms in three facilities for dance practice and rehearsal. For information on available times and to make reservations, call 2-3848 for the Ratner Dance Studio, 2-3418 for the Dance Room in Ida Noyes, and 4-0858 for the Bartlett Arts Rehearsal Space (BARS).
FitChicago
Ratner Athletics Center: You can take a variety of non-credit fitness classes such as swimming, water aerobics, kickboxing, pilates, yoga, step aerobics, and tango dancing. You'll need to purchase a Fitness Punch Card for all FitChicago classes. For schedules and class offerings, visit athletics.uchicago.edu/fitchicago.htm.
Handball, squash, racquetball
Crown Field House: Four handball/racquetball courts and five squash courts. For information on making reservations, see the Athletics Web site or call 3-4949.
Jogging
Crown Field House (indoor), Stagg Field (outdoor track): Check building schedules.
Recreational Swimming
Monday, Wednesday, Friday: 6:15—8:30 a.m.;
11:30 a.m.—1:30 p.m.; 6:00—9:00 p.m.
Tuesday, Thursday: 6:15—8:30 a.m.;
10:00 a.m.—1:30 p.m.; 6:00—9:00 p.m.
Saturday, Sunday: 9:15—11:00 a.m.; 3:00—6:00 p.m.
Ratner Athletics Center: See the Athletics Web site for up-to-date information on hours. Swimmers must provide their own suits. During Family Swim (Friday, 6:00—9:00 p.m.; Saturday, Sunday 3:00—6:00 p.m.), children must be accompanied by a parent.
Soccer
Crown Field House: Indoor soccer play is available weekday evenings from November to March. See the Athletics Web site for information on making reservations.
Tennis
57th and Ellis Avenue: Two outdoor courts.
Stagg Field: Eight outdoor courts.
Crown Field House: Indoor courts are available November to March during the noon hour. See the Athletics Web site for information on making reservations.
Volleyball
Crown Field House: A court is available for volleyball during all hours that the upper level is open to recreational users. Daily open recreation schedules are posted at Crown Field House.
Weight training/fitness development
Ratner Athletics Center and Crown Field House: Equipment is available during all building hours. Some fitness center sections may not be open when classes meet or team practice is scheduled.
Fifty- to sixty-minute weight training orientations, usually at the beginning of the quarter, provide an introduction to the proper use of selectorized resistance training equipment. Find out more at athletics.uchicago.edu/facilities/weight-orientation.htm.
Recreational facilities
The recreational facilities of the University are open to students, faculty members, full-time employees, alumni, and their spouses and children. See the Athletics Web site for the fee schedule for non-students.
To use the University's athletic facilities, you must present a valid Chicago Card.
Recreational equipment is available on loan at the front desks of Ratner Athletics Center and Crown Field House.
For information on making reservations, see the Athletics Web site or call 3-4949.
Building hours during the academic year
Crown Field House
Monday—Friday: 7:00 a.m.—11:30 p.m.
Saturday: 10:00 a.m.—8:00 p.m.
Sunday: 10:00 a.m.—9:00 p.m.
Ratner Athletics Center
Monday—Friday: 6:00 a.m.—midnight
Saturday: 8 a.m.—9 p.m.
Sunday: 8:00 a.m.—midnight
Hours are subject to change and will be shortened during interim periods and summer quarter. Visit the Athletics Web site at athletics.uchicago.edu for up-to-date information.
Outdoor recreation
This is an urban campus, but there's still plenty to do if you like the outdoors. Nearby are Stagg Field, the Midway Plaisance, Washington and Jackson Parks, and the adjacent shores of Lake Michigan. Within a few hours of campus are spots for hiking, biking, canoeing, rock climbing, sledding, snowshoeing, skiing, and more. For information on parks and bike trails, see City Life, Parks, Zoos, and Gardens.
Students take aim during daily archery classes held on Dudley Field behind Ida Noyes in 1930.
