Division III schools are usually known for their great balance between athletics and academics, not for their facilities. However, Division III schools can also have top-notch athletic facilities. Here are some of the best facilities in the country:
1. Colby College
Colby College has arguably the nicest Division III athletic facilities in the country. Colby competes in the NESCAC and opened its brand-new athletic facility in 2020. The building is 350,000 square feet and cost $200 million. This state-of-the-art facility offers a three-level fitness center, an indoor track and field facility, indoor tennis courts, squash courts, a climbing wall, and an athletic training room with hydrotherapy pools.
2. RPI
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute sports teams all compete at the Division III level in the Liberty League, except for ice hockey, which competes at the DI level. RPI has one of the biggest field stadiums in the country, seating 5,200. The facility also has a top-notch strength and conditioning center.
3. St. Lawrence
St. Lawrence University is another DIII school in the Liberty League and is upgrading many facilities. They are adding a brand-new rowing complex, men's and women's lacrosse team rooms, a player's lounge, a field hockey and softball team room, an athletic training center, a film room, and a coaches' strategy room. These new additions will cost the Saints about $2.65 million.
4. Middlebury College
Middlebury College of the NESCAC has some of the nicest athletic facilities you will come across. They have a stunning indoor and outdoor track and field complex, squash center, cross country course, hockey rink that holds 2,600 people, indoor tennis courts, a new field hockey field, a full golf course, softball, baseball, soccer, and football fields, and nordic and alpine ski facilities.
5. Claremont-Mudd-Scripps
The Claremont-Mudd-Scripps colleges compete in the SCIAC. They have a beautiful outdoor pool for swimming and water polo, a strength and conditioning room, fields for soccer, track and field, football, lacrosse, and softball, and a golf facility.
6. Johns Hopkins
Johns Hopkins University competes in the Centennial Conference. They have one of the best Division III stadiums in the country for football, lacrosse, soccer, and field hockey. They also have a fencing room, a wrestling room, a dedicated center for lacrosse, and an incredible baseball field.
7. Washington University in St. Louis
The Washington University in St. Louis athletic facilities are impressive. With a field house and recreational gym, an indoor pool, top-notch basketball and volleyball courts, and a brand-new sports performance with remarkable resources and a golf simulator, WashU is one of the best places to go for athletics.
8. Ithaca College
Ithaca College is another DIII school competing in the Liberty League. The Bombers' athletic facilities include a 50-meter Olympic-size swimming pool, indoor and outdoor track complexes, turf and grass fields, and outdoor tennis courts.
9. Tufts University
Tufts University competes in the NESCAC and has a 70,000-square-foot indoor sports center. The Jumbos have indoor and outdoor track and field facilities, indoor basketball, volleyball, tennis, and squash courts, a boathouse, and so much more.
Image Credit: Colby College Athletics/Middlebury Athletics/Johns Hopkins University Athletics/Tufts University
