Bard Athletics and Recreation helps organize intramural and pick-up sports throughout the department’s facilities, with specific offerings changing annually based on student interest. These activities are largely student-run, with some staff assistance in reserving space and providing necessary equipment, and the emphasis is on participation and fun rather than competitiveness and winning.
Students and staff interested in participating in Intramurals and/or Pick-Up Sports should fill out this Google Form.
The mission of the Bard recreational programs is to develop sportsmanship and camaraderie through participation in sport. The positive interaction that occurs on the playing fields and courts fosters friendships, develops teamwork, and enables participants to maintain physical fitness.
Students should also know that there are a number of student clubs outside Athletics & Recreation that involve physical activity, games, fitness, and often take place in Stevenson Athletic Center or around campus. The list of Bard Clubs can be found at this link.
Bard also sponsors several Club Sports (ultimate frisbee, rugby, fencing); more information for those programs can be found here.
Intramural / Pick-Up offerings are organized in a variety of ways, including the following:
Open / Pick-up: These activities are open to all students and staff and will take shape based on the number and skill level of participants at any given meetup. Participants are welcome to come and go as they please, and teams are generally made at each meeting with a goal of balancing skill levels to make games fun for all.
Example: During Pick-Up Basketball, students may casually shoot baskets or a small group might decide to organize a friendly game of pickup or horse.
Tournaments: In a variety of sports and activities, tournaments - run in either a single day or over the course of weeks/months - offer individuals and groups of friends an opportunity to compete for a championship or prize.
Example: A ping-pong tournament could run over the course of the whole semester with individuals playing a match every week, or a single-day dodgeball tournament could have each team playing several games in a 2-3 hour block of time.
Leagues: In recent years, Bard Intramural Leagues have been offered in Soccer and Basketball, where teams compete once a week over the course of 2-3 months in either the fall or spring semester. Students and staff can sign up with their team already assembled, or can join as an individual and be placed on a team. This is the most competitive of the recreational sports offerings.
Example: In Spring 2024, 10 intramural soccer teams played an eight-game season with matches every Sunday evening leading to a championship in early May.
To express interest in participating in Intramural and/or Pick-Up Sports, please fill out this Google Form. If you are interested in organizing a new sport or activity, or helping out in the organization or leadership of an existing program, please indicate that in the form.
Please note that ALL activities are dependent on number of participants and facility availability. Any questions regarding Intramural or Pick-Up Sports can be directed to Stefanie Carrington, Director of Athletics and Recreation, at scarrington@bard.edu.
