INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETICS AND CAMPUS RECREATION

Intercollegiate Athletics

UCI's Intercollegiate Athletic Program features 23 sports, with 11 men's teams, 11 women's teams, and one coed sailing team. Men's sports include baseball, basketball, crew, cross country, golf, soccer, swimming and diving, tennis, track and field, volleyball, and water polo. UCI's men's teams compete in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I, and the University is a member of the Big West Conference. UCI also competes in the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation (MPSF) in men's volleyball and water polo. UCI's sailing team competes in the Intercollegiate Yacht Racing Association (ICYRA), and crew competes in the Pacific Coast Championships. The UCI women's teams also are members of NCAA Division I and the Big West Conference, competing in basketball, crew, cross country, golf, soccer, swimming and diving, tennis, outdoor track and field, and volleyball. Women's water polo and women's indoor track and field compete in the MPSF.

UCI has captured 21 national team championships in eight different sports since opening in 1965, with 63 individuals winning national titles and well over 400 earning All-American honors. UCI has won 47 Big West Conference championships since 1977. Each spring, the University presents the Big West Scholar-Athlete Award to those student-athletes who maintained a 3.0 GPA over the previous three quarters. In the last 19 years, 2,051 UCI student-athletes have earned the award.

The mission of UCI Intercollegiate Athletics is to facilitate and enrich the education and personal growth of its students through their participation in competitive NCAA Division I athletics. Intercollegiate Athletics is committed to the welfare of student-athletes and staff, and advocates an environment that promotes excellence in athletic and academic performance, sportsmanship, diversity, and gender equity. Intercollegiate Athletics also supports the University of California's mission of public service and serves to generate a unifying spirit among students, faculty, staff, and alumni that transcends communities, cultures, and generations.

The Intercollegiate Athletic offices are located in Crawford Hall; telephone (949) 824-6931.

ATHLETIC FACILITIES

On-campus facilities include the Bren Events Center, which seats 5,000 for intercollegiate basketball, and Crawford Hall, the home of UCI Athletics. In addition to supporting the University's training and student-athlete academic support services, Crawford Hall gymnasium seats 1,200 for volleyball. Outdoor facilities include Anteater Stadium, a 2,500-seat facility for soccer and track; the 500-seat Tennis Stadium; Anteater Ballpark, home to the baseball program; and a five-acre multipurpose field complex.

In the spring of 1999, UCI opened the $3-million, 64-meter Anteater Aquatic Complex to house the intercollegiate water polo, swimming, and diving teams. This aquatics facility is designed with a movable bulkhead and is large enough to accommodate multiple activities simultaneously.

Campus Recreation

Campus Recreation provides UCI students, faculty, and staff with an opportunity to enhance their campus experience by developing and maintaining a physically active lifestyle through classes and clinics, club sports, fitness and wellness, intramural sports, and outdoor adventures. These programs are offered in the Anteater Recreation Center (ARC), ARC fields, and at other off-campus locations.

The Anteater Recreation Center (ARC) is a complete state-of-the-art sports and fitness facility. ARC facilities include: a 10,000-square-foot weight room with 141 cardiovascular and weight machines and more than 15 tons of free weights, lap and leisure pool, a three-court gym, a rounded-corner one-court gym, an elevated running track, a rock climbing wall, three multipurpose rooms (aerobics, martial arts, dance), and three racquetball courts. Registered students have access to the facilities with current UCI identification and are not required to pay any additional membership fee. Faculty and staff may purchase ARC memberships.

The ARC Fields opened in 2002 to expand the recreational opportunities for students and the campus community. These facilities include sport fields, tennis courts, a roller hockey rink, and basketball courts. The 20 acres of lighted fields include space for four softball fields, soccer fields, and flag football. There are six lighted tennis courts available for Campus Recreation programs and drop-in use. The roller rink is recreational in size and is also available for program and drop-in use. The two lighted basketball courts add to the basketball opportunities on campus.

Campus Recreation offers a variety of non-credit activity classes and clinics to students and ARC members. This program includes high-quality classes from the classic sports of golf, tennis, and swimming to the dynamic style of karate or the peaceful environment of a Tai Chi class. Additionally, the Classes and Clinics program provides options for other interests with an array of dance classes such as hip hop, salsa, and belly dance. For those looking for certifications, try scuba diving or CPR and First Aid.

Fitness and Wellness provides a wide array of opportunities for participants to begin or improve their fitness program. The ARC fitness center is state-of-the-art with a complete line of free weights, resistance machines, and cardiovascular equipment. The staff is well trained and provides assistance with the proper use of the equipment and with various program goals. Personal training and fitness conditioning classes as well as a variety of fitness and group exercise classes including step, kickboxing, body sculpting, yoga, and pilates are available.

Intramural Sports are structured sport leagues and tournaments, which are designed for the "everyday athlete." All activities feature men's, women's, and co-rec as well as different divisions based on skill and competitiveness. Sport leagues include basketball, flag football, floor hockey, indoor soccer, soccer, softball, and volleyball. Special events and tournaments include badminton, swimming, table tennis, racquetball, tennis, track, and wrestling. Registration begins on the first day of each quarter. Participants may sign up as a team or as individuals.

The Outdoor Adventure program provides the UCI community with a variety of outdoor recreational opportunities including rock climbing, sailing, and seasonal trips for hiking and cross-country skiing. The sailing program includes both sailing classes and a sailing club (UCISA). The classes are offered quarterly and include beginning through advanced sailing opportunities. The club is available for individuals interested in sailing the boats on their own as well as participating in various social activities with other sailors. The Rock Climbing program includes classes, wall membership, and the use of all climbing equipment, as well as supervision. For beginners, all students and ARC members are entitled to a free, first-time climb session.

The UCI Club Sport program provides a variety of student-initiated and student-managed club sports. Students are able to learn a new sport or participate in one they have been involved with in the past. Club sports may be competitive, recreational, or instructional in nature. Some current clubs include rugby, lacrosse, soccer, biking, badminton, roller hockey, and volleyball.

All UCI students and ARC members may register and participate in the preceding activities (intramural sports and club sports do have additional eligibility requirements). Up-to-date information, including hours of operations and class schedules are available in Campus Recreation's quarterly publication and on the Campus Recreation Web site at http://www.campusrec.uci.edu/. Equipment such as basketballs, volleyballs, racquets, and other items may be checked out on a daily basis from ARC's Gear Up; telephone (949) 824-6401.

Additional information is available from Campus Recreation Services (2nd floor, ARC), 680 California Ave; telephone (949) 824-5346.