Education through Athletics
Athletic participation helps our students grow, learn, and
enjoy themselves while they use and develop their personal,
physical, and intellectual skills. Harvard values the lessons that
have long been taught by athletic participation: the pursuit of
excellence through personal development and teamwork, ethical and
responsible behavior on the field and off, adherence to the spirit
of rules as well as to their letter, leadership and strength of
character, and sportsmanship – respect for one’s
opponents, acceptance of victory with humility, and acknowledgement
of defeat with grace. In teaching these lessons to its
students, Harvard instills habits which will lead students to
better and healthier lives. While winning is not an end in
itself, we believe that the efforts by our intercollegiate athletes
to be their best will lead them to succeed throughout their
lives.
Build Community and Pride in Harvard
Athletics at Harvard builds community through the engagement
of students, faculty, staff, and alumni, and creates a portal
through which neighboring communities can enjoy the Harvard
experience. We all take pride in knowing that our coaches are
educators and our athletes are true representatives of Harvard's
student body – Harvard athletes are admitted through the same
process, receive the same academic support, and are held to the
same standards as every other Harvard student. Successful
athletic teams generate unique excitement across the campus and
community, help strengthen bonds among the various arms of our
university, build collegiate loyalty in a healthy manner, and give
our community members yet another reason to be proud to represent
Harvard.