Williams College sponsors varsity, intramural, club sports, physical education, recreation, and fitness classes. With a dedicated faculty and world-class facilities, the department seeks to promote the highest standards in health and physical fitness.
In addition to 32 men's and women's varsity teams, Williams has an active club and intramural sports program, offering a variety of club sports including ultimate frisbee, rugby, equestrian, cycling, fencing, volleyball, sailing, water polo, and more. More than 60% of Williams' students compete on at least one varsity or club team.
The school’s athletic teams are called the Ephs (rhymes with “chiefs”), a shortening of the first name of founder Ephraim Williams. The college is a Division III member institution of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and the New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC).
To encourage students to develop lifelong healthy habits, Williams requires students to take four physical education credits in order to graduate.