Colgate University Athletics

Colgate competes in NCAA Division I, meaning serious athletics with scholarship funding and regional television coverage. The Raiders field 21 varsity teams in the Patriot League, a conference known for balancing academic excellence with competitive athletics. With 628 total athletes among 3,122 students, roughly 20% of the campus participates in varsity sports. The athletic department awards $16.7 million in scholarships annually. Colgate's biggest rivalry centers on Hamilton College, their longtime nemesis in the Third Oldest Rivalry in college football dating back to 1882. The Raiders are particularly known for strong hockey and lacrosse programs. The school's athletic tradition runs deep in this small college town, where games draw passionate crowds despite the rural setting.