Cornell College Athletics

Cornell College competes in NCAA Division III, where sports focus on personal development rather than big-time athletics with no athletic scholarships available. With 495 athletes across 20 varsity sports, nearly half the student body (46%) participates in athletics. The Rams compete in the Midwest Conference alongside schools like Beloit and Knox College. Division III emphasizes the student-athlete experience over revenue generation, creating tight-knit teams that balance academics with competition. The school's One Course At A Time schedule actually works well for athletes since they can fully focus on their sport during certain blocks without juggling multiple classes. With just 1,074 total students, Cornell's athletic programs create strong community bonds where teammates often become lifelong friends while representing the Methodist-affiliated college.