Kalamazoo College Athletics

The Hornets compete in NCAA Division III, where sports focus on personal growth rather than athletic scholarships or packed stadiums. With 405 total athletes across 18 varsity sports, about 34% of Kalamazoo's 1,175 students participate in athletics. The college competes in the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association, one of the oldest conferences in the country, facing regional rivals like Hope College and Alma College. Kalamazoo has historically been competitive in swimming and diving, tennis, and cross country. The MIAA emphasizes the scholar-athlete ideal, fitting perfectly with Kalamazoo's academic rigor and the K-Plan's emphasis on experiential learning. Student-athletes here balance competition with study abroad requirements and senior projects, embodying the liberal arts approach to college sports.