Lafayette College Athletics

Lafayette competes in NCAA Division I, meaning serious athletic competition with scholarships and regional rivalries. With 586 athletes among 2,746 students, about 21% of the student body participates in varsity sports. The Leopards play in the Patriot League alongside other academically rigorous institutions. Lafayette's biggest rival remains Lehigh University, and their annual football matchup ranks among college football's oldest and most heated rivalries dating back to 1884. The school awards $12.9 million in athletic scholarships across 20 varsity sports. While not a powerhouse like major state schools, Lafayette maintains competitive Division I programs that blend academic excellence with athletic achievement. The intimate campus size means strong student support at games, creating a tight-knit athletic community where scholar-athletes truly represent their classmates.