Roger Williams University Athletics

Roger Williams competes in NCAA Division III, where sports focus on personal development rather than athletic scholarships. The Hawks field 23 varsity teams with 525 total athletes, meaning about 13% of the 3,957 students participate in varsity athletics. The university belongs to the Conference of New England, competing against regional rivals in basketball, soccer, and sailing. RWU has built a particularly strong sailing program that takes advantage of its waterfront location on Mount Hope Bay. The Hawks also compete in traditional New England sports like lacrosse and field hockey. Division III emphasizes the student-athlete experience without the pressure of athletic scholarships, allowing players to compete while focusing on academics. The athletic program reflects the university's intimate scale with its 12:1 student-faculty ratio extending to personalized coaching relationships.