Taft College Athletics

Taft College competes as an independent in eight varsity sports without offering athletic scholarships. About 4.3% of the 3,216 students participate in athletics across 138 total roster spots. Independent status means the Cougars don't belong to a formal conference and must schedule games individually with other community colleges. This setup is common for smaller two-year schools that want to offer sports without the structure and travel costs of conference membership. The college's athletic program serves primarily as a stepping stone for students looking to transfer to four-year universities. With a 24:1 student-faculty ratio, the intimate campus allows coaches to work closely with student-athletes on both their sport and academic preparation for transfer.