The University of Olivet Athletics

Olivet fields 26 varsity teams competing in NCAA Division III, where sports focus on personal development rather than athletic scholarships. With 652 total athletes out of 918 students, an impressive 71% of the campus participates in varsity athletics. The Comets compete in the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association alongside regional rivals like Alma College and Hope College. Division III emphasizes the student-athlete experience without the pressure of athletic scholarships or massive stadiums. Nearly three-quarters of students being varsity athletes creates an unusually sports-focused campus culture for a small liberal arts college. The high participation rate means athletics serve as a major social connector and campus identity builder. Most students either compete themselves or closely follow their classmates' teams throughout the academic year.