Tufts University Athletics

Tufts competes in NCAA Division III, meaning sports focus on personal development rather than professional preparation, with no athletic scholarships available. With 876 athletes out of 6,804 total students, roughly 13% of the campus participates in varsity athletics across 26 different sports. The Jumbos play in the competitive New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC), widely considered one of the strongest D3 conferences in the country. NESCAC rivals include Williams, Middlebury, and Bowdoin, creating intense matchups despite the academic focus. Tufts has traditionally been strong in sailing, lacrosse, and soccer. The elephant mascot Jumbo, adopted in the 1880s after P.T. Barnum donated his famous circus elephant to the university, remains one of college sports' most unique symbols.