Physical Education and Athletics

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Faculty

ADAM HERTZ, Director of Physical Education and Athletics
NNENNA AKOTAOBI, Associate Director of Athletics, Senior Woman Administrator
KAREN BORBEE, Professor
SUSAN P. DAVIS, Professor ¹
MICHAEL L. MULLAN, Professor
TODD ANCKAITIS, Head Coach/Instructor
PETER CARROLL, Head Coach/Instructor
HARLEIGH CHWASTYK, Head Coach/Instructor
RENEE CLARKE, Head Coach/Instructor
RENEE L. DEVARNEY, Head Coach/Instructor
LAUREN FUCHS, Head Coach/Instructor
PAT GRESS, Head Coach/Instructor
LANDRY KOSMALSKI, Head Coach/Instructor
JEREMY LOOMIS, Head Coach/Instructor
MATTHEW MIDKIFF, Head Coach/Instructor
ERIC WAGNER, Head Coach/Instructor
JIM HELLER, Head Coach (part time)
BHAVIN PARIKH, Head Coach (part time)
MARIAN FAHY, Administrative Assistant
SHARON GREEN, Administrative Assistant

¹ Absent on leave, fall 2014.

The aim of the department is to contribute to the total education of all students through the medium of physical activity. We believe this contribution can best be achieved through encouraging participation in a broad program of individual and team sports, aquatics, physical fitness, and wellness. The program provides an opportunity for instruction and experience in a variety of activities on all levels. It is our hope that participation in this program will foster an understanding of movement and the pleasure of exercise and will enhance, by practice, qualities of good sportsmanship, leadership, and cooperation in team play. Students are also encouraged to develop skill and interest in a variety of activities that can be enjoyed after graduation.

The Intercollegiate Athletics Program is comprehensive, including varsity with teams in 22 different sports: 10 for men and 12 for women.

Ample opportunities exist for large numbers of students to engage in intercollegiate competition, and those who qualify may be encouraged to participate in regional and national championship contests. Several club teams in various sports are also organized, and a program of intramural activities is sponsored.

Requirements and Recommendations

Students are encouraged to enjoy the instructional and recreational opportunities offered by the department throughout their college careers. As a requirement for graduation, all non-veteran students, not excused for medical reasons, are required to complete 4 units of physical education by the end of their sophomore year. In addition, all students must pass a survival swim test or complete one-quarter of aquatics instruction.

Students who enter Swarthmore as transfer students can either apply transfer PE units toward the 4-unit physical education requirement or opt for a reduction in the PE requirement based on the student’s transfer status, but transfer students cannot both transfer PE units and receive a reduction in the requirement. The optional reduction in PE units depends on the transfer class of the student. Transfer students who enter Swarthmore as sophomores can opt to complete 3 units of physical education and pass a survival swim test (a reduction of 1 PE unit). Transfer students who enter Swarthmore as juniors can opt to complete 2 units of physical education and pass a survival swim test (a reduction of 2 PE units).

Courses offered by the department are listed subsequently. Credit toward completion of the physical education requirement will also be given for participation in intercollegiate athletics, as well as PE Dance Courses, which are semester-long courses. Credit will also be given for participation in approved club sports and student activity groups. The approved club sports are as follows: fencing, ruby, Ultimate Frisbee, men’s volleyball and men’s badminton. The approved student activity groups are as follows: aikido, capoeira, folk dance, swing dance, tango, squash, men’s soccer and Quidditch.

Independent study for physical education is not permitted.

Physical Education and Athletics Courses

Fall

Aquatics II/III
Badminton
Basketball
Beginning Aquatics
Bowling
Cardio Tennis
Core Ball Training
Fitness Training
Gym Class Hero
Orienteering
Pilates
Step Dance Aerobics
Tennis
Volleyball
Walk, Jog, Run
Water Aerobics
Wellness Seminar

Spring

Aquatics II/III
Badminton
Basketball
Beginning Aquatics
Bowling
Cardio Tennis
Core Ball Training
Fitness Training
Pilates
Step Dance Aerobics
Table Tennis
Tennis
Walk, Jog, Run
Wellness Seminar

PE Dance Courses

These courses are offered through the Dance Department. See the Music and Dance: Dance section of the course catalog and the Swarthmore College Schedule of Courses and Seminars for fall and spring PE dance course offerings.

Intercollegiate Athletics

Fall

Men’s Cross Country
Women’s Cross Country
Field Hockey
Men’s Soccer
Women’s Soccer
Women’s Volleyball

Winter

Badminton
Men’s Basketball
Women’s Basketball
Men’s Swimming
Women’s Swimming
Men’s Indoor Track
Women’s Indoor Track

Spring

Baseball
Golf
Men’s Lacrosse
Women’s Lacrosse
Softball
Men’s Tennis
Women’s Tennis
Men’s Outdoor Track
Women’s Outdoor Track