Physical Education and Athletics

Courses

Faculty

ADAM HERTZ, Associate Vice President, Marian Ware Director of Athletics, Recreation, Physical Education

NNENNA AKOTAOBI, Associate Director of Athletics, Senior Woman Administrator, Deputy Title IX Coordinator

MAXWELL MILLER, Assistant Director of Athletics for Recreation and Wellness
KAREN BORBEE, Professor

JASON BOX, Head Coach/Instructor
HANNAH R. ALLISON, Head Coach/Instructor
TODD ANCKAITIS, Head Coach/Instructor
PETER CARROLL, Head Coach/Instructor
HARLEIGH CHWASTYK, Head Coach/Instructor
KARIN COLBY, Head Coach/Instructor
RENEE L. DEVARNEY, Head Coach/Instructor

MELISSA FINLEY, 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

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 (max 2). The approved club sports are as follows: fencing, rugby, Ultimate Frisbee, and men’s badminton. The approved student activity groups are as follows: aerobics, aikido, capoeira, folk dance, swing dance, tango, squash, men’s soccer, coed volleyball, Wing Chun Self Defense.

Under ordinary circumstances, physical education credit will not be awarded for independent study.