Ninabella Arlis (C’26) is a senior pursuing a joint degree between the College of Arts and Science and the McDonough School of Business. Originally from Illinois, she enjoys journalism, pickleball and theatre.
When people think about athletics at Georgetown, varsity teams often come to mind first: basketball games at Capital One Arena, Hoya football jerseys and Big East energy. But for the majority of students on campus, sports look very different.
You don’t have to be a varsity athlete to stay active at Georgetown.
Intramurals: Competitive, but Low Commitment
For me, intramurals have been a way to keep playing the sports I grew up with while also trying new ones. I played volleyball in high school, so leading a team felt natural, but Georgetown’s intramural culture also makes it surprisingly easy to jump into something you’ve never played seriously.
Over the past few semesters, friends have invited me to join their soccer and basketball teams, which is part of the fun. You don’t have to commit to just one sport or even be especially good at it. Sometimes the team forms because someone sends a message in a group chat saying, “We need one more player.” That’s kind of the whole appeal — there’s no tryout, no season-long obligation, and the stakes are low enough that showing up and having fun is genuinely the point.
Games are usually held in the evenings, which means they fit your class schedule without taking over your life. They even continue into the summer, if you stay on campus or around DC! The competition ranges from genuinely intense to strictly just-for-fun. Some teams take it very seriously to be gloriously chaotic, depending on who you’re playing. Either way, it’s one of the best ways to decompress mid-week.
Club Sports: The Middle Ground
Club sports occupy an interesting space between intramurals and varsity. These teams are student-run, which means students handle everything from scheduling practices to coordinating travel for weekend competitions against other universities. The time commitment is real, including regular practices, road trips, team dynamics, but so is the payoff. Club sports tend to attract students who were competitive in high school and want to keep that rhythm going without the full demands of Division I athletics.
Georgetown has a wide range of club teams, from rugby and rowing to ultimate frisbee and fencing, so there’s usually something that fits whatever sport you came in with or want to try.
The Gym: Yates Field House
For students who prefer solo workouts or pickup games, Yates Field House is the place to go. From basketball, tennis, and squash courts to a pool to both indoor and outdoor tracks, Yates offers a wide range of ways to stay active.
Because the space is used for intramurals, club sports and open recreation, it becomes one of the most social places on campus. It’s common to walk in planning to lift weights and end up joining a spontaneous pickup basketball game.
One of the changes I’ve appreciated most during my time on the Hilltop is that group fitness classes became free, included with the automatic recreation membership all undergraduates get. Before, there was an added cost that made it easy to skip. Now there’s no reason not to try something new. I’ve taken jazzercise, spinning, yoga and strength classes.
The classes are also a low-pressure way to add structure to your week without having to build a workout routine from scratch. You show up, follow along and leave feeling like you actually did something. For anyone who finds the open gym a little intimidating at first, it’s a great entry point.
Whether you’re looking for a competitive outlet, a way to decompress mid-week or just a reason to leave the library, Georgetown has something for you. The best part is that none of it requires a tryout, a roster spot or even a plan. Sometimes all it takes is saying yes when someone asks if you want to join their team.
