<p>Redbull:</p>
<p>There is a strong correlation between certain mens sports teams and drinking crowd at Swarthmore. For example, virtually all of membership of the two fraternities are “jocks”. There is an ambivalence about the frat house party scene. It’s not so much antagonism as amusement. And, the “frat scene” at Swarthmore exists as more of a parody than anything else.</p>
<p>The reality is that 1 out of every 5 Swatties is on a varsity sports team. Furthermore, there is very little self-segregation in campus housing, so you don’t have “jock dorms”. There are athletes mixed with non-athletes on virtually every hall of every dorm and there’s no difference. Several of the senior guys on my daughter’s floor are varsity lacrosse players. They have been terrific informal role models, mentors, and friends to the freshmen. A very positive experience.</p>
<p>I think that an athlete who expects the more typical segregation of sports teams as a “clique” separate from the larger college community probably won’t be a good fit at Swarthmore. Sports teams that have isolated themselves from the larger community have created some tension in the past. For example, at one time in the late 70s and early 80s, Swarthmore had a very successful football program. After an undefeated conference-winning season, the coach was fired. There was a sense that, largely as a result of recruiting, the football team was growing further apart from the campus community and developing a culture that really didn’t fit with Swarthmore.</p>