Physical education classes and the recreation, sports, and fitness programs offered by OPERS provide a variety of interesting and challenging activities in which you are invited to participate. The emphasis is on opportunities to develop knowledge, skills, and habits related to wellness that last through a lifetime of enjoyable physical and recreational activity.
You can obtain further information about the programs described below from the Office of Physical Education, Recreation, and Sports located at the East Field House, (831) 459-2531. See OPERS.
Physical Education Courses
Physical Education offers students an opportunity to learn and improve skills in a variety of areas while gaining knowledge about the relationship between fitness and wellness. With these experiences, students are more equipped to make important choices leading to healthy lifestyles.
Regularly scheduled courses, which carry no academic credit but are recorded on your transcript, are available in a broad range of physical activities (see Physical Education). Many classes are small, and all offer expert instruction and welcoming environments. Students may enroll in as many courses as they desire and are permitted to repeat any course. While many of the courses are for students at the beginning level, some are designed for the more advanced student.
Subjects offered include swimming, scuba, sailing, rowing, kayaking, basketball, racquetball, tennis, volleyball, ballet, folk dance, jazz dance, modern dance, fencing, soccer, tai chi chuan, strength training, fitness and conditioning, yoga, aikido, and more. See the Physical Education website for more information.
Intramural Sports
Intramural Sports offers a wide collection of recreational and competitive activities designed to encourage participation for all eligible people to play on campus. The program prides itself on sportsmanship, inclusion, and justice.
Intramurals are structured for different skill levels and are conducted in a safe, supervised environment. You do not need to be an experienced athlete to play! Intramural Sports are open to all UC Santa Cruz students, faculty, staff, and alumni or community members with current memberships. Intramural Sports are a fun way to play, meet friends, learn new sports, test physical ability, and relieve the stress of daily routines. Most activities allow you to select the days and times you play, as well as the people on your team. See the Intramural Sports website for more information.
Sports Clubs
UCSC Sports Clubs are split into two separate categories: Competitive Sports Clubs and Recreational Sports Clubs. Competitive Sports Clubs compete against other universities in sanctioned leagues, tournaments and matches. Non-Competitive Sports Clubs either have two or less competitions per year or their focus is entirely at the recreational level. See the OPERS website for more information.
Intercollegiate Athletics
UC Santa Cruz offers the only National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division III program in the UC system. As a Division III member, the program offers no scholarships or grants in aid that are based on athletic ability. UCSC sponsors the following intercollegiate sports: men's and women's basketball, soccer, swimming and diving, tennis, volleyball, cross country, track, and women’s golf. For information on teams, rosters, schedules, and the Slug Booster Club, see Go Slugs.
Recreation Program
The Recreation Program is designed to provide the UCSC community with an opportunity to gain skills, have fun, be challenged, and make personal connections through outdoor, recreational, and hands-on learning experiences. We offer a wide range of courses that provide opportunities for beginners as well as more experienced participants. You can expect well-organized classes, activities, and informal teaching. Be prepared to be active and involved. Courses are led by recreation instructors and UCSC student leaders. Student leaders make up the foundation of the Recreation Program, bringing experience and enthusiasm to the programs they lead.
The Equipment Rental Center offers recreational equipment including surfboards, wetsuits, and high-quality backpacking and camping gear. If you are interested in planning your own outing, contact the Recreation Program Office for assistance. The office also provides bicycle licensing and offers a free weekly drop-in bicycle maintenance program. Open recreation hours are scheduled quarterly; you are strongly encouraged to use the facilities. Sports equipment may be borrowed without charge. See the Recreation Calendar for activities offered, and see the Recreation website for more information.
Banana Slug Mascot
The Banana Slug, a bright yellow indigenous gastropod found in the campus’s redwood forest, was the unofficial mascot for UCSC’s coed teams beginning in the university’s early years. In 1981, when some campus teams wanted more organized participation in extramural competition, UCSC joined Division III of the NCAA. Since the application required an official team name, UCSC’s then-chancellor polled the student players, and out of this small group emerged a consensus for a new moniker—the sea lions. It was a choice that the chancellor considered more dignified and suitable to serious play than the Banana Slugs. But the new name did not find favor with the majority of students, who continued to root for the Slugs even after a sea lion was painted in the middle of the basketball floor. After five years of dealing with the two-mascot problem, an overwhelming pro-Slug straw vote by students in 1986 convinced the chancellor to make the lowly but beloved Banana Slug UCSC’s official mascot.
Facilities
To make it convenient for you to utilize campus physical education, recreation, and sports facilities, field houses are located on the east and west sides of the campus. Both the East Field House and the West Field House offer a gymnasium, tennis courts, outdoor basketball and volleyball courts, and locker rooms. The East Field House also has the Wellness Center, which offers two floors of cardiovascular and strength-training equipment, a dance studio, the martial arts room, handball/racquetball courts, 50-meter swimming pool, half-mile jogging path, and sports fields. An outdoor strength-training and cardiovascular-fitness court is located near the east jogging track. In addition, personal training and drop-in fitness classes are offered through FitLife. More information is available on the FitLife website.
The UCSC Community Boating Center is located on FF Dock at the Santa Cruz Small Craft Harbor. The boating program offers PE instruction as well as a boating club with boat usage for students and community members alike. Boating courses are offered for dinghies, 24'–32' keel boats, sea kayaks, and rowing shells. See boating.