Hobart and William Smith Colleges Athletics: A Legacy of Excellence

Hobart and William Smith Colleges (HWS) is a private liberal arts college located in Geneva, New York, tracing its origins to the Geneva Academy established in 1797. The institution comprises Hobart College for men and William Smith College for women, sharing a common history and campus but maintaining distinct traditions. This article will explore the rich athletic history and current landscape of Hobart and William Smith Colleges, highlighting their achievements, teams, facilities, and commitment to the scholar-athlete ideal.

Institutional Overview

Hobart and William Smith Colleges began as the Geneva Academy in 1796 in what was then a small frontier settlement. After facing setbacks, the academy reopened as Geneva College in 1822, thanks to support from Bishop John Henry Hobart and Trinity Church in New York City. William Smith College was founded in 1908 by William Smith, a local nurseryman and philanthropist, who sought to establish a nonsectarian women's college. Although William Smith College was initially a department of Hobart College, it gained formal recognition as an independent, co-equal college in 1943.

The colleges' campus spans 170 acres along Seneca Lake in Geneva, New York. The architecture is notable for its Jacobean Gothic style, exemplified by buildings like Coxe Hall, which houses the President's Office. The Hobart campus centers around the Quad, while the William Smith campus features the Hill, home to historic William Smith dormitories.

A Tradition of Athletic Success

Hobart and William Smith Colleges have a long and storied athletic tradition. Together, the Statesmen and Herons have secured 26 team national championships and over 100 conference championships. Their athletes have earned numerous All-America awards and all-conference honors, as well as academic accolades, including over 60 Academic All-America awards.

The colleges are members of Division III of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), competing in this division in all sports except Hobart lacrosse. Since 1995, the Hobart lacrosse team has competed at the Division I level.

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Varsity Teams

Hobart currently fields 15 varsity teams:

Alpine Skiing
Baseball
Basketball
Cross Country
Football
Golf
Ice Hockey
Lacrosse
Rowing
Sailing
Soccer
Squash
Swim & Dive
Tennis
Volleyball

William Smith also has 15 varsity teams:

Alpine Skiing
Basketball
Bowling
Cross Country
Field Hockey
Golf
Ice Hockey
Lacrosse
Rowing
Sailing
Soccer
Squash
Swimming and Diving
Tennis
Volleyball

The Hobart Statesmen and William Smith Herons compete in the Liberty League, known for its commitment to academic and athletic excellence.

Recent Athletic Highlights

The Statesmen and Herons have achieved significant athletic success in recent years, including:

Hobart Hockey: The team secured three consecutive national championships in 2023, 2024 and 2025.
William Smith Soccer: The team reached the national championship game in 2024 for the first time since 2019.
Hobart Football: In the fall of 2024, the team went undefeated in Liberty League play for the first time since 2014, earning its 11th NCAA playoff appearance.
William Smith Cross Country: The team captured its third-straight Cross Country Only Conference Championship in 2024.
During the 2023-24 academic year, the Hobart and William Smith soccer teams and the William Smith Field hockey team all won the Liberty League Championships on the same day.
Nick Sessions ’24 won the Middle Atlantic Inter-Collegiate Sailing Association’s Men’s Singlehanded championship and the William Smith cross country team won the Cross Country Only Conference championship.
Hobart basketball and William Smith squash captured the Liberty League Championship in 2024.
William Smith lacrosse made it to the national semifinals for the second straight year in 2024.

Individual Achievements

Several Hobart and William Smith athletes have achieved individual recognition for their athletic prowess. Ali Marpet, an offensive linesman for Hobart football, was drafted in the second round (61st overall) of the 2015 NFL draft, marking the highest-drafted pick in Division III football history. Marpet was a three-time All-Liberty League first team selection (2012, 2013, 2014) and the 2014 Liberty League Co-Offensive Player of the Year, the first offensive lineman to receive this honor.

Read also: HWS Colleges Expenses

Athletic Facilities

Hobart and William Smith Colleges provide a range of athletic facilities to support their varsity, club, and intramural sports programs. The Department of Recreation, Intramurals, and Fitness operates out of an 83,000-square-foot multi-purpose facility, featuring:

A fitness center and weight room
A group fitness and indoor cycling room
An indoor track
A full-size artificial playing field convertible to tennis and basketball courts

The Robert A. Bristol Field House, built in 1989, adjoins the Elliott Varsity House and the Dr. Frank P.

Club Sports and Recreation

In addition to varsity athletics, Hobart and William Smith Colleges offer a variety of club sports and recreational programs. Club sports offerings vary each year and may include:

Alpine Skiing
Baseball
Basketball
Equestrian
Fencing
Field Hockey
Ice Hockey
Lacrosse
Rugby
Soccer
Track and Field
Volleyball
Ultimate Frisbee

The Outdoor Recreation Adventure Program (ORAP) provides structured and unstructured recreational opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts, including courses, clinics, and outings in activities like hiking, backpacking, kayaking, ice climbing, Nordic skiing, spelunking, and rock climbing. Physical education classes are also available, designed to develop skills in activities that can be performed throughout one's life.

The Scholar-Athlete Ideal

Hobart and William Smith Colleges emphasize the importance of balancing athletic pursuits with academic achievement. The colleges are proud members of the Liberty League, which promotes the scholar-athlete ideal. HWS believes that participating in sports is a key aspect of a stellar education. The colleges' athletic programs are designed to foster personal growth, teamwork, and leadership skills, while also providing opportunities for students to excel in their chosen sports.

Read also: HWS Job Opportunities

Recruiting

For students interested in joining the Hobart and William Smith Men's Soccer program, it is important to make contact with key personnel, including:

Head Coach Shawn Griffin
Assistant Coach Jacob Fox
Assistant Coach Joe Kennedy
Assistant Coach Rob Brandell

NCSA (Next College Student Athlete) provides student athletes with the information and tools they need to enhance their chances of being recruited. Creating a highly-visible, professional quality recruiting profile is crucial for success.

Financial Aspects of Athletics

The annual average salary for coaches of women’s teams is $32,557, while the average for coaches of men’s teams is $41,126. The athletic program at Hobart and William Smith Colleges aims to break even, ensuring that resources are allocated effectively to support all sports.

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