Tufts University is represented by 28 varsity athletics teams. The Jumbos of Tufts compete in the New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC), which was founded in 1971. Since its inception, the NESCAC has grown to be the standard for NCAA Division III student-athletes across the United States. The conference is made up of 11 of the top academic and athletic small colleges and universities in New England– Tufts University, Amherst College, Williams College, Middlebury College, Bowdoin College, Trinity College, Wesleyan University, Hamilton College, Bates College, Colby College, and Connecticut College.
Tufts has seen an incredible amount of success from its teams and individual athletes throughout its history. Since the NESCAC began sponsoring conference championships in 1999, the Jumbos have won a total of 55 NESCAC championships, including 7 during the 2019-2020 season. Beyond the NESCAC, Tufts has won an impressive 11 team NCAA National Championships, along with 55 Individual NCAA National Championships
Student-athletes at Tufts not only excel on the grid iron, but in the classroom as well. Over the last three years, Tufts student-athletes have averaged a 3.47 GPA. During the 2018-2019 school year, a total of 293 Tufts student-athletes earned Academic All-NESCAC status, with each individual earning a 3.5 GPA or higher, including 148 student-athletes with perfect 4.0 GPAs.
Each year every institution across the United States with teams participating in the NCAA at the Division I, II, and III level are ranked in the Learfield IMG College Director’s Cup. The Director’s Cup awards points in a pre-determined number of sports for men and women based on record, standings and championships. Tufts University ranked 2nd out of 189 eligible Division III NCAA Colleges and Universities for the Fall 2019 season. Tufts finished 7th overall in the 2018-2019 season, with three other NESCAC schools finishing inside the top 10.
At Tufts, students can be seen donning the ‘Brown and Blue’ colors in support of their peers. The legend of Jumbo the elephant is passed down amongst teammates. Facilities are constantly updated to offer state-of-the-art training and resources to the athletes. To be a student athlete in the NESCAC is an experience unlike any other. There is a mutual respect among student-athletes and alumni across the conference, as well as a shared passion for our respective institutions.
The Tufts University Athletics Mission: WE ARE JUMBO PRIDE. Tufts Athletics gives our student-athletes a dynamic, transformational experience that begins on the playing field and continues throughout their lives. Jumbo athletes strive for excellence on and off the field. They experience the joy and personal growth inherent in high-level competition while cultivating lifelong connections with teammates, the Tufts community and the world around us. EXCELLENCE IS BROWN AND BLUE
NESCAC Championships
Women’s Softball (11)
Men’s Lacrosse (9)
Men’s Baseball (6)
Men’s Track & Field (5)
Women’s Track & Field (4)
Men’s Cross Country (4)
Men’s Tennis (3)
Men’s Soccer (2)
Women’s Cross Country (1)
Women’s Soccer (1)
Women’s Volleyball (1)
Men’s Basketball (1)
Women’s Basketball (1)
Men’s Swimming & Diving (1)
NCAA National Championships by Year
2019 – Men’s Soccer
2018 – Men’s Soccer
2016 – Men’s Soccer
2015 – Men’s Lacrosse, Women’s Softball
2014 – Men’s Lacrosse, Women’s Softball, Men’s Soccer
2013 – Women’s Softball
2012 – Women’s Field Hockey
2010 – Men’s Lacrosse