Williams is a member of Division III in the NCAA. Within Division III, our school is a part of the NESCAC (New England Small College Athletics Conference). We are one of the most successful Division III athletic programs in the country. In fact, Williams has won the Director’s Cup in 22 of the last 24 years it has been awarded. The Director’s Cup is an award for best all-around post-season competition.

Williams is a very active campus. Approximately 60% of all Williams students participate in at least one varsity, JV or club team (with approximately one-third of students playing at the varsity level). We have 32 varsity teams, 5 JV teams, 16 club teams and many intramural teams. Any student can get involved in sports here if they're interested; athletics at Williams is a very open, friendly, and non- exclusive culture

We have a policy at Williams called Division of the Day. All classes end by 3:50 p.m., and sports practices begin after 4:00 p.m. Athletes never have to choose between class and practice. Coaches understand that academics come first for all students.
There are state of the art facilities like the swimming pool, Chandler Gymnasium, Towne Field House and the Simon Squash Center. The new Weston Field Complex brought radical changes not only to the football field and varsity track but also to the adjacent Renzie Lamb Field, home to the college's field hockey and lacrosse programs. There are new grandstand bleachers, athletic offices and concession stands.

Lasell Gymnasium was built in 1866, and is the oldest operating gym in the country. Today, Lasell’s athletic facilities include a weight room, and the upstairs gym with cardio machines, free weights and rowing ergs.

Williams also supports wellness and unlimited access to the outdoors for all students, including yoga, meditation classes, hiking, winter activities, and much more.

Greater Williamstown has over 100 miles of hiking trails and is a great place for outdoor exploration. The Williams Outing Club (WOC) is actually the largest student organization on campus. At a flat-rate membership of $10 per year, students:
•Have access to daily buses to local ski mountains during the month of January.
•Borrow equipment.
•Buy affordable seasonal ski passes.
•Take a wide variety of adventure classes.
•Reserve a cabin in Hopkins Forest.
•Partake in sunrise hikes/polar bear swims.

One highlight of the fall semester at Williams is Mountain Day! Mountain Day traditionally happens on one of the first three Fridays in October, at the President’s discretion. No one is told ahead of time which Friday Mountain Day will land on, and the morning it is announced, classes are canceled for the day and WOC plans a day of outdoor festivities:
•An all-campus picnic
•A team adventure race
•Hikes to Stone Hill, Mount Greylock and Stony Ledge that culminate with a cappella singing and hot cider and doughnuts (college provides accessibility vans for students unable to hike)
•An evening polar bear swim