Athletics[]
Twenty-four sports programs, for both men and women, participate in NCAA Division III. Gettysburg has earned the distinction of having the best win/loss record in the Centennial Conference for the past 12 years.
The Gettysburg College women's lacrosse team won the Division III National Championship in 2011. Head football coach Barry Streeter, the winningest coach in school history, is also the longest-tenured coach in the Centennial Conference, having helmed the program since 1979. He is currently tied for 24th on the All-Time Division III wins list.
The college also offers an extensive array of club, intramural, and recreational programs. Twenty-five percent of Gettysburg's students participate in intercollegiate programs, which include twelve sports for men and twelve sports for women. Although the mascot for Gettysburg College is the Bullet, there is no official Bullet mascot at sporting events.
The Center for Athletics, Recreation and Fitness[]
The College broke ground on the new $25 million athletic center, named the John F. Jaeger Center for Athletics, Recreation and Fitness, on May 30, 2008.[1] The 55,000 foot Center is an upgrade from the former athletic facility, known as the Bream/Wright/Hauser Complex. Bream/Wright/Hauser still exists next to the additions. The Center opened in stages. A dedication ceremony on April 30, 2010 marked its completion.[2] The Center was official named for the 1965 alumus John F. Jaeger on May 4, 2012.[3]
The Center features:
- A natatorium, complete with eight lanes, four warm-up lanes, and enough space for 350 seated spectators
- A 10,000 foot weight and cardio room complete with flat-screen TVs
- Additional spaces for yoga, aerobics, spinning and martial arts classes
- An upgraded training room with a Hydroworx pool
- Rock climbing walls
- A student lounge called "The Dive" [4][5]
The Center was created in order to provide more opportunities for the high percentage of students who like to maintain their fitness regimens and engage in intramural, club sports programs, and exercise classes. About 25 percent of the student body participates in varsity sports, while over 75 percent are active in intramural sports. More space was needed, and the Center is important to improve life on campus.[4]
John Jaeger, a 1965 Gettysburg College graduate, donated $1.2 million to encourage others to fund the project. Another important donor, Robert Ortenzio, provided the largest single gift by a living person in the history of the College, by giving $2 million.[4]
"Loyalty Song"[]
Gettysburg College campus
November 4, 2001
- Fair Gettysburg our Alma Mater, hear us praise thy name,
- We'll ever lend our hearts and hands to help increase thy fame.
- The honor of old Gettysburg calls forth our loyalty.
- So cheer (Rah! Rah!) old G'burg's Bullets on to victory!
However, another rendition exists with a few differences and is the one currently in use:
- Hail Gettysburg our Alma Mater, help us praise thy name.
- We'll ever lend our hearts and hands to help increase thy fame.
- The honor of old Gettysburg calls forth our loyalty,
- So cheer (Rah! Rah!) our G'burg Bullets on to fight for victory!
- ↑ Murphy, Jan. "Gettysburg College will break ground on $25 million athletic facility". Penn Live. Penn Live. http://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2008/05/gettysburg_college_to_break_gr.html. Retrieved 12 May 2014.
- ↑ "Gettysburg College to dedicate new athletic center, add name to its Benefactors Wall". News @ Gettysburg. Gettysburg College. 27 April 2010. http://www.gettysburg.edu/news_events/press_release_detail.dot?id=fc024223-fd6f-4c59-9fce-57984b0ceca3. Retrieved 12 May 2014.
- ↑ Gettysburg College (May 2, 2012). "Center set for Naming Ceremony". http://www.gettysburgsports.com/news/2012/5/2/GEN_0502124542.aspx. Retrieved May 16, 2012.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Gettysburg Alumni Page, Gettysburg College's alumni page description of the Center.
- ↑ Gettysburg Sports Page, Gettysburg College's sports page.