Department of Athletics
In Opening Day of Trial, Prosecutors Say Ex-Harvard Fencing Coach Traded Recruiting Spots for Payments as Part of a ‘Stream of Bribes’
Federal prosecutors on Monday told a jury that Harvard’s former longtime fencing coach, Peter Brand, leveraged his team’s recruiting spots for more than $1.5 million in bribes from a wealthy Maryland businessman who was desperate to get his sons admitted to the College.
Harvard Students Travel to Providence for Football Game Against Brown
Harvard’s football team faced off against Brown last week, bringing home a win 35-28. Droves of Harvard students traveled by train to party at tailgates, watch the football game, and visit friends in Providence, R.I.
Harvard’s Century-Old Boathouses to Undergo Renovations
Harvard will commence renovations on its historic Weld and Newell Boathouses this year in what is planned to be the most significant update to the buildings since their construction more than a century ago.
Harvard Athletics Director Discusses Student-Athlete Inclusion in Larger Student Body
Following a 2020 Athletics Department review that found many student-athletes feel a disconnect with the broader student body, the Athletic Department wants to boost the interaction between student-athletes and the rest of campus, according to Harvard Athletics Director Erin McDermott.
‘I Don’t Think I’ve Seen People More Happy to Practice in My Life’: Harvard Athletics Director Reflects on Return to Campus
Harvard Athletics Director Erin McDermott said in a Friday interview that the full return to in-person athletics has “meant everything” for student-athletes.
Student-Athletes Report Mixed Experiences with Another Season Marred by Covid-19
Harvard athletics resurrected last fall with a full competition schedule after a four-season hiatus. Since the long-awaited return, Harvard’s varsity student-athletes have reported mixed experiences practicing and playing during a pandemic.
Harvard Closes Sporting Events to Public as Covid Cases Soar
Harvard announced Tuesday that home sporting events will be closed to the general public until Jan. 23 due to rapidly-rising Covid-19 case rates.
BGLTQ+ Athletes
Keely N. Moy '22, a hockey player at Harvard, is one of four athletes who created an ally group to support BGLTQ-identifying student athletes this year.
Harvard Athletics Director Argues NCAA’s Name, Image, and Likeness Policy Aligns with Department’s Principles
Harvard Athletics Director Erin McDermott said in an interview Thursday that she believes the recent rule change to allow athletes to profit off their name, image, and likeness helps to equalize student athletes and all other students at the College.
Athletics Covid Policies
Beginning Oct. 15, all spectators at indoor athletics events — including those held at the Malkin Athletic Center — must provide proof of vaccination or a negative Covid-19 test.
Athletics to Require Proof of Vaccination, Negative Test for Spectators at Indoor Home Contests
Attendees of all indoor athletic events will have to present proof of full vaccination or a negative Covid-19 test beginning Oct. 15, according to a new policy set by Harvard Athletics.
Following NCAA Ruling, Harvard Student Athletes Secure Sponsorship Deals
In the wake of the National Collegiate Athletic Association’s new policy allowing student athletes to profit off their brand image, Harvard athletes are taking advantage by inking sponsorship deals with local and national brands.
‘A Turning Point’: Harvard Hikes Testing Requirements Amid Campus Covid-19 Surge
Harvard increased the frequency of coronavirus testing for affiliates living in undergraduate housing Thursday, citing a surge of new cases less than two weeks since students returned to campus and on the third day of classes.
Athletes to Submit Additional Covid Tests Under Policy Allowing Maskless Competition
Harvard will require its student athletes to undergo additional Covid-19 testing as the College resumes athletics competition this fall.
In Historic First, Student-Athletes Can Now Profit Off of Name, Image, and Likeness
Harvard student-athletes may receive compensation for the use of their name, image, and likeness for the first time, the Ivy League announced Thursday, changing its rules to align with a new interim policy from the National Collegiate Athletic Association.
Analysis: Supreme Court Ruling in Student-Athlete Case, Though Narrow, ‘Opens the Door’ for Broader Change
The Supreme Court unanimously ruled Monday that student-athletes can receive incremental increases to their education-related compensation packages, but the ruling will likely have minimal effects on Harvard athletics.
Ivy League to Resume Athletics Competition in Fall, Presidents Announce
After more than a year without Ivy League athletics due to the coronavirus pandemic, the league is expected to resume a full competition schedule in fall 2021, the Ivy League Council of Presidents announced in a joint statement Tuesday.
Harvard Athletics Director McDermott Rules Out Local Non-Conference Play Before Fall Semester
Harvard varsity sports teams will not participate in any organized competition — including local non-conference competition — before the fall semester, Harvard Athletics Director Erin McDermott said in an interview Wednesday.
Harvard University Native American Program Celebrates 50th Anniversary, Plans for the Future
As the Harvard University Native American Program celebrates its 50th anniversary this year, program affiliates said they aim to continue and grow its mission to support Indigenous students on campus in the years to come.
Following Ivy League Policy Shift, Harvard Athletics Helps Athletes Navigate Grad School Admissions Process
In light of the Ivy League’s sudden policy change allowing senior student athletes to compete next year as graduate students, Harvard Athletics is supporting interested athletes by answering informational questions and writing recommendation letters, according to Athletics Director Erin McDermott.
Harvard Athletics Director Erin McDermott Says Fall Competition Likely, Outlines Possible Scenarios
In an interview Wednesday, Harvard Director of Athletics Erin McDermott laid out three possible scenarios for the fall 2021 athletics season: conference-only competition, expanded Ivy League and regional competition, or full competition including long-distance, non-conference play.
Bacow, Gay Weigh In On Ivy League Decisions and Fall Athletics Planning in Webinar with Student Athletes
University President Lawrence S. Bacow and Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences Claudine Gay explained Ivy League decisions regarding athletics competition amid the coronavirus pandemic to Harvard student athletes in a Zoom webinar Tuesday.
Ivy League Cancels Spring Sports Season (Again) Due to Covid-19
The Ivy League will not hold a spring sports season, the Ivy League presidents announced Thursday, nearly one year after the conference first canceled athletics competition as a result of the coronavirus crisis.
‘Too Little, Too Late’: Ivy League Decision Allowing Senior Student Athletes to Compete as Grad Students Draws Mixed Reactions
Harvard College student athletes reacted with surprise, gratitude, and skepticism to the Ivy League’s decision Thursday to allow current senior student athletes to compete as graduate students next year, in a reversal of a longstanding League policy barring graduate students from competition.