The Bates Scholar-Athlete Society makes clear our commitment to the scholar-athlete ideal.

The Society includes seniors nominated by their coaches who have compiled a 3.5 grade point average or have received a special nomination from faculty and staff for distinguished academic achievement in their junior and senior years.

Bates is uncommon in that nearly half its students participate in 30 varsity sports. Bates teams compete in the New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) with schools like Amherst, Bowdoin, Colby, Connecticut College, Hamilton, Middlebury, Trinity, Tufts, Wesleyan and Williams, as well as with teams from other colleges and universities.