At Sweet Briar College, athletics and physical education, and recreation are an important part of the education of the total student. (See Course Descriptions) Department faculty and staff are committed to enhancing the physical, mental and emotional well-being of all students as an integral part of their educational experience. The instructional program offers a wide range of activities allowing each student to develop skills and knowledge that will contribute to a healthy lifestyle. The intercollegiate athletics program provides opportunities for competitive excellence for students with advanced skills.

Through high-quality coaching, appropriate facilities and adequate funding, student-athletes are afforded the opportunity to succeed both as individuals and as team members. In accordance with NCAA Division III philosophy, athletics complements the educational experience and priority is placed on encouraging academic success. Adherence to NCAA rules and regulations regarding amateurism, ethical conduct, and sportsmanship is emphasized. The College is also committed to providing and maintaining facilities that support the recreational and fitness needs of members of the Sweet Briar community.

The Department of Physical Education and Athletics offers a wide variety of activities for students at all levels of ability. In addition to fielding seven varsity and two club intercollegiate sport teams, the department offers instructional courses in fitness, team and individual sports, and a variety of recreational activities.

Intercollegiate Sports
The College sponsors intercollegiate varsity teams in field hockey, lacrosse, soccer, softball, swimming, and tennis, as well as the club sports of fencing, tennis, and volleyball. The College supports qualified individuals and teams in state, regional, and national competition.

The College is a member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association, the Old Dominion Athletic Conference, the Middle Atlantic Tennis Association, Virginia Intercollegiate Soccer Association, Virginia Tennis Association, the United States Tennis Association, the Virginia Intercollegiate Women’s Lacrosse Coaches, the Virginia and United States Women’s Lacrosse Associations, the Southeast, National Field Hockey Coaches and United States Field Hockey Associations, the American Volleyball Coaches Association, Intercollegiate Tennis Coaches Association, the American Swimming Coaches Association, and the College Swimming Coaches Association of America.

Recreation
The College sponsors numerous extracurricular, educational, and recreational events. Recreational events are scheduled in volleyball, basketball, biking, tennis, softball, running, swimming, aerobics, tai-chi, kickboxing, and other sports activities.

Riding Program
See program description and course listing under Riding Program.

Sweet Briar Outdoor Program
The Sweet Briar Outdoor Program (SWEBOP) is coordinated through the Office of Co-Curricular Life and the Department of Physical Education, Athletics, and Recreation. A wide variety of outdoor activities are offered including: hiking, rock climbing, whitewater canoeing, rafting, kayaking, skiing, hang-gliding, biking, caving. These programs are offered to students of all skill levels.

Physical Examination
All students are required to have had a recent physical examination, with a copy of the report on file at the Health Center.

Graduate Study in Physical Education
Students who intend to complete the requirements for the liberal arts degree at Sweet Briar and then pursue graduate work in physical education should contact the department in the first year for guidance in planning their programs.

Activity Courses
Up to five credits in physical education activity courses and/or riding program activity courses may be applied toward the degree. Instruction is provided from the beginning level through the varsity level to accommodate students of varying abilities and experience. These courses are offered to fulfill the General Education Physical Activity Requirement (IV.3) and for students who elect to continue a physical education activity. If there are extenuating circumstances limiting a student’s ability to take classes which would normally count toward fulfilling the requirement, a modified program should be set up in consultation with the department chair and the College physician. Credit is given at the rate of 0.5 hours per quarter or 1 hour per semester. Courses are offered on a rotating basis and descriptions of current courses are available from the Physical Education Athletics and Recreation Department. Activity courses are offered on a P/CR/NC grading option only.

Fitness Activity Courses
PHED 113        Walking for Fitness
PHED 117        Weight Training I
PHED 127        Spinning
PHED 128        Personal Fitness
PHED 137        Recreational Activities for Fitness
PHED 217        Weight Training II
PHED 220        Advanced Personal Fitness

Aquatics
PHED 101        Beginning Swimming
PHED 104        Swim for Fitness
PHED 105        Aquatic Fitness Activities
PHED 201        Intermediate Swimming
PHED 205        A.R.C. Lifeguard Training

Outdoor Education
PHED 125        Hiking in the Blue Ridge
PHED 126        Introduction to Caving

General Activities
PHED 118        Rape Aggression Defense
PHED 123        Relaxation and Stretching

Individual Sports
PHED 133        Introduction to Racquet Sports
PHED 135        Beginning Badminton
PHED 138        Fencing
PHED 139        Golf
PHED 146        Beginning Tennis
PHED 346        Intermediate Tennis

Team Sports
PHED 132        Softball Skills
PHED 133        Flag Football
PHED 141        Field Hockey Skills
PHED 142        Lacrosse Skills
PHED 150        Soccer Skills
PHED 322        Club Running
PHED 338        Club Fencing
PHED 348        Club Volleyball
PHED 401        Varsity Swimming Team
PHED 432        Varsity Softball Team
PHED 441        Varsity Hockey Team
PHED 442        Varsity Lacrosse Team
PHED 446        Varsity Tennis Team
PHED 450        Varsity Soccer Team

Elective Courses
These courses are graded and count toward the hours required for graduation, but they do not satisfy the General Education Physical Activity requirement.

PHED 110 (1)–Strategies for Wellness: Stress Management for Women

PHED 116 (2)–Introduction to Sport Psychology

PHED 120 (3)–Theories of Athletic Training

PHED 161 (1, 2, or 3)–Special Study

PHED 163 (3)–Nutritional Challenges of the 21st Century

PHED 164 (1)–Holistic Nutrition and Exercise

PHED 179 (3)–Introduction to Women’s Sport and Culture

PHED 221 (.5)–Advanced Personal Fitness Theory

PHED 361 (1, 2, or 3)–Special Study

PHED 377 (1, 2, or 3)–Internship

PHED 461 (1, 2, or 3)–Independent Study

Course Descriptions