Student Athletics
LET’S GO, FIREBIRDS!
Why sacrifice anything? At Carthage, it’s possible to keep playing the sport you love and get a first-rate education at the same time. More than one-third of the students here compete in our championship-caliber NCAA Division III athletic program.
“Being on the men’s volleyball team has provided me with many different experiences, like my first trip to New York. Being on a national championship team also allowed me to experience how much the community here at Carthage cares about our athletics.” — Justin Girodat ’24
The Firebirds pile up victories in 28 varsity sports, including 13 women’s teams and a coed esports squad. Carthage student-athletes have shown it’s possible to balance athletic and academic commitments, even in time-intensive majors like nursing, athletic training, and neuroscience.
Newcomers quickly discover there’s nothing third-class about D-III competition. It takes our teams’ best to win in the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin. We’re especially proud of the 26 trophies our student-athletes have brought home as team and individual national champions.
Coaches often organize out-of-state trips during breaks to boost team chemistry and tune up for the season. Carthage student-athletes go on to become some of our most loyal alumni: established professionals who are eager to mentor and even hire fellow graduates, knowing the dedication they bring.
Start Exploring
“We’re a D-III program that provides student-athletes with a first-class experience that feels like D-I. Carthage has struck the right balance between competing at a championship level and setting the environment for learning.”
— Ryan Kane, Director of Athletics