Physical Education

Professor Valerie Townsend, department chair

Professors Ferguson, Katsiaficas, Morgan¹, Pericolosi², Reynolds, Rodriguez, Scanlon, Swartz, Townsend
Athletic Trainer and Professor Jones
Associate Professors Gowdy, Queener³
Assistant Professors Bickham, Walsh, Williams, Woo
Diamante Nkielo, academic coordinator

Pomona College is committed to the provision of competitive opportunities through intercollegiate, club and intramural sports programs and to developmental opportunities through instructional and recreational activities. Students are encouraged to consider sports and physical activity participation at all levels as a significant and vital part of the college experience.

The College recognizes that participation in physical education, intercollegiate athletics and campus-sponsored recreational activities encourages the development of positive values and provides opportunities for social growth and community building. Furthermore, such experiences provide students with specific knowledge in the areas of physical fitness, body awareness, skill acquisition and nutrition. Participation in these activities sets the stage for adoption of a healthy lifestyle that contributes to student wellness and success in college, as well as providing a foundation for optimal health in life after college.

Students are required to complete two physical activity courses to graduate, with the first during their first year at the College, and are especially encouraged to take one of the courses in lifetime sports, team sports and/or fitness classes. (Students admitted as transfer students are required to take only one physical education course.) Participation on an intercollegiate athletic team is counted as completing one activity class for each season of participation.

Students may enroll in an elective program of physical education in either the activity class program or the program of intercollegiate athletics; each carries Physical Education credit. Students are also encouraged to participate in intramural, club and recreation offerings; these do not carry Physical Education credit.

¹On leave Fall 2024	² On leave Spring 2025	³ On leave 2024-25

Courses

The aim of the Physical Education activity course program is to provide instructional opportunities in lifetime sports and fitness activities. Classes are coeducational and include adapted P.E., aerobics, badminton, ballroom dance, basketball, cardio kickboxing, circuit training, core training, hip-hop, fencing, fitness, flag football, golf, hiking/geocaching, horseback riding, jogging, karate, lifeguard certification, outdoor leadership, pickleball, pilates, playground games, soccer, social dance, swimming, table tennis, tennis, triathalon training, TRX fitness training, ultimate frisbee, weight training, wellness and yoga.

Independent courses in physical education may be arranged for students who wish to develop an understanding of the significant concepts of physical education, sport, athletics and recreation. These courses may provide a background for further study and for exploring career possibilities in physical education and occupational therapy, athletic training, sport administration, public and private recreation, therapeutic recreation or athletic coaching.

Course Fees

A small number of Physical Education courses require class fees in order to meet instructional, facility and/or equipment costs. Students who qualify for need-based financial aid are eligible for Pomona grant assistance to cover Pomona PE course fees. Fees for PE courses taken at other Claremont Colleges are not covered by Pomona grant assistance. Students should contact the Financial Aid Office to request Pomona grant assistance to cover Pomona PE course fees.

Intercollegiate Athletics

Intercollegiate athletics represent an important educational component within the wide range of learning experiences provided by the College. Students may sign up for physical education credit for participation on the following intercollegiate teams. For women: basketball, cross country, golf, lacrosse, soccer, softball, swimming and diving, tennis, track and field, volleyball and water polo. For men: baseball, basketball, cross country, football, golf, soccer, swimming and diving, tennis, track and field and water polo.

Intramural Program

Intramural Sports offer a comprehensive sports program where teams compete against their peers from Pomona College, Pitzer College, Claremont Graduate University and Keck Graduate Institute. Sports are offered for both individuals and teams. The offerings change on a semester basis but typically include many of the following: badminton, basketball, beach volleyball, dodgeball, flag football, indoor soccer, indoor volleyball, inner tube water polo, outdoor soccer, ping-pong, racquetball, softball, squash, Spikeball, tennis and ultimate frisbee.

Club Sports

Club Sports are organized and operated by students of the Claremont Colleges. Clubs range from informal/recreationally based to competing inter-scholastically on a national level. The following teams are currently on campus: archery, badminton, barbell, basketball (men’s and women’s), beach volleyball, climbing, cycling, equestrian, fencing, field hockey, ice/roller hockey, lacrosse (men’s), racquetball, roller derby (women’s), rugby (men’s and women’s), skiing/snowboarding, soccer (men’s and women’s), squash, surfing, tennis, ultimate frisbee (men’s and women’s) and volleyball (men’s and women’s).

Recreation

Athletic facilities are open to all students, faculty and staff. The Rains Center for Sport and Recreation houses two gymnasiums (badminton, basketball, pickleball, volleyball). Also within the center are handball, racquetball and squash courts. The Rains’ Weight Training Facility includes Cable Motion, Hammer Strength, Life Fitness, Smith machines, free weights, half racks, kettlebells and other equipment. The cardio training room offers Life Fitness ellipticals, treadmills, recumbent and incline bikes, and two types of rowers. The MacLeod Fitness Studio houses aerobics, ballroom dance, core training, dance, fencing, hip-hop, karate, Pilates, PiYo, tai chi, yoga and Zumba. Locker rooms are available for use by all patrons. Outdoor sports facilities include Haldeman and Pendleton Pools, 14 tennis courts at Pauley and Rogers facilities, an all-weather track and numerous sports fields (baseball, football, lacrosse, soccer and softball). Specific facility schedules are available on the PE/Athletics website.

Physical Education Courses

Read more about our learning objectives:
www.pomona.edu/administration/academic-dean/learning-objectives