By Rushil Vashee and Saar Shah
Last year, the return to in-person classes ushered in an emphatic renewal of school spirit for Georgetown University’s 23 varsity-level sports teams. Following an eventful offseason that excited fans about the school’s biggest programs, that energy will almost certainly skyrocket as we enter the 2022-23 school year. Here is a new student’s guide to cheering on the Hoyas this fall.
Watch From the Stands
Nothing beats the atmosphere of watching Georgetown win games from the stands. The student section breaks out in team chants early and often, and on big game days, many fans don Hoya blue face paint and hold up homemade posters supporting the team. The main campus features two outdoor fields used for some of the school’s most successful sports programs.
Cooper Field, located between the Southwest Quadrangle and the McDonough School of Business (MSB), is home to Georgetown’s field hockey and football teams in the fall, as well as the men’s and women’s lacrosse teams in the spring. Every Saturday, expect to see students lining up outside the back gate to cheer on the Georgetown football team. This year, the Hoyas football team has six home games, the first of them a Patriot League matchup against Lehigh on Sept. 10 at 5 p.m.
Shaw Field, located above Yates Field House, is home to Georgetown men’s and women’s soccer teams. While it has a smaller seating capacity than Cooper Field, it is almost always filled with students supporting what are arguably Georgetown’s most popular fall sports teams. Last season, the Hoyas men’s soccer team finished first in the Big East with a conference record of 8-2. Georgetown won the Big East championship on Shaw Field in overtime, an unforgettable experience for the fans who stormed the field to celebrate after the final whistle.
Bring the Game to Your Dorm
Even without making it to the stadium, you can still catch your Hoyas on the screen. Students can stream nearly every major Georgetown game on screens in the Healey Family Student Center (HFSC), at Hoya Blue’s watch parties or even on their phone! Whether with FOX Sports for men’s basketball, FloSports for women’s basketball or ESPN+ for additional Hoyas coverage, there’s a way to bring nearly every Georgetown sport to your dorm room or any big screen.
Play in an Intramural League or Join a Club Team
The lifeblood of college athletics for students who could’ve gone Division I if they didn’t blow out their knees lies in club sports and intramural (IM) leagues, a great opportunity to stay active, competitive and social.
Georgetown offers over 30 club teams, run by students and managed by an advisory board. Playing for a club team typically demands an impressive tryout, as club sports are meant for more experienced athletes. A club sport is also a significant commitment, as athletes travel locally, nationally and even internationally to compete in tournaments and meets. Tryout dates, schedules and other general information can be found on the Club Directory.
Intramurals are a much more light-hearted option for students who are less experienced or just looking for a good time. Options range from one-day tournaments to semester-long seasons with co-ed and open leagues. Kickball, ultimate frisbee and spikeball take over the summer; the transition to the fall brings in flag football, soccer and basketball.
You can easily form a team with your friends or join as part of a campus club looking to bond outside of its work. The Hoya Sports has even made IM teams in the past for sports like basketball! There’s an option for lone wolves too, who can register as free agents online. No matter what you’re looking for, IM leagues will have a place for you.
Stay Up to Date on Campus Sports Culture
Whether you’re in the stands of Cooper Field or Shaw Field, watching a game with friends in the HFSC or skipping the game to finish an essay, all Georgetown students can stay in the loop about campus sports by picking up a copy of The Hoya! Throughout the semester, our team of sports writers will cover every major game by capturing the biggest moments and interviewing coaches, players and fans. Also look out for athlete features, coverage of local professional teams and more.
You can play pickup with friends or club sports with an organized team, casually keep up with the major headlines or sit front-row at every game, but no matter who you are, the Georgetown sports environment will find a way to pull you in.
