Embrace the great outdoors by exploring beyond your comfort zone! Challenge yourself to discover all that nature.
At Sterling, athletics are team-based, club-based, student-organized, and self-directed. By participating in Sterling Athletics, students have the opportunity to challenge themselves as individuals, to be exposed to the Vermont racing scene, and to spend more time in nature. It’s a welcoming environment for all, whether or not you have prior racing or training experience. And like many things at Sterling, Student interest directs how the athletics department’s resources are allocated.
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Trail Running
Typically, Athletics Director Adrian Owens coaches a trail running team in the fall and the spring. Tail running teams have organized practices. Owens works individually with interested students to develop individual training plans to meet each student’s athletic goals, interests, and needs.
Sterling students race at local events, including citizen races and 5K weekend trail run races.
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Nordic Skiing
The Nordic Ski Club is Sterling’s most active athletic club. Nordic team members who commit to twice-a-week practice for the seven-week season are provided loaner equipment for skate and/or classic skiing, and they get a complimentary season’s pass to the world-reknowned Craftsbury Nordic trails, which loop through the Sterling campus. The Nordic Ski coach provides technical instruction in both disciplines with the goal of helping students achieve a level of proficiency compatible with completing a 5K-10K race.
While most Sterling students Nordic ski as a way to enjoy winter, students have competed in the Eastern Collegiate Ski Association races as well as local citizen racing.
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Other Activities
In addition to team sports, Sterling students participate in pickup games of badminton in the dining hall, soccer on the green, and ultimate frisbee and soccer outside any of the dorms. At times, Owens and interested students get creative and organize activities like the Mud and Ice Quadrathlon, orienteering comps, and adventure races. The college president has been known to call for a campus-wide kickball tournament. And a mountain bike team is in the works. Students sometimes offer Tai Chi and Yoga classes.
Gear Room
Sterling maintains a well-stocked gear room behind the dining hall where at any time during the semester, Sterling Students and faculty can rent or borrow gear for a class, Sterling-sponsored trip, or for personal use. The faculty-supervised, adventure-coordinator staffed gear room stocks everything from clothes to sleeping bags to ice climbing gear, all available for a nominal fee. Students are only charged for the nights you use the gear, even if gear is checked out over school break. No reservations are required.
Green Bike Shop
Sterling College maintains a bike shop. With student support, the bike shop sometimes offers students a free basic bike repair class.
Craftsbury Outdoor Center
Neighboring Craftsbury Outdoor Center welcomes Sterling students to use their weight room and other gym facilities, including their roller skiing track.
