Athletic Facilities

Heidelberg College promotes athletics as a valuable part of the educational experience. The College believes that athletics must always be in harmony with the academic atmosphere of the College, and should provide opportunities for recreation and social activity, as well as lessons in sportsmanship and teamwork.

The College offers 19 varsity sports along with a variety of intramural activities. Intercollegiate athletic programs for men include baseball, basketball, cross-country, football, golf, soccer, tennis, indoor and outdoor track and field, and wrestling. Women participate in basketball, cross-country, golf, soccer, softball, tennis, indoor and outdoor track and field, and volleyball.

Seiberling Health and Physical Education Center was completed in 1952 after delays during World Wars I and II and the Great Depression. The building bears the name of Frank Seiberling, an 1879 alumnus who became president of Goodyear Rubber Co. and founder of the Seiberling Rubber Co. Mr. Seiberling made the first pledge for the physical education plant in 1917. Other funds were contributed later by alumni, churches, local citizens and friends. After a fire destroyed some athletic facilities in 1985, a major addition to Seiberling was completed to add offices, locker rooms, a weight room and a sports medicine facility.

Sayger Court in Seiberling Health and Physical Education Center is named for the late Herman E. Sayger, a successful physical education director and coach at Heidelberg in the 1920s. He was responsible for bringing a complete program of intramural sports to the College. The court is used for indoor sports and major events such as commencement and Alumni Day.

Mayer Field, located between Williard Residence Hall and Rock Creek, has an all-weather track and other track and field facilities, and fields for softball, soccer, intramural sports and community activities. This facility was made possible by a gift from the Frederick M. Mayer family. Mr. Mayer, Class of 1920, served as a trustee of the College from 1948-70 and was a trustee emeritus at the time of his death in March 1993.

The Auxiliary Gymnasium, an aluminum-sided structure built in 1948 by the Federal Works Agency, provides additional recreation space and is used as a wrestling practice facility. A battery of tennis courts is adjacent to the gymnasium.