<p>I havent done any sports during my four years at high school, but I'm starting to think that I might want to pick something up next year at Williams. I'm wondering how possible/realistic that is, since I know that most of the sports teams at Williams are very good, and that most of the people who join are probably already good at their sport. Does any current student know if it is possible for someone with no athletic experience to join a team? Do most teams have a novice or JV level?</p>
<p>I think there are plenty of athletic "clubs," similar to an intramural type thing, that anyone can join. The idea is more for fun than for competition.</p>
<p>There are quite a few club sports that anybody can join like the Williams Ultimate Frisbee Organization (WUFO). There are also several JV sports like lacrosse and squash, but I'm not sure how experienced one has to be to join. Also, I know that the crew team recruits quite heavily amongst kids who have absolutely no experience in the sport (I don't think they cut).</p>
<p>Some recent (wintertime) team sports that anyone could sign up for included broomball and human curling (both taking place at the ice rink). There are also all kinds of dance activities (including swing dancing, contradance, and salsa among others) that everyone -- regardless of experience or skill -- is invited to join in on. I've noticed intramural sign-ups (generally coed) for other team sports like basketball and badminton, too -- they're frequently announced on WSO (at the college website under "Students"). Water polo is a strong club sport that welcomes all newcomers (coed also) for fall and spring seasons. Rugby, both men's and women's club teams, includes novices. There are probably others, like cycling; various outdoor activities (kayaking, hiking, etc.) are associated with the Williams Outdoor Club.</p>
<p>Williams Outing Club -- check their website.</p>
<p>For club sports, you can find some information through the main sports page and also by using the search function on the website and by checking archives of The Record for general information.</p>
<p>You might be able to find out about IMs by contacting the Office of Campus Living or by searching what they offer. I think that there were supposed to be "neighborhood vs. neighborhood" competitions under the new neighborhood housing structure. I haven't been following that so I'm hazy about it.</p>
<p>Making the team as a walk-on in a varsity sport that you did not play in high school may be possible but it will generally be difficult at Williams. Give it a try if you are interested but be aware that it may be tough. Athletes who are switching sports and bring in a high level of fitness and general athletic experience are the most likely to succeed (this happens in crew, not just at Williams but all across the country, and Williams, like most schools with a crew program, offers novice crew in the fall, which is when you'd need to learn to row if you wanted to compete during the main -- spring -- season).</p>