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For the Sports Fan: Athletics in Raleigh

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When thinking about which college is best for you, there are many considerations that play into making your big decision. The location of a college can be an important factor. And if you’re anything like me, making sure you’re near a variety of sports is a key aspect of that prime location.

Meredith College is located in the heart of Raleigh, which offers many opportunities when it comes to watching live sports. You have so many options right in your own backyard. Whether you prefer collegiate athletics, professional sports, or playing recreationally, Raleigh has it all.

Collegiate Sports

Within a 50 mile radius of Raleigh are 30 colleges or universities, providing plenty of opportunities for you to watch DI, DII, and DIII athletic programs ranging from basketball to softball, lacrosse to soccer, baseball to volleyball, and more.

Meredith offers a variety of championship-level sports programs. With eight Division III athletic programs and a club golf team, students can stay on campus and take in games while cheering on their own Avenging Angels. Many of our teams have won multiple USA South Conference titles. And games are free and open to the public.

If you want to get off campus, basketball is a favorite in the Triangle, which is home to three Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) programs. Among these programs are two powerhouses who are said to have the greatest rivalry in sports.

If March Madness really excites you, then you will definitely want to be in Raleigh for the 2021 NCAA Tournament, which will be hosted at PNC Arena. You might have a chance to see some of the strongest basketball programs in the nation compete for a national title.

There’s nothing quite like the atmosphere of a college football game. Just like basketball, being in the middle of Raleigh means being surrounded by great football programs, including some top DI teams that draw massive crowds on Saturdays.

Professional Sports

Raleigh is a wonderful place to live for hockey fans. The Carolina Hurricanes are based in Raleigh and play their games at PNC Arena, which is less than a mile from Meredith’s campus. As a member of the National Hockey League, the Hurricanes are a fan favorite and play teams from the U.S. and Canada. They were also the 2006 Stanley Cup champions.

If hockey is something you really love, they offer season tickets for reasonable prices so you can see them all season long.

If soccer is your passion, Raleigh is home to two professional soccer teams. North Carolina FC is a Major League Soccer (MLS) member that competes against teams all over the U.S. and Canada, while the Carolina Courage are a part of the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL). You can catch some of the nation’s best players in action at WakeMed Soccer Park.

While Raleigh does not currently have a major league baseball team, there is an award-winning minor league team less than 25 minutes down the road. The Durham Bulls, a Triple-A affiliate of the Tampa Bay Rays, are the reigning International League champions and hold back-to-back Governors’ Cup titles. They have been around since 1902 and have a beautiful stadium just 21 miles from Meredith. Durham Bulls Athletic Park is also home to the ACC Baseball Championship.

Recreational Sports

If you’re looking to participate in athletics yourself, there are a number of recreational sports programs in the area. Tri Sports Social Club, Premier Co-ed Sports, and MAC Sports and Entertainment are just three recreational programs that offer a variety of co-ed sports.

You can also check with the City of Raleigh, and nearby towns such as Durham, Apex, Cary, Chapel Hill, and Wake Forest, because they offer a number of athletic programs for youth and adults. And if you want to try your hand at coaching, they are always looking for youth sports coaches.

City programs offer everything from cornhole to flag football, and softball to basketball. If being active through team sports is something you’re interested in, then this is definitely a great way to get involved, be active, and meet new people.

If you want to stay active without leaving campus, joining Meredith’s Angels in Motion (AIM) would be a great fit for you. They offer a variety of classes Monday-Thursday that include Zumba, Strength Training, HIIT, and Bootcamp. This is a wonderful way to meet other students while getting your daily exercise.

As you can see, being in Raleigh provides a variety of opportunities that you won’t find anywhere else. For the sports fan, Raleigh is a great place to call home.

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Contact Information

Office of Admissions
1st Floor, Johnson Hall
1-800-MEREDITH
(919) 760-8581
(919) 760-2348
admissions@meredith.edu