UC Santa Barbara - Sports & Recreation

The University of California, Santa Barbara features excellent recreational and athletic facilities, including the Recreation & Aquatics Center, the newest complex to serve the recreational needs of the campus community. The Recreation Center contains a world-class fitness area, two squash and five racquetball courts, and two multi-use gymnasia. The Aquatics Center features a beautiful outdoor Olympic-size swimming pool, a 25 meter family pool, a competition diving pool, and a large sunning area for catching those California rays. A state-of-the-art aerobic dance studio, 24 tennis courts, running trails and three miles of beach await exercise enthusiasts.

Summer Discovery students enjoy full UCSB recreation privileges and can choose from a superb selection of facilities and activities for practicing and playing at no charge. In addition to the Recreation and Aquatics Center, the campus has a variety of other recreation and sports facilities located both on-and-off campus, and used for year-round activities. They include the following:

Facilities and Activities

• Robertson Gym UCSB’s main activity center for all campus sports. The gym hosts Athletic team practices and events, intramural sports such as Badminton, Floor/Roller Hockey and Gymnastics.
• The Thunderdome Home of the UCSB Gaucho’s Basketball team, the Thunderdome is one of the wildest and noisiest basketball arenas in the country! Tom Odjakjian, the Program Manager at ESPN, says “If I had to pick the three best places in the nation in terms of noise and enthusiasm they would be Duke, UCSB, and Rutgers.”
• Harder Stadium Home of the Gauchos Soccer Team.
• Pauley Track Features an eight lane track, grass infield and is perfect for jogging and power walking.
• Storke Play Fields Ideal for recreational play.
• Rob Gym Play Fields Including a rock climbing wall.
• West Tennis Courts 8 championship courts.
• Recreation Center Tennis Courts 6 championship courts.
• Stadium Tennis Courts 10 championship courts.
• Outdoor Sand Volleyball Courts Great for play on a sunny summer day.
• Caesar Uyesaka Stadium Home of the Gauchos Baseball Team.
• AC Pad 5 outdoor basketball courts and always open for a pick-up game.
• Bike Friendly Campus Bring your bike and helmet for the best way to get around campus.
• Beaches and Parks There are several Pacific Ocean beaches and picturesque parks within walking distance of the residence hall.

3 ways to particpate in our recreation / athletic program:

1. Drop-in participation Informal, non-organized participation including pick-up games, tennis with a friend, working out at the Recreation Center, rollerblading, and recreational swimming, to name a few.
2. Organized intramurals, tournaments and events Our recreation coordinator and our RC’s organize co-ed intramurals in several sports, basketball, 5-on-5 volleyball, kayak outings and more.
3. Sports Plus Students who desire intensive individual and/or team instruction from qualified coaches can participate in our comprehensive Sports Plus programs for: tennis, basketball, swimming, sports conditioning and fitness, surfing, and more. (supplemental fee)

Sports Plus Program

After class time, students who wish to extend their participation beyond the regular recreation and athletic program may choose to participate in one or more Sports Plus offerings. Instruction is given by college coaches, instructors and student athletes on a regular basis throughout the program. Sports Plus programs are held at UCSB’s outstanding facilities unless otherwise noted.

Surfing the Pacific

Join the expert instructors from Ocean Adventures of Santa Barbara for this exciting and exhilarating sport on the water. No experience is necessary, just the ability to swim. Meets twice a week for 2 hours. Fee: $475

Basketball

Improve your game with this concentrated basketball program emphasizing individual skills, game strategy, scrimmage and practice time. Meets twice a week for 11/2 hours. Fee: $150

Group Tennis Lessons

The best Pro’s and UCSB players give in-depth instruction and evaluations for all levels of ability. Meets twice a week for one hour. Fee: $195

Sports Conditioning and Weight-Lifting

Under the excellent supervision of trainers and student athletes, a program will be developed for your own abilities using a variety of free weights, Nautilus, and the latest state-of-the-art Cybex equipment. Additional aerobic machine work rounds out your program. Meets twice weekly for 1 hour. Fee: $150

Drop-in Fitness

These classes include ab workouts, step aerobics, yoga, cardio, pilates, aerobics, kickboxing, etc. You coordinate your workout schedule by taking advantage of the flexible class times offered all day. Schedules will be available on campus. Fee: $95