Athletics and Recreation

 

The Athletics and Recreation Department's mission at UC Santa Cruz is to provide a wide variety of professional programs and physical activities that promote and enhance community, academic success, leadership, lifelong wellness, and experiential learning.

Our department consists of NCAA Division III Athletics with 17 varsity teams as well as a robust amount of recreational opportunities including: group exercise and personal training, comprehensive outdoor programming with Adventure Rec, aquatics programming, 30 Sport Clubs organizations, a variety of Intramural Sports opportunities, and focused Physical Education courses.

Events from this organizer

Today

  • Pride Night with Women’s Soccer

    Join the Cantu Queer Center and Women’s Soccer for a Pride Game on 10/14/25. Game starts at 4pm at East Field. First 50 students will receive a FREE tshirt. There […]

  • Cartoon Sammy roasting marshmallows

    Slugs Campout

    Upper East Field

    Adventure Rec warmly welcome UCSC students to join the 5th annual Campus Campout on the Upper East Field! Friday, September 26, 6:30pm – Saturday, September 27, 9:00am.

  • Women’s Basketball Fundraiser at Woodstock’s

    Woodstock’s Pizza 710 Front St, Santa Cruz, CA

    Support UCSC Women’s Basketball! Join us at Woodstock’s Pizza on Dec. 2 from noon – 9 p.m. for a delicious way to give back! How to participate: Just mention the Women’s Basketball fundraiser when ordering in person or use code UCSCWBALL for online orders. Why it matters: 20% of all proceeds from your purchase will […]

  • decorative image with basketball player shooting the ball

    Coast-to-Coast Men’s Basketball Conference Tournament – Semifinals Game #1

    Coast-to-Coast Men’s Basketball Conference Tournament
    West Field House Rachel Carson College Service Road, Santa Cruz, CA

    The Coast-to-Coast Men’s Basketball Conference Tournament is coming to Santa Cruz!  The Banana Slugs are set to host the five-game tournament February 26-28, welcoming University of Mary Washington, Christopher Newport University, Salisbury University, and Warren Wilson College to the West Coast!  Quarterfinals are Thursday, Feb. 26 at Kaiser Permanente Arena. Tip-off is 3 p.m. Semifinals […]

  • decorative image with basketball player shooting the ball

    Coast-to-Coast Men’s Basketball Conference Tournament – Semifinals Game #2

    Coast-to-Coast Men’s Basketball Conference Tournament
    West Field House Rachel Carson College Service Road, Santa Cruz, CA

    The Coast-to-Coast Men’s Basketball Conference Tournament is coming to Santa Cruz!  The Banana Slugs are set to host the five-game tournament February 26-28, welcoming University of Mary Washington, Christopher Newport University, Salisbury University, and Warren Wilson College to the West Coast!  Quarterfinals are Thursday, Feb. 26 at Kaiser Permanente Arena. Tip-off is 3 p.m. Semifinals […]

  • decorative image with basketball player shooting the ball

    Coast-to-Coast Men’s Basketball Conference Tournament – Championship

    Coast-to-Coast Men’s Basketball Conference Tournament
    Kaiser Permanente Arena 140 Front St, Santa Cruz, CA, United States

    The Coast-to-Coast Men’s Basketball Conference Tournament is coming to Santa Cruz!  The Banana Slugs are set to host the five-game tournament February 26-28, welcoming University of Mary Washington, Christopher Newport University, Salisbury University, and Warren Wilson College to the West Coast!  Quarterfinals are Thursday, Feb. 26 at Kaiser Permanente Arena. Tip-off is 3 p.m. Semifinals […]

  • Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour, Santa Cruz

    Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour, Santa Cruz
    Rio Theater 1205 Soquel Avenue, Santa Cruz, United States

    For the 35th year, UC Santa Cruz Adventure Rec is thrilled to bring the Banff Centre Mountain Film Festival World Tour to Santa Cruz! Each November, the Banff Festival in Canada showcases the year’s most breathtaking, inspiring adventure films—and we’re bringing the very best of them to the Rio Theatre, February 27, 28, & March […]

  • Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour, Santa Cruz

    Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour, Santa Cruz
    Rio Theater 1205 Soquel Avenue, Santa Cruz, United States

    For the 35th year, UC Santa Cruz Adventure Rec is thrilled to bring the Banff Centre Mountain Film Festival World Tour to Santa Cruz! Each November, the Banff Festival in Canada showcases the year’s most breathtaking, inspiring adventure films—and we’re bringing the very best of them to the Rio Theatre, February 27, 28, & March […]

  • Run Like a Slug 5k, Hosted by UC Santa Cruz Athletics and Recreation and the UCSC Athletics and Recreation logo overlaid on a blurred aerial photo of the UCSC East Field area with the city of Santa Cruz and the Monterey Bay in the background

    Run Like a Slug 5k

    Upper East Field

    The UC Santa Cruz Department of Athletics and Recreation is proud to announce the second annual Run Like a Slug 5k. Banana Slugs can register here for the race. Get ready to embrace your inner Banana Slug at the Run Like A Slug 5k Fun Run! Join fellow students, staff, and faculty members for a scenic and spirited […]

  • Illustration of a swimming pool with various colorful floats, including a donut, a pineapple, and a swan, with the text "Queer Pool Party 2026" centered in the middle.

    Cantú Pool Party at East Field House

    East Field House East Field House, Santa Cruz, CA

    The 4th Annual Cantú & Athletics Pool Party! Come celebrate our 4th annual pool party hosted by the Cantú Queer Center and the Athletics and Recreation Department on May 16 from noon–4 p.m.! This event is all about building community and creating a welcoming, low-stress day for everyone. It’s a perfect chance to relax, meet […]

    Free