Bates College Bobcats Football Tickets

Bates College Bobcats Football is a Division III college football team that represents Bates College in Lewiston, Maine. Despite being a small college with an enrollment of only around 1,800 students, the Bates College Bobcats have a rich football history that dates back to the late 19th century.

Like all other college football teams, the ultimate goal of the Bates College Bobcats Football team is to win games and compete for championships. But being a Division III team, the Bobcats do not offer athletic scholarships to its players and thus, are not able to recruit players based on their athletic abilities alone.

Instead, Bates College prioritizes academic excellence and chooses student-athletes who uphold the same values. The players on the football team undergo a rigorous selection process based on not just their athletic talent, but also their academic achievements and overall character.

This sets Bates College Bobcats apart from many other college football programs where winning is often given more priority than anything else. It emphasizes a culture of student-first athletics, where players are encouraged to excel both on and off the field.

The team plays in the New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC), which consists of eleven other selective liberal arts colleges located in the northeast region of the United States. The conference has been historically known for highly competitive sports teams who put academics at the forefront.

In recent years, the Bates College Bobcats Football team has seen improvement in their performance, going from a winless record in 2016 to winning four games in 2019. This turnaround could be attributed to the leadership of Head Coach Malik Hall, who joined the program in 2017 and has brought an emphasis on work ethic, accountability, and teamwork.

While the Bobcats may not receive the same media attention as bigger college football programs, they are still able to provide their players with a unique college football experience. The team members learn to juggle the demands of challenging academics with grueling practices and games, all while being a part of a tight-knit community.

In conclusion, the Bates College Bobcats Football team is a great example of what college sports should be about. They prioritize their student-athletes' academic achievements, character, and personal growth over winning. Despite being an underdog in a competitive field, they prove that dedication, hard work, and teamwork are key to success on and off the field.