Athletics at Rensselaer date back to at least the 1860s when the first teams appeared in the student yearbook, the Transit.  The 1867 Transit listed baseball, boat, and gymnastic clubs, although the school lacked indoor athletic facilities until the first gym was completed in 1887. By the late 19^th century, intercollegiate competition had begun, but team schedules remained very limited until after World War II.  As the number of female students increased, the opportunity for women’s teams arose, and by the 21st century women competed on eleven varsity teams while men played a dozen varsity sports.  The Institute’s many indoor and outdoor facilities increasingly allowed students to participate in numerous club and intramural sports.

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