An introduction to Hopkins sports

While Hopkins is known for its top-ranked academics, it also boasts some of the best teams in collegiate sports. As sports writers for The News-Letter, we have the privilege of covering Hopkins athletics, and we encourage you to attend their games to have fun and support your peers. Here, we will introduce some of the teams that we have covered in depth.

Men’s Lacrosse

Lacrosse is the only National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division-I sport at Hopkins. Men’s lacrosse is the most successful lacrosse team in college history with 44 national championships. The Blue Jays compete in the Big Ten conference, facing off against teams like the Rutgers University Scarlet Knights, the Ohio State University Buckeyes and University of Maryland Terrapins. In fact, the Hopkins-Maryland rivalry is over a century old, considered as one of the greatest college rivalries of all time. Hopkins played Maryland twice last season, eventually losing to the Terrapins in the Big Ten tournament. The Blue Jays will undoubtedly be seeking revenge in their quest for another national championship. 

Women’s Lacrosse

Hopkins women’s lacrosse also competes in the Big Ten conference. Last season, the women’s lacrosse team saw legendary coach Janine Tucker’s retirement. Tucker is the winningest coach in Hopkins women’s lacrosse history, amassing 313 wins over her nearly three-decade tenure. In her last season, the Blue Jays made the NCAA Division-III lacrosse tournament before losing to Duke University. Hopkins women’s lacrosse will seek a Big Ten conference championship and an NCAA Division-I national championship.

Men’s Basketball

Hopkins men’s basketball competes in the NCAA Division-III Centennial Conference. Last season the men’s basketball team went 23-4 and won its second straight Centennial Conference championship in an exciting game against Swarthmore College. Hopkins advanced to the NCAA Division-III basketball tournament before losing in the second round to Stockton University. The 2021–22 season saw the graduation of Conner Delaney. Delaney was a point guard for the men’s basketball team and holds the school record for most assists in a career. He was also a member of the 1000-point club and a multiple-time All-American. He ends his career as one of the greatest, if not the greatest, basketball players in Hopkins history. The team will be attempting to three-peat as Centennial Conference champions and continue Delaney’s quest for a national championship, which unfortunately went uncompleted in his storied career.

Women’s Basketball

Hopkins women’s basketball also competes in the Centennial Conference. Women’s basketball went 22-5 and made the Centennial Conference championship finals, losing to the Gettysburg College Bullets in a heartbreaking game. Hopkins made the first round of the NCAA Division-III national championship tournament, led by senior Diarra Oden. Oden finished her storied career as Centennial Conference Player of the Year and All-American. In addition, she was nominated by the Centennial Conference for NCAA Woman of the Year, the first Hopkins selection in over five years. The Blue Jays will be looking to avenge their loss in the Centennial Conference tournament this upcoming season. 

Both basketball teams play home games in Goldfarb Gymnasium, where admission is free for students. The atmosphere at home games can get wild and is one of the best experiences at Hopkins.

Men’s Tennis

Last season, the Hopkins men’s tennis team went 19-2, with multiple wins over top-ranked teams such as Emory University and Carnegie Mellon University. The team won the Centennial Conference championship against Swarthmore College, claiming its 16th Centennial Conference championship in team history. In the NCAA Division-III national tournament, Hopkins dropped a heartbreaker in the second round against North Carolina Wesleyan University. Hopkins seeks to win its 17th Centennial Conference championship this spring and chase its first national championship. 

Women’s Tennis

Hopkins women’s tennis is a dominant force in the Centennial Conference, boasting a perfect 9-0 record in conference play and 13-7 overall. The team won its 15th straight Centennial Conference championship with a win over Swarthmore College and advanced to the second round of the NCAA Division-III national tournament before losing in a close contest to the Williams College Ephs. Hopkins is looking to win its 16th Centennial Conference championship and contends for the national championship. 

Men’s Football

After not having a season in 2020, the men’s football team went 10-2 last year, making it all the way to the second round of the NCAA Playoffs before falling to fourth-ranked University of Mount Union 45-35. Last season was highlighted by a 77-0 victory against Juniata College (yes, you read that correctly), one of the largest margins of victory in school history. The Blue Jays will face Juniata in their home opener this year on Sept. 17 — we’d love to see you there!