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In the past few years, college sports has been turned on its head. New name, image, and likeness money poured in as transferring became easier than ever and an NCAA settlement is poised to alter the makeup of collegiate athletics programs across the nation. With all the uncertainty, one thing has remained constant: Harvard athletes are still landing on top.

The 2024-25 season has taken athletes to new places: to Paris for the Olympic Games, Ireland for a hockey tournament, Italy for a soccer exhibition, and Hawaii for the volleyball season opener. Likewise, Harvard’s teams reached new heights, including an NCAA tournament appearance for the women’s basketball and water polo teams, numerous broken records in track and field, and several more Ivy League championships added to the collection.

In many ways, Harvard’s storied athletics program has resisted change — declining to dive into the new world of pay-for-play — but that doesn’t mean it isn’t looking to improve. In these pages, we tell the story of how Harvard’s successful women’s teams banded together to uplift each other. You’ll hear from the football coach about getting his players into a winning mindset despite a heartbreaking loss and his plan for building a team in a changed recruiting landscape.

You’ll also hear about the figures and teams that shape Harvard’s sports culture — providing excitement for the student body and representing the Crimson at home and on national and international stages. We’ve had the pleasure of speaking to these players, watching them play, and learning about their stories. It’s been an honor to cover the 42 varsity teams at Harvard for The Crimson.

Sincerely,

Praveen Kumar ’26 | Sports Chair

Jo B. Lemann ’26 | Sports Chair