Fitness & Recreation

Seahawks compete with purpose, balancing strong academics with a passion for competition. St. Mary’s College of Maryland sponsors NCAA Division III varsity teams that emphasize skill, teamwork, and a true love of the game without sacrificing the academic experience. Here, student-athletes are challenged to grow in every way, supported by a close knit community that values both achievement and opportunity. It’s a place where competition is meaningful, and success is measured both on the field and in the classroom.

The tree-lined Hawk’s Nest, home of the Seahawk men's baseball team, opened on February 11, 2001, after a two-year, $1.3 million project led by Paul Zawska, former head groundskeeper at Camden Yards. Blending design with its natural surroundings, the field features hybrid bluegrass in the outfield and a durable clay mix in the infield, mirroring professional standards. Nestled among woods and overlooking Fisher’s Creek, its rustic dugouts and setting give it a distinct character. With near major league dimensions, one of the largest scoreboards in Division III, and a professional-style backstop, Hawk’s Nest offers a high-level playing experience, built from nearly 1,800 truckloads of relocated soil.

Opened in fall 2019, the state-of-the-art facility features a grass athletic field, an artificial turf field surrounded by a running track, seating for 800 spectators at each field, and a two-story stadium building. The complex supports men’s track and women’s track, men’s lacrosse and women’s lacrosse, men’s soccer and women’s soccer, and women's field hockey while serving as a valuable resource for both campus and the broader community. Located between the two fields, the stadium building includes two men’s and two women’s locker rooms, a referee locker room, training room, restrooms, concessions, VIP boxes, two press boxes, and a hospitality suite. The College named the stadium in honor of Jamie, a 2011 alumna and three-sport athlete who embodied its core values and was tragically killed in June 2014. Jamie L. Roberts Stadium is located across Mattapany Road from the Michael P. O'Brien Athletic & Recreation Center.

The Michael P. O’Brien Athletics & Recreation Center Arena is home to St. Mary’s men's basketball and women’s basketball teams and the Seahawk women's volleyball program, featuring seating for 1,200 fans and a hardwood maple court named in honor of Hall of Fame coach Ed Cole. Since opening in spring 2005 as part of the renovation and expansion of Somerset Hall, the 110,000 square-foot facility has also included an Olympic size 50-meter swimming pool and an expanded fitness center. The arena has hosted the NCAA Division III Men’s Basketball Championship Tournament First and Second Rounds in 2010 and 2011, as well as the 2010 sectional rounds. Meanwhile, the original recreational courts and 25-yard pool from Somerset Hall remain active, supporting recreation, club sports, classes, and a wide range of intramural programs.

Once used as the primary competition court, the Somerset Recreational Courts now support indoor practices, intramurals, festive campus activities, and a variety of active classes, while also remaining open for general student use. The facility features two full basketball courts and was most recently updated with refinished floors in 2019, maintaining a versatile and well-used space for campus recreation.

Originally developed to support campus recreation and fitness programming, the Climbing Wall provides students with opportunities for indoor climbing, skill development, and active recreation in a welcoming environment. The space is used for open climbs, instructional sessions, and recreational activities while remaining accessible for general student use. Featuring multiple climbing routes designed for a variety of skill levels, the facility continues to serve as a unique and engaging part of campus recreation.

The 300-seat natatorium features an Olympic-size 50-meter swimming pool designed to meet the standards required for major competitions. Home to the men’s swimming and women’s swimming teams, the pool can be divided by bulkheads into smaller sections, including the standard 25-yard configuration used for collegiate meets and training sessions. It also includes features designed to minimize wave action, such as specially engineered gutters and a state-of-the-art heat recovery and dehumidification system to improve air quality and reduce humidity. The Aquatics Center serves as a hub for campus recreation, swim training, competitions, and aquatic programming throughout the year.

Designed to support student wellness, athletic training, and overall fitness, the Weight Room serves as a central space for strength and conditioning on campus. The facility features a variety of free weights, resistance machines, and cardio equipment to accommodate a wide range of fitness goals and experience levels. Used for individual workouts, team training, and recreational fitness, the space remains an important and well-utilized part of campus recreation.

The Somerset Tennis Complex, home to the men’s tennis and women’s tennis teams, opened on March 9, 2001, following a $400,000 project designed to provide a high-quality competitive and recreational facility. The complex features six courts finished with a water-resistant acrylic base and top coats for durability and performance. Arranged in three groups of two with walkways and separate fencing, the courts use drop-down fencing that is higher at the ends and lower along the sides to improve visibility and create a more open feel for spectators. The facility debuted with a memorable 4–3 win over Randolph-Macon College, highlighted by Brad Nowicki and Andy Beliveau’s victory at No. 1 doubles. It has since hosted many notable moments, including a dramatic 5–4 upset over Salisbury University in 2011, marking the program’s first-ever win against its longtime conference rival.

Used for a variety of club sports and recreational activities, this space supports practices and training for men’s and women’s rugby, ultimate frisbee, and archery. The area provides students with opportunities to stay active, build teamwork, and participate in competitive and recreational club sports as part of campus life.