Whitman holds membership in the NCAA's Northwest Conference (Division III) and fields nine varsity teams each for men and women. In 2016, the college adopted the new mascot for the school and its athletes of "the Blues," named after the local mountain range. More than 20 percent of students participate in a varsity sport. In addition, 70 percent of the student body participates in intramural and club sport. These sports include rugby union, water polo, lacrosse, dodgeball, and nationally renowned cycling and Ultimate teams.