The impact of club and intramural sports on the social well-being of students across the MIT campus reveals notable distinctions compared to the general student population. This assessment was conducted by comparing data from the 2024 Quality of Life survey administered to the MIT student body with the annual Recreation survey provided to members the following year. When considering the findings, it is important to note that many of the 2024 Quality of Life Survey respondents may have also been club, intramural, and/or recreation participants at the time they completed that survey, meaning there may be club, intramural, and/or recreation respondents contained within the Quality of Life findings. Through this analysis, we did not isolate the non-DAPER program respondents on the Quality of Life Survey; however, the comparisons reported highlight the positive experiences Recreation, Club, and Intramural Sport participants are having at MIT.

“One of the most compelling findings from our survey is that MIT club sport athletes who face the same academic pressures as the general student body while also committing an additional 5–9 hours per week to practice and participating in occasional weekend tournaments reported feeling less overwhelmed and isolated than the general student body,” Nick Jewell, Associate Director of Club Sports, IM & Day Camp, said. “Club Sport Athletes also reported feeling more supported outside of academics and better overall mental and emotional health,” he added.

“While it may seem counterintuitive to take on additional commitments when already feeling overwhelmed by MIT’s academic demands, our surveys suggest that involvement in a club sport often leads to improved mental and emotional health, along with a reduced sense of feeling overwhelmed.”

Let’s delve into the findings.

Feeling overwhelmed and isolated

Respondents from the 2025 Club Sport Student Participant and 2025 Intramural Student Satisfaction Surveys reported feelings of isolation and being overwhelmed less frequently than those surveyed in the 2024 Quality of Life Survey. Specifically, only 10% of respondents from the 2025 Club Sport Student Participant Survey indicated feeling isolated “often” or “very often,” in contrast to 33% of respondents from the 2024 Quality of Life survey. Similarly, 14% of participants in the 2025 Intramural Student Satisfaction Survey reported feelings of isolation “often” or “very often,” compared to 33% of the 2024 Quality of Life respondents.

Mental and Emotional Health

Moreover, students participating in the 2025 Club Sport and Intramural surveys characterized their mental and emotional health as more positive to that of their peers in the 2024 Quality of Life Survey. Notably, 75% of respondents from the 2025 Club Sport Student Participant Survey rated their mental and emotional health as “excellent” or “good,” compared to 55% of the 2024 Quality of Life respondents. Similarly, 77% of participants in the 2025 Intramural Student Satisfaction Survey described their mental and emotional health in positive terms, contrasting with the 55% from the 2024 survey.

Climate and Wellbeing

Additionally, respondents on the 2025 Intramural Student Satisfaction Survey expressed greater confidence in their academic success and social interactions at MIT, as well as a stronger sense of belonging and support from the institution outside of their academic pursuits when compared to the respondents of the 2024 Quality of Life survey data. Specifically, 84% of respondents to in the 2025 Club Sport Student Participant Survey “somewhat agree” or “strongly agree” that MIT provides the necessary support for success beyond academics, compared to just 50% of 2024 Quality of Life respondents. Similarly, 70% of 2025 Intramural Student Satisfaction Survey respondents and 72% of those from the 2025 Recreation & Wellness Survey shared this sentiment,  in contrast to the 50% of respondents from the previous year’s survey.

These findings underscore the positive influence of club and intramural sports on student wellbeing at MIT, highlighting the importance of these activities in fostering a supportive and engaging campus environment.