Sports have been at Cottey almost since its inception, but the school really began taking an interest in student athletics in the early 1900s. Teams and tournaments were organized, and sports fields were added. The 1917-18 Cottey catalogue lauded its improved training grounds: "Out-Door Sports—are especially emphasized. The athletic grounds are attractive and beautiful. There are basket-ball, tennis courts, volley ball, and croquet grounds. A hockey field has recently been added."³

Since then, Cottey has expanded its sports programs to include both intramural and intercollegiate competition, and have participated in the National Junior Colleges Athletic Association (Division II) since the 1980s.

Intramural Competition

Intramural sports at Cottey were most often organized between societies. Between 1902 and 1950, tournaments were organized between the Magnoperians and the Emersons.² In 1951, the Alphian and Delphian societies were added. ("Alphian" was changed to "Alphan" in 1961.) The first society tournament was the annual Thanksgiving Day Mag-Em basketball game.⁴ By the 1960s, the four societies were competing in field hockey, tennis, basketball, baseball, volleyball, and swimming.² Interest in society competition has waned as Cottey participates more in intercollegiate events, but the societies still hold annual softball and capture-the-flag tournaments.

Games have also been organized between the senior and freshmen classes, and between students and faculty. Presently, Cottey holds an annual student-faculty volleyball tournament.

Athletic Association

Cottey's Athletic Association began in 1932.³ It is described in the 1935-36 catalogue as an organization that planned and carried out recreational activities throughout the year:

   The Cottey College Athletic Association gives to all students an opportunity to participate in various kinds of sports emphasizing the proper use of leisure time.
   A well-rounded program consisting of team sports and individual sports is offered. The team sports consist of hockey, volley ball, basket ball, baseball and soccer. Individual sports consist of swimming, tennis, archery, table tennis, horse shoe, shuffleboard, hiking and track. . . .
   During the year the Athletic Association is responsible for various social and play activities. The Old Time Fiddler's Party, the All-School picnic, the play day for high school girls, and intramural competitive sports are under the direction of the organization.³

By the 1960s, the name had changed to the "Recreation Association" or "R.A. Board."² Their activities at this time included field hockey, volleyball, basketball, softball, tennis, table tennis, badminton, bowling, swimming, and gymnastics. The team and individual sporting events were organized by society.

Today the Athletic Association is represented by the Cottey Intramural Association (C.I.A.), which organizes sports and recreational competitions.

"C" Club

The "C" Club was Cottey's athletic honors society. Eligibility was based on a points system. In 1947, you had to accrue 450 points to receive your yellow "C",¹ and by 1965 this was raised to 500 points.² Students received points for playing both individual and team sports, in society games, junior-senior games, or intercollegiate competition. In 1965, a yellow star was awarded to girls who earned an additional 500 points. Members of the "C" Club worked with the Athletics Association (R.A. Board) to plan athletic activities throughout the year. (Each "C" Club member was automatically in the R.A. in the '60s.)

Basketball

Basketball was played at Cottey College at least as far back as the 1890s, and after the formation of the Emerson and Magnoperian societies in 1902, Mag and Em basketball competitions became a tradition.⁴ The biggest game of the year came on Thanksgiving, when the two societies went head-to-head. By 1915, "The traditional Thanksgiving basketball game had become so popular that the gymnasium at the college could not accommodate the crowd. Some of the Board of Trustees arranged for the armory and a large audience watched the Magnoperians win."⁴ On other occasions in the early 1900s, the Mags and Ems played the Nevada High School basketball teams.

By the 1960s, the traditional intersociety basketball tournament was moved from Thanksgiving Day to Founder's Day.

Basketball is one of the few sports that has remained at Cottey throughout its history. It has continued to be played between societies and classes, against similar colleges, and as part of the NJCAA.