American Eagles

American Eagles
The American Eagles are the sports teams that represent American University. In addition to provide quality education in a student-friendly ideal atmosphere, American University also has several sports facilities. These facilities include most notably Bender Arena, which houses the William I Jacbos Fitness Center; 25-yard, eight-lane pool; the Reeves Aquatic Center, a six-store mini-mall, the campus bookstore, and a 470-car, seven-level parking structure.

The American Eagles men's and women's teams participate in NCAA Division I as part of the Patriot League. Athletic teams include basketball, soccer, cross country, swimming & diving, track, women's volleyball, field hockey, and lacrosse. Also are there men's wrestling, as well as several club sports. Many of the teams have succeeded to win NCAA and Patriot League championships over the years. AU's school colors are red and blue.

Home to AU's soccer team, Reeves Field, is one of the premier soccer fields in Washington that earned the 2002 College Soccer Field of the Year by the Sports Turf Managers Association. Reeves Field hosted its fifth NCAA Tournament game, and served as the training site for the Uruguayan National Soccer team, FC Barcelona and Blackburn teams.

Reeves Field also features a six-lane track creates a multi-purpose event site, also used to accommodate the track and field programs at AU. During his term as Vice-President, George H. W. Bush regularly traveled in the morning from his home at the U.S. Naval Observatory to run the track at Reeves Field.

In the summer of 2000, American University served as the practice site for Newcastle United. This is one of England's premier professional soccer clubs. Major League Soccer's D.C. United, Miami Fusion and San Jose Earthquakes also use the training facilities of AU. National teams from the USA, Bolivia and Portugal had practiced at Reeves in 1996 in preparation for Summer Olympic games held at RFK Stadium.

AU's nationally ranked field hockey and women's lacrosse teams play on the field at the Jacobs Recreational Complex. The Complex also features a softball diamond and two outdoor sand volleyball courts. AU's field hockey team held the right to host the 2005 Patriot League Tournament, where American won 7-0 against Lehigh University in the semifinals.

American University also houses a club particularly for athletics called The Eagles Club. It was founded in 1997 to help support the scholarship and operational expenses of the Department of Athletics and Recreation. The club is proud to have helped build a level of expectation that each program is competing in NCAA tournaments. It has won conference championships. The Eagles Club is committed to enhancing the experiences and chances of AU's student-athletes and supports its strong commitment to athletics, academics.

American University features seven outdoor tennis courts and two outdoor basketball courts. Tennis courts are developed for the use of the intercollegiate tennis teams as well as the University community. Basketball courts, on the other hand, complete the outdoor recreational facility located next to Reeves Field. AU has played host to three of the last four tennis team championships since joining the Patriot League. The women's tennis team last captured the Patriot League title in 2002.