 MIT sponsors 31 varsity sports and has one of the three broadest NCAA Division III athletic programs . MIT participates in the NCAA 's Division III , the New England Women 's and Men 's Athletic Conference , the New England Football Conference , the Pilgrim League for men 's lacrosse , NCAA 's Division I Eastern Association of Women 's Rowing Colleges ( <unk> ) for women 's crew , and the Collegiate Water Polo Association ( <unk> ) for Men 's Water Polo . Men 's crew competes outside the NCAA in the Eastern Association of Rowing Colleges ( <unk> ) . In April 2009 , budget cuts lead to MIT eliminating eight of its 41 sports , including the mixed men 's and women 's teams in alpine skiing and pistol ; separate teams for men and women in ice hockey and gymnastics ; and men 's programs in golf and wrestling . 
