Bemidji State University Athletics

The Beavers compete in NCAA Division II, which offers athletic scholarships while maintaining a balance between academics and athletics. With 389 student-athletes across 13 varsity sports, about 12% of the 3,120 students participate in intercollegiate athletics. The athletic program awards $2.25 million in scholarships annually. Bemidji State belongs to the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference, competing against regional rivals including Minnesota State Moorhead and University of Minnesota Duluth. The school's northern Minnesota location naturally lends itself to strong winter sports programs, particularly hockey, which has deep roots in the region's culture. Division II schools like Bemidji State typically draw local and regional fan support rather than national television audiences, creating a close-knit athletic community where student-athletes are recognizable faces on campus.