Bluefield State University Athletics

Bluefield State competes in NCAA Division II, which means solid athletic programs with scholarships but smaller crowds than major universities. The Big Blues field 20 varsity sports with 394 total athletes, meaning about 32% of the 1,231-student body participates in athletics. The university awards $2.4 million in athletic scholarships annually. Bluefield State plays in the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association, a historically black conference featuring schools like Virginia State and Virginia Union. The Big Blues have built respectable programs despite the school's small size and remote location in the West Virginia mountains. Basketball typically draws the strongest campus following, with the intimate gym creating an energetic atmosphere during conference play. The athletic programs provide opportunities for student-athletes to compete at a meaningful level while pursuing degrees.