Central Washington University Athletics

Central Washington competes in NCAA Division II, which offers athletic scholarships but operates below the highest level of college sports. The Wildcats field 11 varsity teams and award $2.7 million in athletic scholarships annually. With 426 total athletes among 8,081 students, about 5.3% of the student body participates in varsity athletics. The university competes in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference alongside other regional schools. Central Washington maintains a rivalry with Western Washington University, reflecting the broader geographic divide between eastern and western parts of the state. The athletics program fits the school's identity as a regional full university, providing competitive opportunities without the massive scale of Division I programs. Student-athletes benefit from both scholarship support and the chance to compete at a meaningful level while maintaining focus on academics.