Clarke University Athletics

Clarke University competes in NAIA athletics, which sits between Division I powerhouses and Division III's focus on personal enrichment. The Pride fields 19 varsity sports with 618 total athletes, meaning nearly 79% of the student body participates in varsity athletics. This creates an unusually athletic campus culture where most students are either competing or supporting teammates. The university awards $11.2 million in athletic scholarships, demonstrating serious commitment to recruiting talent. Clarke competes in the Heart of America Athletic Conference against regional rivals. The high participation rate reflects the school's Catholic mission of developing the whole person through academics, service, and physical activity. With such a large percentage of student-athletes, sports become central to campus life rather than just weekend entertainment.