Clayton State University Athletics

Clayton State competes in NCAA Division II, where sports matter but don't dominate campus life like at major universities. The Lakers field 10 varsity teams with 155 total athletes, meaning just 3.5% of the 4,390-student body participates in varsity athletics. The athletic program receives $960,826 in scholarship funding spread across all sports. Clayton State belongs to the Peach Belt Conference, competing against other regional schools primarily in Georgia and the Carolinas. Division II strikes a balance between competitive athletics and academic focus, offering partial scholarships rather than the full rides common in Division I. The Lakers don't have a dominant sports culture, but athletics provide opportunities for student-athletes to compete at a meaningful level while pursuing their degrees.