Colorado State University-Fort Collins Athletics

The Rams compete in NCAA Division I, meaning big-time college sports with athletic scholarships and serious competition. Just 1.4% of CSU's 25,148 students are varsity athletes across 12 sports. The university distributes over $10.5 million in athletic scholarships annually. CSU belongs to the Mountain West Conference, facing regional rivals in football and basketball. The biggest rivalry burns with the University of Colorado Boulder Buffaloes in the annual Rocky Mountain Showdown football game. Hughes Stadium used to pack 34,000 fans before the team moved to the new on-campus Canvas Stadium in 2017. The football program has produced NFL talent like linebacker Shaquil Barrett. Basketball generates solid fan support, while the school's outdoor recreation culture means many students prefer hiking and skiing to watching games.