Delta State University Athletics

Delta State competes in NCAA Division II, which offers athletic scholarships but with smaller crowds than major college sports. The university fields 13 varsity teams as the Statesmen in the Gulf South Conference. With 338 total athletes among 1,613 students, about 21% of the campus participates in varsity athletics. The athletic program awards $1,798,326 in scholarships annually. Delta State has built a reputation for excellence in several sports, particularly baseball and football, within the competitive Gulf South Conference that includes regional rivals across Alabama, Mississippi, and surrounding states. The Statesmen have historically performed well in conference play, making athletics a visible part of campus life in this small Mississippi Delta town where games draw community support.