La Sierra University Athletics

La Sierra competes in the NJCAA, which represents junior college-level athletics despite being a four-year university. The Golden Eagles field 9 varsity sports with 163 total athletes, meaning about 14% of the 1,155-student body participates in athletics. The school awards $240,508 in athletic scholarships across all sports programs. NJCAA competition typically features less intense recruiting and smaller crowds compared to NCAA Division I programs, but offers more competitive play than intramural sports. The athletic program reflects the university's Seventh-day Adventist values, with games and practices scheduled around religious observances. As a small private institution in Riverside, La Sierra's sports culture focuses more on student development and community building rather than major athletic achievements or championship pursuits.