Langston University Athletics

Langston competes in the NAIA, a mid-level athletic division that offers scholarships but attracts smaller crowds than major college sports. The Lions field 11 varsity teams with 236 total athletes, meaning about 14% of the 1,743 students participate in athletics. The school awards $1.0 million in athletic scholarships annually. As a historically black university founded in 1897, Langston has deep ties to HBCU athletic traditions, though the Lions compete against both HBCU and non-HBCU schools in NAIA competition. The athletic program serves as an important part of campus life in rural Oklahoma, where sports provide community gathering opportunities. With a student body that's 76% Black, Langston maintains the competitive spirit typical of HBCUs while operating at a smaller scale than Division I programs.