Oakwood University Athletics

Oakwood competes in the NAIA, a mid-level division where sports matter but don't dominate campus life like major universities. The Ambassadors field teams in seven varsity sports with 118 total athletes. That means roughly 9% of students compete at the varsity level, creating a tight-knit athletic community where everyone knows the players. The university distributes $354,000 in athletic scholarships across all sports. As a historically Black Seventh-day Adventist institution, Oakwood emphasizes character development through athletics alongside competition. The small enrollment of 1,253 students means games feel intimate and personal rather than massive spectacles. Players often balance rigorous academic schedules with training, reflecting the university's commitment to developing well-rounded student-athletes who embody both athletic excellence and spiritual values.