Shaw University Athletics

Shaw's Bears compete in NCAA Division II, which offers athletic scholarships but with less intensity than Division I programs. The university fields 13 varsity sports and distributes $2.6 million in athletic scholarships across 366 student-athletes. About 44% of Shaw's 839 students participate in varsity athletics, creating a tight-knit athletic community. The Bears compete in the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA), the nation's oldest historically black athletic conference. Shaw has traditionally been competitive in basketball and football within the CIAA. The conference championship tournaments, particularly in basketball, are major events that bring together HBCU alumni and fans across the region. Division II athletics at Shaw provide genuine competition and scholarship opportunities while maintaining focus on academics and graduation.