Southern Nazarene University Athletics

Southern Nazarene competes in NCAA Division II, which sits between the big-money spectacle of Division I and the purely recreational focus of Division III. The Crimson Storm fields 18 varsity sports with 565 total athletes, meaning about 39% of the student body participates in varsity athletics. This unusually high participation rate creates a campus where sports matter both competitively and socially. The university invests heavily in athletics with $4.7 million in athletic scholarships annually. SNU competes in the Great American Conference alongside regional rivals like Oklahoma Baptist and Ouachita Baptist. The school has built a reputation for competitive basketball programs and strong cross country teams. Division II allows for athletic scholarships while maintaining academic focus, creating an environment where student-athletes can pursue both competitive sports and rigorous academics without the overwhelming time demands of Division I programs.