Athletics Overview
Southern Utah competes in NCAA Division I, meaning big-time college athletics with full scholarships and serious competition. The Thunderbirds field 11 varsity sports with 373 total athletes, representing about 3.9% of the student body. The athletic department awards over $5.2 million in scholarships annually. SUU plays in the Western Athletic Conference alongside schools like Utah Tech and Abilene Christian. The program has grown since moving to Division I in 2012. Basketball games at the America First Event Center create solid home-court advantage in this remote mountain town. The football team competes at the FCS level, where playoffs determine a true national champion. Cedar City's 10,000 residents often turn out for games, making athletics a genuine community event in southern Utah.
Athletics Details
Source: EADA / U.S. Department of Education
- Athletic Association
- NCAA Division I
- Conference
- Western Athletic Conference
- Team Nickname
- Thunderbirds
- Varsity Sports
- 11
- Student-Athletes
- 373
- Athletic Scholarships
- $5,204,718
Sports
Men's (4)
- Basketball
- Football
- Golf
- Track and Field and Cross Country (combined)
Women's (7)
- Basketball
- Golf
- Gymnastics
- Soccer
- Softball
- Track and Field and Cross Country (combined)
- Volleyball