St. Mary's University Athletics

St. Mary's competes in NCAA Division II, which offers athletic scholarships but maintains a balance between academics and athletics without the intensity of Division I. The Rattlers field 12 varsity sports with 267 total athletes, meaning about 14% of the 1,911 students participate in varsity athletics. The university allocates $3.6 million in athletic scholarships across its programs. St. Mary's competes in the Lone Star Conference alongside other Texas schools. The basketball program has historically been the most competitive, occasionally making noise in Division II tournaments. The relatively small campus creates strong support for athletic teams, though game attendance is modest compared to major universities. With nearly 85% of students receiving some form of financial aid, athletic scholarships provide crucial support for student-athletes at this Catholic institution.