Sterling College Athletics

Sterling College competes in the NJCAA, which is junior college athletics despite being a four-year school. The Warriors field 18 varsity teams with 406 total athletes, meaning 71% of the 569-student body participates in athletics. This makes Sterling one of the most athletic-heavy campuses in the country. The school distributed $3.6 million in athletic scholarships last year. NJCAA competition typically features smaller schools with limited budgets competing at a developmental level below NCAA divisions. Sterling's high participation rate reflects the rural Kansas culture where athletics serve as a major campus connector. The Warriors compete in multiple sports throughout the academic year. With nearly three out of four students playing a sport, athletics define much of the social fabric at this small Presbyterian college in central Kansas.