Texas Southern University Athletics

Texas Southern competes in NCAA Division I, meaning the Tigers offer athletic scholarships and face top-level competition. The university fields 12 varsity sports with 343 total athletes, representing about 5% of the 6,619-student body. Athletic scholarships total nearly $3.7 million annually. The Tigers compete in the Southwestern Athletic Conference, which features other historically black universities. Texas Southern maintains a heated rivalry with Prairie View A&M University, particularly in football and basketball. The university has produced notable NFL talent, including former New York Giants defensive end Michael Strahan, who later became a television personality. The Tigers' athletic programs serve as a source of pride and tradition within the HBCU community, drawing alumni and community support to campus events throughout the academic year.