University of Nebraska at Kearney Athletics

Nebraska-Kearney competes in NCAA Division II, which offers athletic scholarships but maintains a balance between competition and academics rather than the big-time atmosphere of Division I. The Lopers field teams in 13 varsity sports with 449 total athletes, meaning about 11% of students participate in varsity athletics. They compete in the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association alongside regional rivals. The athletic department awards $2.7 million in scholarships annually. Wrestling has historically been the school's strongest program, with the Lopers earning multiple national championships and producing Olympic competitors. The nickname "Lopers" reflects the antelope that roam the Nebraska plains. Most games draw modest but loyal crowds from the surrounding rural communities that the university serves.