Western Kentucky University Athletics

Western Kentucky competes in NCAA Division I, meaning serious athletic programs with full scholarships and regional television coverage. The Hilltoppers field 12 varsity sports with 364 total athletes, representing about 3% of the student body. WKU distributes $6.2 million in athletic scholarships annually across all programs. The university competes in Conference USA, a mid-major conference that offers solid competition without the massive budgets of power conferences. Basketball traditionally draws the strongest following on "The Hill," with E.A. Diddle Arena serving as the home court. Football has seen increased investment and attention in recent years. The Hilltoppers maintain heated rivalries with Middle Tennessee State and Eastern Kentucky, games that generate genuine passion among students and alumni throughout south-central Kentucky.