Winston-Salem State University Athletics

Winston-Salem State competes in NCAA Division II, which offers athletic scholarships but with less intensity than major college sports. The Rams field 11 varsity sports with 213 total athletes, meaning about 5% of the 4,244 students participate in varsity athletics. The university allocates $1.5 million in athletic scholarships across all sports. Winston-Salem State competes in the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association alongside other historically Black universities. The school maintains a heated rivalry with North Carolina A&T State University. The basketball program has produced notable talent, including NBA Hall of Famer Earl Monroe who starred here in the 1960s. The Rams have historically been competitive in basketball and football within the CIAA conference. Student-athletes balance competition with academics in a supportive Division II environment that emphasizes both athletic achievement and educational success.