Athletic Life

Intercollegiate Athletics

Chowan University is an NCAA Division II, Conference Carolinas, and Gulf South Conference (affiliate member) institution sponsoring 21 varsity programs and two developmental teams, baseball and men's basketball.

NCAA Division II Philosophy

Members of NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) Division II believe that a well-conducted intercollegiate athletics program, based on sound educational principles and practices, is a proper part of the educational mission of a university or college and that the educational welfare of the participating student-athlete is of primary concern.

Members support the following principles in the belief that these objectives assist in defining the division and the possible differences between it and other divisions of the Association.

A member of NCAA Division II:

1. Believes in promoting the academic success of its student-athletes, measured in part by an institution’s student-athletes graduating at least at the same rate as the institutions student body;
2. Believes that participation in intercollegiate athletics benefits the educational experience of its student-athletes and the entire campus community;
3. Believes in offering opportunities for intercollegiate athletics participation consistent with the institution’s mission and philosophy;
4. Believes in preparing student-athletes to be good citizens, leaders and contributors in their communities;
5. Believes in striving for equitable participation and competitive excellence, encouraging sportsmanship and ethical conduct, enhancing diversity and developing positive societal attitudes in all of its athletics endeavors;
6. Believes in scheduling the majority of its athletics competition with other members of NCAA Division II, insofar as regional qualification, geographical location and traditional or conference scheduling patterns permit;
7. Recognizes the need to “balance” the role of the athletics program to serve both the campus (participants, student body, faculty-staff) and the general public (community, area, state);
8. Believes in offering opportunity for participation in intercollegiate athletics by awarding athletically related financial aid to its student-athletes;
9. Believes that institutional control is a fundamental principle that supports the educational mission of a NCAA Division II institution and assumes presidential involvement and commitment. The institution should control all funds supporting athletics. The emphasis for an athletics department should be to operate within an institutionally approved budget and compliance with self-enforcement of NCAA regulations is an expectation of membership;
10. Believes that all members of NCAA Division II should commit themselves to this philosophy and to the regulations and programs of NCAA Division II;
11. Many NCAA Division II student-athletes pay for school through a combination of scholarship money, grants, student loans and employment earnings.

Athletic Department Philosophy

The program of intercollegiate athletics is and will be administered in accordance with a statement of philosophy, which is consistent with the purpose and goals of the University, the NCAA, the Gulf South Conference (GSC), and Conference Carolinas.

The Chowan University Athletic Department seeks to provide an environment for student-athlete development that supports the pursuit of the highest level of success both athletically and academically. The Chowan University Athletic Department is committed to fostering an environment that is anchored in teaching, serving, competing, and exceling on and off the field.

The intercollegiate athletic program at Chowan University endeavors to contribute to the total education of each individual student by providing a disciplined teaching/learning experience outside the classroom. The athletic program strives to provide an environment of wholesome competition to assist in the development of responsible citizens. The athletic experience seeks to foster the personal qualities of high ethical values, a competitive spirit, winning as a part of a team, and excelling individually, cooperation, self-discipline and self-esteem in keeping with the Christian purpose of the institution. Student-athletes may develop their athletic interest and potential through a variety of intercollegiate sports which are financially supported within the University’s budget.

The intercollegiate program also endeavors to stimulate the creation of spirit, pride, and unity within the entire community. It seeks to provide wholesome entertainment for the University and for the citizens of the surrounding areas. It strives to create a positive public image contributing both to the recruitment of students and to the support of the University from its many publics.

Sports Offered at Chowan

Men’s 

• Baseball
• Basketball
• Competitive Cheerleading (Co-Ed)
• Cross Country
• Esports (Co-Ed)
• Football
• Golf
• Lacrosse
• Soccer
• Swimming
• Tennis

Women’s

• Basketball
• Competitive Cheerleading (Co-Ed)
• Cross Country
• Esports (Co-Ed)
• Lacrosse
• Soccer
• Softball
• Swimming
• Tennis
• Volleyball

Other

• Developmental Sports – Baseball and Men’s Basketball

Conference Affiliation

Chowan University is a member in Conference Carolinas for 20 of its 21 NCAA varsity sponsored sports and both developmental sports. Conference Carolinas is a NCAA Division II athletics conference headquartered in Greenville, SC. Member schools are located in Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee. Chowan will maintain an associate conference membership with the GSC (Gulf South Conference) for football.