Furman University

Varsity Athletics

With less than 3,000 undergraduates, Furman University is one of the smallest schools competing in NCAA Division I athletics. That, however, hasn't prevented us from producing big results.

A member of the Southern Conference for most sports, we have 20 varsity programs at Furman — 10 teams for women and 10 for men. Our teams have won 59 regular season and tournament championships and have made 43 NCAA postseason appearances. In fact, our football program became the first private institution to win the NCAA I-AA national championship in 1988. Beginning in 2014, we plan to add to that championship tradition by competing in men's and women's lacrosse.

Our teams have sent a number of players to the professional ranks, including golf standouts like Beth Daniel, Brad Faxon, Betsy King and Dottie Pepper. Clint Dempsey, a former Furman standout and member of the U.S. men's soccer team, holds the record for the most goals scored by an American in England's Premier League.

Naturally, the success of our teams and student-athletes has bred excitement on campus. On football weekends, the parking lots around Paladin Stadium are packed with students and alumni tailgating before kickoff. Our students have a tradition of going formal for the games, so don't be surprised to see someone sporting a seersucker suit on game day. But whether you choose to dress up or not, you'll have plenty of opportunities to catch Furman fever.

NCAA Division I Intercollegiate Athletics