Even with a relatively young history, Florida International University has bragging rights when it comes to its mighty athletics program. The university’s Modesto A. Maidique campus is situated on 300 acres in Sweetwater. With more than 56,000 students, it’s one of the largest universities in the nation.

When it comes to cheering on their Panthers athletic teams, students arrive decked out in the school’s navy blue and gold colors. FIU’s official team mascot is a playful panther named Roary, and the Florida International University football stadium is now called Pitbull Stadium after the world-famous Mr. 305 bought the naming rights.

Florida International University Sports

Florida International University kicked off its athletics program in 1972, the same year the school opened. The school has 14 Division I athletic teams, with more than 400 students who compete and often place on the Dean’s List.

You name the sport, they play it. FIU offers men’s football, basketball, baseball, soccer and cross country/track as well as women’s basketball, golf, soccer, softball, tennis, cross country/track, swimming & diving, volleyball and beach volleyball.

Where The Panthers Play

Fans congregate for football games at the on-campus Pitbull Stadium, which features a high-tech playing surface, luxury suites for prime viewing, and a Jumbotron screen so fans don’t miss a play.

The basketball teams play at the on-campus Ocean Bank Convocation Center. The space can seat 5,000 FIU fans, and players are treated to amenities such as a hydrotherapy room with a cold plunge and a therapy pool with an underwater treadmill.

The FIU Baseball Stadium is a top-notch facility that seats 2,000 fans. The swimming and diving teams practice and compete at the Biscayne Bay Aquatic Center, which overlooks Biscayne Bay on the university’s other campus in North Miami. It has an eight-lane Olympic pool.

Panther Prowess

The Panthers have snagged 116 All-American honors and appeared in 45 NCAA tournaments across all sports. In 2024, the Panthers claimed four conference championships, including the women's swimming and diving team, which captured its first-ever American Athletic Conference title.

Several famous athletes got their start at FIU, including NFL Pro Bowl wide receiver T.Y. Hilton, Olympic gold medal track champion Tayna Lawrence, and Major League Baseball All-Star and World Series champion Mike Lowell.

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