Overview

Clarkson University’s athletics department, the Golden Knights, oversees 20 varsity teams and competes in intercollegiate sports. Most teams participate as NCAA Division III programs in the Liberty League, but the men’s and women’s ice hockey teams play at the NCAA Division I level in ECAC Hockey. The department funds and runs sports programs, manages facilities like Cheel Arena, and generates revenue from ticket sales, sponsorships, and championships. A distinctive feature is its dual-division setup: most sports are DIII, while hockey operates in Division I, along with a significant history of success in both leagues. In 2027–28, Clarkson plans to participate in the NCAA’s revenue-sharing framework to help fund opportunities for its student-athletes and programs. The goal is to sustain and grow the athletics program by generating new revenue streams while continuing to compete at high levels, especially in hockey, and provide opportunities for student-athletes to compete and develop.