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The sports teams representing Southern Utah University, playing in the Western Athletic Conference for most sports, as well as the football-only United Athletic Conference. While SUU is a member of NCAA Division I, it lacks the high profile of some other schools in the state, most notably Utah in Salt Lake City and BYU in Provo, in no small part because its football team plays in the second-level Division I FCS. On the plus side, this means ticket prices are considerably lower than those for more prominent teams. The most prominent venues, both on campus, are Eccles Coliseum for football and America First Event Center for basketball, volleyball, and women's gymnastics.
The Southern Utah Thunderbirds are the varsity athletic teams representing Southern Utah University in Cedar City, Utah in intercollegiate athletics. The university sponsors thirteen teams including five men's sports: basketball, cross country, football, golf, and track and field and eight women's sports: basketball, cross country, golf, gymnastics, soccer, softball, track and field, and volleyball. The baseball program was dropped after the 2011–12 season. The Thunderbirds compete in NCAA Division I as part of the Big Sky Conference, after departing from the Western Athletic Conference on July 1, 2026. Previously, the Thunderbirds competed as members of the Summit League and the American West Conference.
Founded in 1961, the Utah Shakespearean Festival takes place each year on the campus of Southern Utah University from June to October.
Southern Utah's premier ski resort. Winter activities include skiing, tubing, and bag jump. Summer activities include biking, hiking, golf, and geo-caching.