Both the men's and women's teams share the name, competing in 34 National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I sports.

The Bears first fielded a football team in 1878, playing Amherst College in their inaugural game.

[3] The Bears participate in the following varsity sports: In 2011, a Special Committee recommended that Brown cut four varsity sports due to Brown's budget cut backs—men's fencing, women's fencing, men's wrestling, and women's skiing—and recommended elevating at least one women's sport to varsity status to ensure Title IX compliance.

The Brown Bears men's lacrosse team competes in the Ivy League and plays its home games at Stevenson-Pincince Field.

The Brown Bears men's soccer team compete in the NCAA Division I in the Ivy League.

[7] The Katherine Moran Coleman Aquatics Center is home to Brown's swimming, diving, and water polo teams.

Despite its club status, Brown men's rugby is supported by an endowment raised by Brown rugby alumni that exceeds $1.5 million; this endowment funds the full-time professional head coaching position and other expenses.

[18] The burro mascot was not retained after it seemed frightened by the noise of the game, and due to the laughter it provoked.

[18] Bruno, Brown's current mascot, was introduced in 1921, originally also as a live bear.