[2] Corky the Hornet serves as the mascot representing the teams, and the school colors are black and gold.

Emporia State participates in the NCAA Division II and has been a member of the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA) since 1991.

The Lady Hornets basketball team won the 2010 NCAA Division II National Championship game against Fort Collins, Colorado.

[9] Since 2002, Emporia State has placed in the top 50 out of over 300 Division II schools nationally in the Learfield Sports Director's Cup for 12 straight years with a high of 4th in 2013–14.

[17] Emporia State competes in 16 intercollegiate varsity sports, the newest being disc golf for both men and women.

[18] The team has five conference championships, and two NCAA Division II World Series appearance with a 2009 runner-up.

Some notable coaches are Fred Honhart, George Crispin, Homer Woodson Hargiss, and A.A. Schabinger.

Of its varsity sports, Emporia States's women's basketball team has been the only one to claim a national title.

The Lady Hornets, who was led by head coach Brandon Schneider, won the 2010 NCAA Division II Women's Basketball Championship, defeating the Fort Lewis College (Colorado) Skyhawks.

The cross country teams run their home meets at Jones Park, in Northeast Emporia.

[30] Past football coaches include Homer Woodson Hargiss, Jerry Kill, and Harold Elliott.

[35][36] The softball team appeared in three Women's College World Series in 1971, 1972 and 1979[33] and also won the first AIAW Division II national championship in 1980.

Since joining the MIAA, the women's team has won two conference championships in 2005 and 2007, and have participated in the NCAA tournament four years, advancing to the Sweet 16 in 2007.

[42] The stadium, who is named for long-time Emporia State coach and athletic director Fran Welch, opened in 1947 and since then has gone under a few renovations.

Improvements done in 1994 include installation of a new scoreboard and fence as well as remodelling of entrance areas, concessions, and washrooms.

[44] In 2008, a new scoreboard and video screen were installed, and the arena floor was refinished and a refreshed logo added.

[49] The lyrics for the fight song were written by Alfred Thompson (BME '34), student at Kansas State Teachers College.

[49] Tom Isern wrote the lyrics for ESU's alma mater and the music was composed by Joseph Ott.