Florida A&M is a member of the Southwestern Athletic Conference and participates in NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS).

FAMU offers men's sports in baseball, basketball, football, golf, and track and field.

It offers women's sports in basketball, bowling, cheerleading, cross country, softball, tennis, track and field and volleyball.

When Gaither retired after 25 years of coaching in 1969, his FAMU teams had a 203-36-4 (wins-losses-ties) record, for a .844 winning percentage.

On November 15, 2008, Florida A&M football received national attention when ESPN's College GameDay was broadcast live from the campus.