The Antelopes began play during the college's first academic year, initially only with a men's basketball team due to the school's small size.

On November 27, 2012, Grand Canyon University announced that it had accepted an invitation to join Division I's Western Athletic Conference, effective July 1, 2013.

[6] This move made Grand Canyon the only for-profit institution with a Division I athletic program.

[7] Pac-12 Conference officials initially took issue with GCU's business model before eventually reversing course.

In July 2013, the chief executives of all 12 members of the sent a joint letter to the NCAA asking that the organization review whether for-profit institutions have a place in Division I sports.

[8] Later that year, Arizona State University issued a separate statement questioning the school's allegiance to the NCAA's business model.

[14] The university announced a five-year sponsorship deal with Nike on May 27, 2015, as a part of Grand Canyon's athletic expansion.

On August 23, 2017, the NCAA officially approved Grand Canyon's move to Division I, elevating the university to active membership status.

[15] The women's golf program became the first team to represent the school in NCAA DI postseason in 2018.

[16] GCU quickly thrived in the WAC, winning six straight Commissioner's Cups for fully completed school years as the conference's top-performing athletics department.

Croatian national team player Emilio Kovačić played his first university basketball seasons in Grand Canyon, before leaving to Arizona State.

With over 30 programs offered, GCU's club sports teams have dedicated coaching staffs, athletic trainers and sometimes travel for competition.

*Brazell began working at the school as a coach and professor in 1953, but was first referred to as athletic director in 1962.