The Storm previously competed as a member of the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) from 2010–11 to 2016–17; as well as an NCAA D-II Independent from 2008–09 to 2009–10.

Since joining the NCAA Division II ranks, Lake Erie student-athletes have earned 55 All-American honors and five conference championships along with three individual National Champions.

Starting as a club team, they soon moved to Division III after great success and receiving school support and funding.

Lake Erie men's basketball enjoyed its most success competing as an NCAA Division III program.

The 2005–06 team set a program record for victories with 25 and advanced to the AMCC Championship three years in a row with two Division III NCAA Tournament appearances.

In 2013, just its fourth year in competition, the men's lacrosse team reached the NCAA Division II Quarterfinals and junior Trevor Tarte led the nation in goal scoring.

The Lake Erie varsity football program began in 2008 and has been highlighted by a number one national finish in total offense in 2013, the Harlon Hill finalist candidacy of running back Anthony Bilal in 2014 and the school's first-ever NFL signing in 2017.

On December 15, 2020, Kukwa made his first official NFL regular season roster, by being signed to the 2020 Houston Texans Practice Squad.

Edward “Jamil” Dudley became the school's first national champion when he won the high jump at the 2012 NCAA Division II Outdoor Track and Field Championships.