[6] The school has participated in practically every level of collegiate athletics from its inception as a junior college in 1923 to its realization as a university in 1971.

Athletics at Lamar University began when the school opened as South Park Junior College in September 1923.

Over ten LU players have moved on to play in the MLB, such as Kevin Millar and Brian Sanches.

[18] The Cardinals under Coach Billy Tubbs (1976–1980) had a Cinderella story NCAA tournament, advancing to the Sweet 16.

[20] During the game, Mike Olliver set the single game scoring record at Lamar with 50 points; that record stood until January 4, 2011, when reserve guard Mike James scored 52 points in 28 minutes in a 114–62 win over Division III Louisiana College.

Following Pat Foster, there was a period of several short-term head coaches, including Tom Abatemarco (1986–1988), Tony Branch (1988–1990), and Mike Newell (1990–1993).

In addition to Athletics Director, Tubbs returned as the Cardinals basketball team head coach in 2003 following Mike Deane's reassignment.

Coach Roc's time at Lamar has been marked by some successes and very highly ranked recruiting classes.

[27] The Cardinals played Vermont in the 2012 NCAA tournament[28] After failing to win more than three games each of the next two seasons, Coach Knight was relieved of his duties in February 2014.

Football went independent when Lamar left the SLC in 1987 to join the basketball-flavored American South Conference.

Dismal support finally led to larger-than-expected deficits and provided the bottom line fodder for five new appointees to the then-Lamar board of regents to pull the plug on football at their first official session in 1989 (5 to 4 vote).

The university hired former NFL player Ray Woodard as the head coach to lead the charge in bringing the Cardinals back to the gridiron.

Former basketball coach Billy Tubbs was hired as the athletic director in 2006 and had a significant role in bringing back the Cardinals Football team.

In preparation for the return of play the university did extensive work on the facilities including, Provost Umphrey Stadium, a new Athletic complex, and high class suites built into the existing Montagne Center.

The men's golf team has been ranked in the top 10 nationally and has won over 30 conference titles.

[37] The team has had many alumni continue on to the PGA Tour including Trevor Dodds, Dawie van der Walt, John Riegger, Chris Stroud and Kelly Gibson.

Since their first season in 1952, the Cardinals have won numerous team championships at the national, regional, and conference levels over the years.

Cardinals have also had success at the Singles and Doubles level including national, regional, and conference championships.

[47] The track & field team was built around distance and sprints running until recently but has expanded the program to include jumps and multis with the hire of Jake Cohen.

In the 1991 NCAA Division I women's basketball tournament, Lamar under coach Al Barbre made a run as a tenth seed in the Austin regional.

Coach Larry Tidwell turned the team around from a struggling program to a perennial power in the Southland Conference.

The Cardinals continued post season play under Coach Tidwell in 2013 competing in the 2013 Women's Basketball Invitational tournament.

After a fourteen-year gap, the Lady Cardinals won the 2023 Southland Conference cross country championship.

All-Americans Lady Cardinals soccer began its inaugural season in 2007 under coach Mathew Dillon.

On April 22, 2011, athletic director Larry Tidwell announced plans to reinstate college softball as an NCAA Division I sport at Lamar University.

[64] The inaugural game of the newly reinstated program was played on September 22, 2012, before a standing room only crowd vs Texas Woman's University.

Competing every season since 1976, the Lady Cardinals tennis team is currently coached by David Wong who is in his fourteenth (14th) year at Lamar.

McDonald Gym underwent renovations at the same time the Sheila Umphrey Recreational Sports Center was constructed.

[82] The Lady Cardinals played the 2012–2013 and 2013–2014 seasons at an off campus site, Ford Park Softball Complex.

[84] The first game at the partially completed softball complex was played on March 6 against the Houston Baptist Huskies.