The team competes in NCAA Division II as a member of the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA).

[8][9] In 1906, the Livingstone self-proclaimed themselves "The Colored College Champions" under head coach Benjamin Butler Church.

[citation needed] In 1992, the 1892 football team was inducted into the Livingstone College Athletics Hall of Fame.

[11] In 1994, the Blue Bears hired Rudy Abrams, a Livingstone alumni, as their head coach.

In 1997, he led them to an 8–2 (6–2) regular season record and a CIAA co-championship before losing in the inaugural Pioneer Bowl to Kentucky State, 30–26.

In 1998, he led them to another CIAA co-championship with a 7–3 (6–2) regular season record before again losing in the Pioneer Bowl, this time to Tuckegee, 23–9.

[13] In 2019, both Charles Cooley and Michael Posey were inducted into the Livingstone College Athletics Hall of Fame.