UW–Parkside has been a member of the GLIAC since the 2018–19 school year, at which time it adopted its current athletic branding as "Parkside".

The Rangers were previously members of the Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC) from 1994–95 to 2017–18.

In January 2011 Ranger Bear qualified for the first time for the Universal Cheer Association Mascot Nationals, where he took third place.

UWP teams have yet to win a national championship at the Division II level.

However, Ranger athletes have won a total of eight individual NCAA championships: one in women's indoor track and field and seven in wrestling.