The Hardrockers primarily compete as a member of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference for all 11 varsity sports.

The history of the athletic programs stretch back to 1895 when the first school football team formed, originally named the "Longhairs.

The last football game of the regular season between the two schools is called the Black Hills Brawl, whose winner gets the traveling Homestake Trophy.

The Hardrockers' other current rivalries include Colorado School of Mines and Chadron State College.

The Eagle-Rock Trophy was created in 2016 to commemorate the past football games and proximity with Chadron State.