The university is primarily a member of the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC), and currently sponsors 18 NCAA Division II teams.

The NSIC was affiliated with NAIA National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics until 1995, the conference then joined NCAA Division II.

Cloud State competed as a member of the North Central Conference at the NCAA Division II level from 1982 to 2008.

The Huskies men's team have played in the National Collegiate Hockey Conference (NCHC) since the 2013–2014 season.

Cloud State University include Husky Stadium (football and soccer), Halenbeck Hall (indoor track and field, swimming and diving, volleyball, wrestling and basketball), the Herb Brooks National Hockey Center (ice hockey) and Selke Field (softball).

Among the renovations are expanded luxury suites, a new main entrance, and improvements to the ticketing, administration, university store, concourses, restrooms and concession areas.

Along with Chuck Spoden and Kenny Mitchell, Nelson founded the first SCSU cross country team.

Others have played professionally in Arena Football such as SCSU All American Ben Nelson and Fred Williams.

Diver Nate Jimmerson won the NCAA Division II men's one- and three-meter diving titles in 2008.

Cloud State athlete Mary Ahlin won the NCAA Division II titles in women's one- and three-meter diving in 1998 and 1999, while Sarah Loquai won the NCAA Division II women's one-meter diving in 1997.

Cloud State women's ice hockey player Jessica Kresa is now a professional wrestler under the name ODB.

Hockey Hall of Famer Frank Brimsek played for the Huskies in 1933-34 before going on to a sterling professional career with the Boston Bruins and Chicago from 1938 to 1950.

He helped the Boston Bruins win two Stanley Cup titles and he is a member of both the international and United States Hockey Hall of Fames.

Cloud State players to skate in the NHL include Sam LoPresti, Len Esau, Steve Martinson, Tyler Arnason, Casey Borer, Tim Conboy, Matt Cullen, Jeff Finger, Bret Hedican, Joe Jensen, Fred Knipscheer, Ryan Malone, Joe Motzko, Mark Parrish, Duvie Westcott, Mark Hartigan, Andreas Nodl, Nate Raduns, Matt Hendricks, Andrew Gordon, Oliver Lauridsen, Ben Hanowski, Drew LeBlanc Ryan Poehling, Jimmy Schuldt, and Blake Lizotte.