Athletics Athletics Respected and nationally competitive, the Illinois State intercollegiate athletic program represents and reflects the high standards of success in student endeavors across the campus. Nearly 400 student-athletes compete nationally for the Redbirds, but thousands of other students have important roles in Redbird athletic competition as fans, student managers, student trainers, student reporters, and more. The Redbird athletic program offers 10 sports for men and 10 for women. The football team competes in the Gateway Football Conference. Illinois State teams have won 68 conference championships since 1982.
Redbirds are consistently among conference leaders in home attendance.
The NCAA student-athlete graduation rate of 63 percent exceeds the national average. Spring 1994 was the fifth straight semester of record high grade point averages for all student-athletes. Minimum score of 17 on the ACT or 700 on the SAT and a minimum grade point average of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale. Certification by the NCAA clearinghouse.