At the Mount, we don't just recruit players, we build togetherness. As our student athletes prepare to wear the blue and gold, we pride ourselves on a culture where every roar matters and every athlete is supported. To stay up to date with the latest stats, schedules, and rosters, please visit msjlions.com.

There's a Lion in Each of Us

The Mount has become a conference and regional powerhouse in several sports, and has received national recognition in volleyball, football, men's basketball, softball and wrestling. Mount athletes are regularly included on all-academic teams at the conference, district and national levels. The 19 intercollegiate athletics programs and three varsity teams at Mount St. Joseph University have been built on a strong foundation based on a student first philosophy. All teams emphasize and encourage academic success, followed closely by athletic achievement. Go to the official website of the MSJ Lions here and get the latest on every sport, every team, including upcoming games, scores, ticket information, and more.

NCAA Division III & Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference Member

As an NCAA Division III institution located within the Greater Cincinnati area, Mount St. Joseph University prioritizes the overall quality of the educational experience, ensuring that athletics remain an integral part of a student’s academic journey and successful program completion. The Mount is proud to be among 442 schools competing in Division III and a member of the 10-institution Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference (HCAC), which consists of private, independent colleges across "America’s Heartland" in Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana. Learn more at The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) here.
baseball

cheer

cross country

dance

esports

football

basketball

women's volleyball

wrestling

softball

track and field

women's golf

women's soccer

Athletic Offerings at Mount St. Joseph University

  NCAA Division III Women’s Sports and NCAA Division III Men’s Sports

We offer women’s athletic teams in:

  • Basketball
  • Cross country
  • Golf
  • Indoor Track & Field
  • Outdoor Track & Field
  • Soccer
  • Softball
  • Volleyball
  • Wrestling

We offer men’s athletic teams in:

  • Baseball
  • Basketball
  • Cross country
  • Football
  • Golf
  • Indoor Track & Field
  • Outdoor Track & Field
  • Soccer
  • Volleyball
  • Wrestling
  Co-ed Sports
  • Cheerleading
  • Dance
  • Esports, including:
    • Fortnite
    • Madden NFL
    • Overwatch 2
    • Rocket League
    • Valorant
  Intramural Sports
  • Basketball
  • Flag Football
  • Pickleball
  • Spikeball
  • Volleyball
48.9% Athletes
among undergraduate students
Most Powerful
Esports Arena in Greater Cincinnati
#24
best college for sport management
Champion
Athletes and Facilities

Get to Know our Athletic Programs in One Minute Videos Below!

  A Minute with eSports
Level up your game and enjoy the action by visiting our Esports page here!
  A Minute with Track and Field
Relive every record-breaking moment and catch the Lions in action by watching our latest track and field video here.
  A Minute with Softball
From the dirt on the uniforms to the roar of the dugout, get a front-row seat to the energy of our softball season here.
  A Minute with Wrestling
Feel the energy of the arena and the drive of the athletes in our wrestling video here.
  A Minute with Football
From touchdowns to big plays, watch our MSJ football team here.
  A Minute with Women's Basketball
Feel the squeak of the hardwood and the roar of the crowd in our basketball video here.

Launch Experience

Check out our cutting-edge facilities in the MSJ virtual tour.

Take a virtual tour of our Schueler Athletic Complex, Centennial Fieldhouse, Softball Complex, Esports arena, Harrington Gym, and Wrestling room.

Athletic Facilities

  Centennial Fieldhouse and Austin E. Knowlton Fitness Center
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This state-of-the art facility provides indoor, field house practice space for a wide range of sports and a fitness center for the entire student population.

This facility highlights the Mount’s commitment to the balanced development of body, mind, and spirit. One of the most expansive features is a free-spanning indoor practice and training space—the field house—to accommodate several teams and activities, including track & field, softball, baseball, lacrosse, and soccer.

The turf field area is surrounded by an indoor, 200-meter, six-lane running track that is the only indoor NCAA regulation-size track in the region. The second level includes a Fitness Center designed with a full range of state-of-the-art workout and exercise equipment, such as treadmills, stair climbers, and stationary bicycles, as well as elliptical and rowing machines, plus a multi-purpose space for fitness classes and activities.

  Harrington Gym
The 2,000-seat gymnasium is the official home of the Mount St Joseph University's men’s and women’s basketball, men’s and women’s volleyball, and wrestling teams. The center also serves as a training and practice facility for all of the Mount’s 22 varsity sports.

harrington-gym.webp

Director of Athletics, Melanee Wagener

Director of Athletics, Melanee Wagener

"Serving at the Mount, and working with our young student-athletes to grow and graduate as great humans--ready to contribute to the world--is what drives me; to give them the opportunity to compete at their highest levels in academics, sports, and life is what makes me love coming to work every day." 

Head Football Coach, Tyler Hopperton

Head Football Coach, Tyler Hopperton

In several seasons with Tyler Hopperton as Head Coach of the Lions' football team, the Mount has placed 28 Student-Athletes on the All-Conference Team, 19 on the Academic All-Conference Team, broken over 50 MSJ Team and Individual Records, and has had Top 20 National rankings in 10 different team and individual statistical categories.

Baltimore Ravens Head Coach, Jesse Minter '05

Baltimore Ravens Head Coach, Jesse Minter '05

Jesse Minter’s story is not one of overnight success. Rather, it’s one of perseverance, of family, of treating every setback as a learning experience, and living a life with a purpose: to lift others up. "Success related to football would be a player feeling I impacted his career in a positive way, or an organization feeling I’ve impacted it in a positive way," says Jesse.

joe lion

Joe Lion Mascot Program

Joe Lion, the official MSJ mascot, is the heart and soul of the University. The Joe Lion Mascot Program is seeking qualified applicants for the upcoming school year. If you meet this criteria and love the MSJ Lions, you are encouraged to apply. A total of 4 students will be selected, and they will either suit up in the mascot costume, or serve as Joe Lion’s handler at 60-80 events per year. Visit here to learn more about our program.
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Sports News

There's always something happening with the Mount's sports program, teams and athletes. And this is where you'll find out exactly what that is. Every week we've got a new story to inspire, inform, interest, maybe even intrigue. Get a new perspective on the game and the game changers on the field. Visit here to stay up-to-date with the latest stats, stories, and news.

volleyball players

Donate

We are proud to have supporters of the Mount St. Joseph University Athletics Department. If you are interested in supporting one of our athletic programs, learn how you can help give back! By investing in our programs today, you are helping to cultivate the next generation of leaders who will carry the spirit of the Mount from the playing field into their professional careers and communities. Visit here to give today.