| Department overview |
The Department of Intercollegiate Athletics at Central State offers men and women students the opportunity to participate in eleven different sports under the sanctioning of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).Central State participates on the Division II level. Sports for women include volleyball, basketball, cross-country, indoor and outdoor track and field, tennis and golf. Men's sports include basketball, football, cross-country, indoor and outdoor track and field, tennis and golf . Other sports will be added as the student body increases and the financial support is available.
The Athletic history at Central State University is one full of tradition and success. National Championships have been attained in Men's Basketball, Men's and Women's Indoor and Outdoor Track and Football.
The athletic facilities at Central State University are among the best among the NCAA D-II programs of similar size. Beacom/Lewis Gym, home of the volleyball and basketball programs is recently renovated and seats over 2300 for home contests. Home basketball games are broadcast on WCSU 88.9 FM. The track team, which saw 5 alumni participate in the last Olympics, trains and runs home meets on the Josh Culbreath track in McPherson Stadium on Campus. This all weather track is one of the best in the Midwest . The golf team plays its home matches on Sebastian Hills Golf Course in nearby Xenia , OH .
Athletes at Central State are well recognized for the academic achievements. This past year a member of the women's basketball team was recognized as an Arthur Ashe Sports Scholar a national award given to athletes who also achieve academically. Many of our athletes in the past have also honored as NAIA Scholar-Athletes, with the move to NCAA they will be nominated for Verizon/CoSida Academic All-American status. . Additionally, all student-athletes who have a GPA of 3.0 or better each quarter are designated as Scholar-Marauders and receive recognition that increases with consecutive quarters with this distinction. For the academic year 20002-2003 a total of forty percent of our student athletes earned this distinction. At the beginning of the 1999-2000 academic year, President Garland approved the creation of the position of full time academic advisor for the Department of Athletics. The Academic Advisor works with all athletes to ensure their academic success and progress to their respective degree and monitors progress in classes throughout the year.
In order to be eligible to participate in the CSU athletics program entering freshman must meet register with the NCAA Initial Eligibilty Clearinghouse
Coaches: Listed below are the individual sport coaches with their phone numbers.
| Director of Athletics and Student Wellness: | Kellen Winslow, (937)376-6289 |
| Basketball, men: | Doug Lewis, Head Coach (937) 376-6288 |
| Donte Jackson, Assistant Coach (937) 376-6270 | |
| Basketball, women: | Head Coach (937) 376-6322 |
| Sheba Harris '01, Asst. Coach (937) 376-6143 | |
| Volleyball, women: | Raynaldo Gillus, Head Coach (937)376-6107 |
| Track, men & women: | Jahan Culbreath '89, Head Men's Coach (937) 376-6295 |
| Lynn Smith,Head Women's. Coach, (937) 376-6399 | |
| Golf, men & women: | David Scott, Head Coach 937-376-6189 |
| Men and Women’s Tennis | Dante Jackson, Head Coach (937-376-6270 |
| Academic Advisor: | Trona Logan, (937) 376-6143 |
| Cheerleaders / Dance Troupe: | Sylvia Kelley, Director, (937) 376-6289 |
| Sports Information | Kenneth D. Marshall, (937)376-6681 |
| Athletic Training: | LaShaunta Jones, ATC/L (937)376-6617 |
As an integral part of the University's total educational process, Central State University's Department of Athletics provides students an opportunity to enhance their education through participation in intercollegiate athletics. Offering programs in men and women's basketball, men and women's track and field and cross-country, men and women's golf along with women's volleyball, students have the opportunity to build leadership skill, self-esteem, confidence and essential competitive skills. The philosophy of Central State University's Department of Athletics is in harmony with the educational goals of the University and augment the University's initiatives in helping students acquire a broad understanding in the areas of humanities, the natural sciences and the social sciences. Students learn to discipline themselves, participate in teamwork activities and acquire the fundamental skills for pursuing his or her chosen profession.
Since 1960, the University, the Marauders and Lady Marauders have accumulated a number of national championships. They include the following:
| 1960 | NCAA Small College Men's Cross Country |
| 1961 | NCAA Small College Men's Cross Country |
| 1965 | NAIA Men's Basketball |
| 1968 | NAIA Men's Basketball |
| 1990 | NAIA Division I Football |
| 1991 | NAIA Women's Outdoor Track & Field |
| 1992 | NAIA Women's Outdoor Track & Field |
| 1992 | NAIA Division I Football |
| 1993 | NAIA Men's Indoor Track & Field |
| 1993 | NAIA Women's Indoor Track & Field |
| 1993 | NAIA Men's Outdoor Track & Field |
| 1993 | NAIA Women's Outdoor Track & Field |
| 1994 | NAIA Men's Indoor Track & Field |
| 1994 | NAIA Women's Outdoor Track & Field |
| 1995 | NAIA Division I Football |
| 1996 | NAIA Women's Indoor Track & Field |
| 1997 | NAIA Women's Outdoor Track & Field |