LIU Sharks

The LIU Sharks are the athletics teams for Long Island University in Brooklyn and Brookville, New York. They play in NCAA Division I and are part of the Northeast Conference.

The LIU Sharks started in July 2019 when the sports teams from two LIU campuses joined together. Before this, one team, the LIU Brooklyn Blackbirds, played in NCAA Division I, and the other, the NCAA Division II LIU Post Pioneers, played at a lower level. Joining together made one strong team for all LIU sports.

History

Long Island University started its sports teams in 1926. They were called the Blue Devils because of their blue uniforms. In 1935, the school changed to black uniforms. A reporter said they looked like blackbirds, so they became known as the Blackbirds.

In 1954, another campus called LIU Post began its sports teams. Over the years, the two campuses won many championships together.

On October 3, 2018, Long Island University announced it would combine the sports teams from both campuses into one team starting in 2019. The new team was named the LIU Sharks on May 15, 2019. The Sharks kept all the sports from both old teams and added a few new ones. Some sports are played at the Brooklyn campus, while others are at the Brookville campus.

Spirit squads

In 2025, the LIU spirit squads won a big honor. They won their third national title in a row. They won in the Open Spirit Program Game Day category at the UCA & UDA College Cheerleading and Dance Team National Championships.

NCAA team championships

The LIU Sharks have won several NCAA championships. When they were called the LIU Post Pioneers, they won the Men's Division II Lacrosse Championship in 1996, 2009, and 2010. They also won the Women's Division II Lacrosse Championship in 2001, 2007, 2012, and 2013.

* Both competing as LIU Post Pioneers.