In accordance with the institutional mission of Francis Marion University, the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics is an integral part of the institution providing high quality, comprehensive athletic programs accessible to all university students, personnel, and the outside community. The Department offers extensive opportunities for both men and women to participate in varsity intercollegiate athletics by sponsoring a variety of sports which maintain Peach Belt Conference and National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Divisions I & II affiliations. The Department staff and coaches will comply with NCAA, Peach Belt Conference, university, and state regulations and laws. The Department offers coaching and supervision which encourage sportsmanship and emphasize amateurism, while enhancing the physical and emotional well-being and social development of student-athletes, including gender issues, ethnic diversity and sexual orientation-related issues. The Department strives for competitive excellence while stressing academic success, reflecting a clear understanding of the educational support role of athletics in the broader mission of the institution. The policies and actions of the Athletic Department personnel continually strive to ensure that the best interests of the university, its administration, financial assistance, faculty, staff, students, and student-athletes are well served.

In August of 2005, the University’s Board of Trustees approved the Athletic Department’s philosophy and purpose statement.