LIU Sharks

The LIU Sharks are the athletics teams representing Long Island University's (LIU) campuses in Brooklyn and Brookville, New York. They compete in NCAA Division I sports and belong to the Northeast Conference.

The LIU Sharks were created in July 2019 when the athletic departments of two separate LIU campuses joined together. Before this, one team, the LIU Brooklyn Blackbirds, competed in NCAA Division I, while the other, the NCAA Division II LIU Post Pioneers, competed at a different level. This unification allowed LIU to have one strong team for all its sports.

History

Long Island University started its sports teams in 1926, and they were called the Blue Devils because of their blue uniforms. In 1935, the school changed to black uniforms, and 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 achieved a big honor by winning 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 in the past. As 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.