Emporia State Hornets
The Emporia State Hornets are the athletic teams that represent Emporia State University (ESU). The women's basketball and softball teams use the name Lady Hornets. The university's athletic program fields 15 varsity teams in 11 sports all of whom have combined to win 50 conference championships as well as three national championships (1 NAIA, 1 AIAW and 1 NCAA). Corky the Hornet serves as the mascot representing the teams, and the school colors are black and gold. Emporia State participates in the NCAA Division II and has been a member of the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA) since 1991.
| Emporia State Hornets | |
|---|---|
| University | Emporia State University |
| Conference | MIAA |
| NCAA | Division II |
| Athletic director | David Spafford |
| Location | Emporia, Kansas |
| Varsity teams | 15 (7 men's, 8 women's) |
| Football stadium | Francis G. Welch Stadium |
| Basketball arena | William L. White Auditorium |
| Baseball stadium | Trusler Sports Complex |
| Softball stadium | Trusler Sports Complex |
| Mascot | Corky the Hornet |
| Nickname | Hornets |
| Fight song | "Fight On Emporia!" |
| Colors | Black and gold |
| Website | esuhornets |
The university's athletic director is David Spafford, who began his tenure on July 17, 2022. The Hornet football team has been coached by Garin Higgins since 2007. Toby Wynn was named head coach of the Lady Hornets basketball program in 2018. The women's basketball program is the school's only NCAA championship, which the team won during the 2010 tournament. The men's basketball team is currently coached by Craig Doty, a three-time championship coach.