Varsity Athletics
Eastern has been a member of NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) Division I since the 1983-84 school year. For most of its history, Eastern was a member of the NAIA (National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics) before upgrading its programs and becoming affiliated with the NCAA. Eastern Washington has been a member of the Big Sky athletic conference since 1987. The school's mascot is Swoop and the school's colors are red and white.
In the past, EWU had varsity programs in baseball, wrestling, and gymnastics. In 2010, EWU won the NCAA Division I FCS National Championship, EWU's first national championship at the Division I level for any sport.
In 1973, the student body voted to make Eastern’s mascot the Eagles. Shortly before that, the Eastern Board of Trustees declared "Savages," its mascot through its first 92 years, no longer acceptable. Eagles are native to eastern Washington and thus a logical choice for a replacement.
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