The Shawnee State Bears are the athletic teams for Shawnee State University. SSU has a rich tradition of success in athletics since its inception in 1986. Shawnee State is currently a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA Division II in basketball).

SSU has participated in 24 National Championships in 6 of 11 sponsored sports. The SSU women’s basketball team won the NAIA Division II National Championship on March 16, 1999 with an 80-65 win over the University of Saint Francis (Indiana). Shawnee State was a member of the American Mideast Conference (AMC) from 1991 until 2010, the Bears have won 17 conference championships. In November 2009 the university announced.