Athletics

Scene 1: A member of the KC Roos women's soccer team scores a goal, then jumps on a team mate to celebrate. Scene 2: A women's softball player slides into first base, and the umpire calls her safe. Scene 3: The KC Roos men's basketball team makes a layup. Scene 4: The women's volleyball team jumps and chants on court while holding up a sign for winning the regular season Summit League championship.

We Are Your Home Team

Our 14 sports teams have brought home more than 30 Division I championships since we started competing at the NCAA Division I level in 1987.

Kansas City Roos

Coaches Emphasize Winning Culture

Basketball coaches Candi Whitaker and Mark Turgeon aim to leverage Kansas City connections to elevate programs and help student-athletes reach their potential. An exciting new chapter begins in 2026-27 when the KC Roos return to the historic Municipal Auditorium, bringing basketball back to one of downtown Kansas City's most iconic venues.

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"We put a premium on mentoring and developing our players. We're creating a winning culture for the university and Kansas City."

Candi Whitaker

UMKC Women’s Basketball Head Coach

Meet Candi Whitaker

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"There is so much untapped potential and with the full strength of the Kansas City community behind us, we will be able to elevate this program to new heights."

Mark Turgeon

UMKC Men’s Basketball Head Coach

Meet Mark Turgeon

The 2026 season KC Roos men's soccer team in a huddle on the field at Durwood Stadium

Kansas City Men's Soccer at Top of National Rankings

Following back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances, a Summit League Regular Season Championship and the first home NCAA Tournament match in program history, Kansas City Men's Soccer, led by Head Coach Ryan Pore, continues to reach new heights in a milestone 2026 season. As the Roos chase a third straight NCAA Tournament berth, they have already achieved another program-defining milestone: the highest national ranking in school history. Learn more at KC Roos Men's Soccer.

Let Us Save You a Seat

Students get in free to home games and can join the Rowdy Roos student section at Durwood Soccer Stadium and Swinney Center. Students and fans can participate in theme games, giveaways and special celebrations.

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The athletic KC Roo mascot giving the Roo Up hand sign

Are You Ready to Roo Up?

From our fight song to the KC Roo mascot, we have many traditions for cheering on our KC Roos.

UMKC Traditions

KC Roos in Action

Two KC Roos women's basketball players, Nos. 24 and 5, sit on the bench with their arms around each other.

Hunter Ross leaps during the high jump at the Pittsburg State Tune-Up track and field competition

Member of KC Roos men's basketball dunks the ball while No. 23 and opponents look up from the court.

KC Roos softball catcher squats behind the plate and catches the ball

No. 25 on the KC Roos women's soccer guards the ball from a Rockhurst opponent at a home game at Durwood Stadium

KC Roos doubles team squares up against Omaha on the court

Olympic athlete Courtney Frerichs poses with her Olympic silver medal

UMKC Alumni Compete at Top Level

Since our founding, UMKC has strived for excellence both in and out of the classroom. For four alumni, that push toward greatness has taken them all the way to the Olympic and Paralympic games.

UMKC's Olympic and Paralympic Athletes

Not a D1 Athlete? Not a Problem.

You can still join in. Meet new friends, blow off some steam and have some fun through Campus Recreation.

Join a Team

Intramural Sports

Take a Class

Fitness Classes

Go for a Swim

Aquatics

Kansas City's University. Kansas City's Teams.

UMKC is an official higher education partner with each of Kansas City's professional sports teams.

Kansas City Chiefs

Our students gain valuable insights from Chiefs staff through scholarships, job shadowing, internships, fellowships, leadership events and stadium tours exclusive to UMKC students.

Chiefs

Kansas City Current

In this reciprocal partnership, UMKC scholar-athletes receive mentorship from Kansas City Current players, while active KC Current players are eligible for enrollment in any of our degree programs.

KC Current

Kansas City Royals

This hometown team partnership provides real-world experiences for Roos and helps us reach high school students through STEM initiatives. Mark your calendar to join us for UMKC Night at The K each season

Royals

Sporting Kansas City

Our partnership with Sporting KC allows us to strategically market UMKC and build meaningful relationships that align with our mission.

Sporting KC