The University of Chicago supports an active and energetic National Collegiate Athletic Association (N.C.A.A.) Division III intercollegiate athletic program. Nineteen teams are sponsored in the sports of baseball, men's and women's basketball, men's and women's cross country, football, men's and women's outdoor track & field, softball, men's and women's soccer, men's and women's swimming, men's and women's tennis, men's and women's indoor track & field, women's volleyball and wrestling participate in the University Athletic Association, one of the most respected Division III athletic conference in the country. Founded in 1986, the U.A.A. institutions represent and share a belief that "it is highly desirable and possible for a group of committed institutions to conduct a broad-based program of intercollegiate athletics. U.A.A. members believe that academic and athletic excellence are not mutually exclusive.". The eight institutions that comprise the association are Brandeis University (MA), Carnegie Mellon University (Pittsburgh, PA), Case Western Reserve University (Cleveland, OH), Emory University (Atlanta, GA), New York University (New York, NY), University of Chicago (Chicago, IL), University of Rochester (Rochester, NY) and Washington University (St. Louis, MO). They are among the best institutions of higher learning in the United States and have excelled in academics as well as athletics as proven by their representation of the conference in N.C.A.A. events and championships as well as annual Academic All-America teams.

Under the umbrella of the Department of Physical Education and Athletics is the Undergraduate Order of the "C" (O.O.C.), a varsity lettermens organization representing constituents from the University sponsored men's intercollegiate athletic teams. This group, along with their female counterpart the Women's Athletic Association (W.A.A.) are service organizations who create and provide student programming and support for the varsity athletic teams and University community through a variety of events during the academic year. Sponsored events include concessions for football and basketball games, study breaks, a faculty/student reception, "Midnight Madness" pre-season basketball program, the "Maroon Madness" 3 v 3 basketball tournament as well as a spring "Maroon" youth sports clinic. The majority of the organizations financial support goes to the Greater Chicagoland Special Olympics Track & Field meet which is held on campus each May. Finally, the Chariman of the Departement of Physical Education and Athletics relies on the Order of the "C" as a sounding board and advisory council for student-athlete related issues.