Texas Southern University's school colors are maroon and gray, and the school's mascot is the Tiger. Texas Southern sports teams participate in NCAA Division I (Championship Subdivision for football) in the Southwestern Athletic Conference(SWAC).

Men's varsity sports include baseball, basketball, football, golf, tennis, and track and field. And Women's varsity sports include basketball, bowling, cross country, golf, soccer, softball, tennis, track and field, and volleyball.

TSU's best known rivals are Prairie View A&M, Southern University, Jackson State University, and Grambling State University.

On December 11, 2010, Texas Southern University won their FIRST Football SWAC Championship in 42 Years. TSU defeated Alabama State 11-6 at Legion Field in the 2010 Farmers Insurance SWAC Football Championship Game. Led by SWAC Defensive Player of the Year and SWAC Championship Game Defensive MVP, Dejuan Fulghum, Texas Southern had the toughest defense in the SWAC in 2010, and #2 ranked in the nation (FCS).

Texas Southern Head coach Johnnie Cole was named the SWAC Football Coach of the Year as announced by the SWAC league office for the 2010 season.

Cole led his alma mater to its first-ever SWAC Championship Game berth and the first 8-win season at Texas Southern since 2000.