FIU’s Golden Panthers compete in the Sun Belt Conference of the NCAA’s Division I (the exception, men’s soccer, competes in Conference USA as an affiliate member). The football team, currently under Mario Cristobal, moved to the Sun Belt Conference in 2005 and won its first season 5-6. The football team competes annually in the Shula Bowl against Florida Atlantic University; the rivalry has spread to the two schools’ basketball and baseball competitions as well.
There is also women’s basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, swimming & diving, volleyball, softball, and track & field. FIU’s athletics programs has produced many pro players, both male and female.
Since FIU is only a few decades old, its traditions were born relatively recently—but they’ve become an important part of campus culture. As reported by Iris Febres ’10:
“‘Spinning the Cube’: FIU's campus features a variety of sculpture and artwork. One piece, simply known as ‘The Cube’ among students, is as much a campus icon as our mascot, Roary the Panther. This large cube sits outside of Deuxieme Maison is seen by students as a good luck charm. Before exams, students spin the cube once for luck. Hundreds of students spin this cube every year for successful test grades.
‘Step on the Seal, Don't Graduate in Four Years’: one superstition/tradition involves a seal located outside the Graham Center, known as FIU's ‘living room.’ Right outside its doors in the floor is a large seal featuring the FIU logo and motto. If a student steps on the seal, then it is said that their graduation will be delayed by many years, or even - in extreme cases - postponed indefinitely. Students can be seen jumping over the seal in defiance of this superstition or doing their best to avoid touching it, even during busy days.
‘Turtle Love’: on the outskirts of Deuxieme Maison sits a large pond filled with turtles and other wildlife. A small blue bridge crosses over it, leading to other campus buildings. One tradition holds that this bridge - known as the "Kissing Bridge" - brings soul mates together. If two people kiss while standing on the bridge, it is said they will stay together for the rest of their lives. Students have taken advantage of this bridge while enjoying the wildlife beneath.”
Florida International University was originally an airport.
FIU’s School of Hospitality and Tourism Management is collaborating with China’s ministry of Education to prepare for the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing (the only U.S. school involved in the prep work).
FIU is just a little over 40 years old and has had only four presidents.
In 2000, FIU became the youngest university awarded a Phi Beta Kappa chapter.
