Stanford Cardinal (athletic teams)

Stanford Cardinal refers to the athletic teams representing Stanford University in competitive sports. The term "Cardinal" originally described the school's official color, cardinal red, which is used across its athletic programs. Stanford's teams participate in the NCAA Division I, mainly within the Pac-12 Conference, and are known for their strong performances across a variety of sports including football, basketball, and swimming. The university has a rich athletic history, producing numerous national championships and many athletes who compete at national and international levels. The name "Cardinal" emphasizes school pride and unity across all its competitive teams.