High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles! The UIC Flames are the intercollegiate athletic teams of the University of Illinois at Chicago. They are called the Flames as a reference to the Great Chicago Fire with team colors being navy blue and fire engine red. The Flames participate in the NCAA's Division I as part of the Horizon League in the following sports: Baseball, Basketball, Cross-Country, Gymnastics, Soccer, Softball, Swimming, Tennis, Track, and Volleyball. Approximately 300 student athletes compete in 18 varsity sports. UIC Athletics began with the College of Physicians and Surgeons (P&S) in the 1880s with their basketball and football teams whose team colors were red (blood) and iodofome (iodine). P&S eventually affiliated with and then became absorbed into the University of Illinois forming its College of Medicine.