Hampton began play in 1975. They competed in the CIAA in their time in Division II, winning three tournament titles and four regular season titles, with three runner up finishes in the tournament final. They made the NCAA Division II Tournament in 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1991, and 1994. They won the 1988 NCAA Division II women’s basketball tournament, beating West Texas State 65–48. They joined Division I in 1995. Since joining Division I (and the MEAC), they have won conference tournament titles in 2000, 2003, 2004, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2017 (reaching the NCAA Tournament in those corresponding years) and regular season titles in 1999, 2003, 2004, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, and 2015. The Lady Pirates have played in the Women’s National Invitation Tournament once in 2015.