| Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference | |
|---|---|
| Data | |
| Classification | NCAA Division II |
| Established | 1932 |
| Members | 14 |
| Sports fielded | 17 (8 men’s, 9 women’s) |
| Region | Midwestern United States |
| States | 5 - Minnesota, South Dakota, Iowa, North Dakota, Nebraska |
| Headquarters | Saint Paul, Minnesota |
| Locations | |
The Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) is a College Athletic Conference which operates in the Midwestern United States. Nine of its members are in Minnesota, with two members in South Dakota and one member each in the states of Iowa, Nebraska and North Dakota.[1] It participates in the NCAA's Division II. It was founded in 1932.[2] With the recent NSIC expansion, the original six member schools have been reunited.[3] With the inclusion of the four new member institutions, it is one of the largest Division II conferences in the country.
The conference sponsors 17 sports; nine for women and eight for men. Both men and women compete in basketball, cross country, golf, indoor and outdoor track and field. Men compete in baseball, football, wrestling. Women compete in soccer, softball, tennis and volleyball.
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Member schools
| Institution | Location | Founded | Affiliation | Enrollment | Joined | School Colors | Nickname |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Augustana College | Sioux Falls, South Dakota | 1860 | Private/Lutheran (ELCA) | 1,800 | 2007 | Blue & Gold | Vikings |
| Bemidji State University | Bemidji, Minnesota | 1919 | Public | 5,000 | 1932 | Green & White | Beavers |
| Concordia University, Saint Paul | St. Paul, Minnesota | 1893 | Private/Lutheran (LCMS) | 2,000 | 1999 | Blue & Gold | Golden Bears |
| University of Mary | Bismarck, North Dakota | 1959 | Private/Catholic | 2,758 | 2006 | Royal Blue, White, & Orange | Marauders |
| University of Minnesota Crookston | Crookston, Minnesota | 1906 | Public | 2,775 | 1999 | Maroon & Gold | Golden Eagles |
| University of Minnesota-Duluth | Duluth, Minnesota | 1947 | Public | 10,500 | 2007 | Maroon & Gold | Bulldogs |
| Minnesota State University, Mankato | Mankato, Minnesota | 1868 | Public | 14,036 | 2007 | Purple & Gold | Mavericks |
| Minnesota State University Moorhead | Moorhead, Minnesota | 1888 | Public | 7,638 | 1932 | Red & White | Dragons |
| Northern State University | Aberdeen, South Dakota | 1901 | Public | 2,200 | 1978 | Maroon & Gold | Wolves |
| Saint Cloud State University | St. Cloud, Minnesota | 1869 | Public | 16,000 | 2007 | Cardinal & Black | Huskies |
| Southwest Minnesota State University | Marshall, Minnesota | 1967 | Public | 3,500 | 1969 | Vegas Gold & Brown | Mustangs |
| Upper Iowa University | Fayette, Iowa | 1857 | Private/Non-sectarian | 3,600 | 2006 | Peacock Blue & White | Peacocks |
| Wayne State College | Wayne, Nebraska | 1910 | Public | 3,300 | 1998 | Black & Gold | Wildcats |
| Winona State University | Winona, Minnesota | 1858 | Public | 8,000 | 1932 | Purple & White | Warriors |
History
The Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference was founded in 1932[2] as the Northern Teachers Athletic Conference. Charter members included Bemidji State University, Mankato State (Minnesota State University, Mankato), Moorhead State University (Minnesota State University Moorhead), St. Cloud State University, Duluth State (University of Minnesota Duluth), and Winona State University. In 1942 the conference name was changed to the State Teacher's College Conference of Minnesota.[3] The conference switched its name to the Northern Intercollegiate Conference (NIC) in 1962.[3] In the spring of 1992 the NSIC was formed out of the merger of the NIC, the men's conference, and the women's Northern Sun Conference (NSC). The NSC had existed since 1979.[4]
Since 1932, 16 institutions have competed in the NSIC. Bemidji State, Minnesota State, Moorhead (formerly called Moorhead State) and Winona State are charter members and have remained in the conference for the 77 years of its existence. Minnesota State, Mankato (formerly called Mankato State), St. Cloud State and Minnesota Duluth (formerly called Duluth State) were also charter members. The University of Minnesota Duluth left the conference in 1951 to join the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC).[5] Minnesota Morris joined the conference in 1966. Minnesota State, Mankato left the conference in 1968.[3] Southwest Minnesota State University joined in 1969.[2] Minnesota Duluth rejoined prior to the 1975-76 season. Northern State University joined and Minnesota State, Mankato joined for their second stint in 1978.[2][3] In 1981 St. Cloud State and Minnesota State, Mankato left to join the North Central Conference.[3] Wayne State College joined in 1998 followed by Concordia University, St. Paul and the University of Minnesota, Crookston in 1999.[2] After the 2002-03 season, Minnesota Morris left the conference to join Division III and the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference.[6] The University of Mary and Upper Iowa University joined the conference in 2006.[7]
In 2007 the NSIC Board of Directors voted to expand the conference to 14 schools.[3] League presidents voted to accept into membership Augustana College, St. Cloud State University, the University of Minnesota Duluth, and Minnesota State University, Mankato.[3] These four schools were members of the North Central Conference which disbanded after the 2007-2008 academic year.[3] They became official members of the NSIC on July 1, 2008.
The NSIC and its member institutions have had been members of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). Mankato State won wrestling national titles in 1958 and 1959, while Moorhead State won a wrestling national title in 1964.[8] 41 wrestlers have claimed individual national titles in wrestling[8] Nine individuals have won national titles in Men's Swimming and Diving.[9] Northern State claimed national titles in women's basketball in 1992 and 1994.[10] Seven individuals have won individual titles in men's indoor track and field.[11]Four individuals have won national titles in women's indoor track and field.[11] 11 athletes have won national titles in men's outdoor track and field.[12] Six female athletes have won individual titles in outdoor track and field.[13] Winona State won two team titles in women's gymnastics. In 1992, the NSIC entered the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). In the Fall of 1995, the NSIC and its member institutions became eligible for championship competition in the NCAA Division II ranks. The Northern Sun earned its first Division II national championship in a team sport sponsored by the conference when Winona State won the men's basketball championship in 2005-06.[14]
The highest ranking team in the NSIC in football that does not make the playoffs plays in the Mineral Water Bowl, against the highest ranking team from the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletic Association that does not make the playoffs.[15]
Former members
| Institutiion | Location | Founded | Affiliation | Enrollment | Joined | Left | School Colors | Nickname | Current Conference |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Michigan Tech University | Houghton, Michigan | 1885 | Public | 5,828 | 1957 | 1980 | Gold & Black | Huskies | Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference |
| University of Minnesota Morris | Morris, Minnesota | 1960 | Public | 1,700 | 1966 | 2003 | Maroon & Gold | Cougars | Upper Midwest Athletic Conference |
Conference stadiums
| School | Football stadium | Stadium capacity | Basketball arena | Arena capacity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Augustana | Howard Wood Field | 10,000 | Elmen Center | 4,000 |
| Kirkeby-Over Stadium | 6,500 [16] | Sioux Falls Arena | 8,000 | |
| Bemidji State | Chet Anderson Stadium | 4,000 | BSU Gymnasium | 2,500 |
| Concordia, St. Paul | Sea Foam Stadium | 3,500 | Gangelhoff Center | 3,200 |
| University of Mary | Bismarck Community Bowl | 7,000 | McDowell Activity Center | 2,500 |
| Minnesota-Crookston | Ed Widseth Field | 2,000 | Lysaker Gymnasium | 3,500 |
| Minnesota-Duluth | Griggs Field at James S. Malosky Stadium | 4,000 | Romano Gymnasium | 2,759 |
| Minnesota State, Mankato | Blakeslee Stadium | 7,000 | Taylor Center | 4,521 |
| Minnesota State-Moorhead | Alex Nemzek Stadium | 5,000 | Alex Nemzek Fieldhouse | 3,500 |
| Northern State | Swisher Field | 6,000 | Wachs Arena | 8,057 |
| Saint Cloud State | Husky Stadium | 4,198 | Halenbeck Hall | 6,927 |
| Southwest Minnesota State | Mattke Field at the Regional Events Center | 3,500 | R/A Facility | 4,000 |
| Upper Iowa | Eischeid Stadium | 3,500 | Dorman Gymnasium | 1,950 |
| Wayne State | Memorial Stadium | 3,500 | Rice Auditorium | 2,500 |
| Winona State | Maxwell Field at Alltel Stadium | 3,500 | McCown Gymnasium | 3,500 |
Divisions
The NSIC Board of Directors will use a division format in football, while using a single division format for men's and women's basketball, baseball, soccer and volleyball.[17]
North Division: Bemidji State, Mary, Minnesota-Crookston, Minnesota-Duluth, Minnesota State-Moorhead, Northern State, St. Cloud State
South Division: Augustana, Concordia-St. Paul, Minnesota State-Mankato, Southwest Minnesota State, Upper Iowa, Wayne State, Winona State
Potential Expansion
Both Minot State University and the University of Sioux Falls are currently undergoing the three year re-classifcation process from the NAIA to NCAA Division II. Butch Raymond has stated that both institutions, as well as other Division II schools in the region, would be considered as future expansion members.
National Champions
The NSIC has had seven national champions in NCAA Division II play: Winona State University men's basketball in 2006 and 2008, Concordia University, St. Paul women's volleyball in 2007, 2008, and 2009, and the University of Minnesota Duluth's football team, in 2008. Also in the 2008-2009 academic year, the Minnesota State, Mankato women's basketball team won the Women's basketball championship
Conference football champions
Schools are listed by current names
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References
- ^ "School Directories" (PDF). Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference. http://www.northernsun.org/Mediaguide/2007-08nsicmediaguide-yearbook(part3)-School_Info.pdf. Retrieved 2007-09-21.
- ^ a b c d e "Cover" (PDF). Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference. http://www.northernsun.org/Mediaguide/2007-08Covers.pdf. Retrieved 2007-09-21.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i "Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference expands to 14 teams" (PDF). Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference. http://www.northernsun.org/07_04_02_Expansion_Release.pdf. Retrieved 2007-09-21.
- ^ "Women's Basketball" (PDF). Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference. http://www.northernsun.org/Mediaguide/2007-08nsicmediaguide-yearbook(part7)-WBB.pdf. Retrieved 2007-10-12.
- ^ "The MIAC Story: Collegiate Athletics at its Best". Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. http://www.miac-online.org/Sports/gen/2007/about_miac.asp?nl=2. Retrieved 2007-09-30.
- ^ "NSIC approves UMM's transfer to UMAC next year". University of Minnesota Morris. http://www.mrs.umn.edu/register/article.php?volume=15&issue=4§ion=sports&index=0. Retrieved 2007-10-12.
- ^ "Mary Media Guide" (PDF). University of Mary Athletics. http://www.umary.edu/NR/rdonlyres/3D75EAFE-75A8-4119-AB94-637912F7BD6C/0/2005FBMG.pdf. Retrieved 2007-09-30.
- ^ a b "NAIA Wrestling" (PDF). National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics. http://graphics.fansonly.com/schools/naia/member-services/media/guides/winter0506/wrestling.pdf. Retrieved 2007-10-12.
- ^ "NAIA Swimming & Diving" (PDF). National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics. http://graphics.fansonly.com/schools/naia/member-services/media/guides/winter0506/swimming.pdf. Retrieved 2007-10-12.
- ^ "Division II Women's Basketball" (PDF). National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics. http://graphics.fansonly.com/schools/naia/member-services/media/guides/winter0506/wbball2.pdf. Retrieved 2007-10-12.
- ^ a b "NAIA Indoor Track & Field" (PDF). National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics. http://graphics.fansonly.com/schools/naia/member-services/media/guides/winter0506/track.pdf. Retrieved 2007-10-12.
- ^ "NAIA Outdoor Track & Field" (PDF). http://graphics.fansonly.com/schools/naia/member-services/media/guides/spring06/MOT&F.pdf. Retrieved 2007-10-12.
- ^ "Women's Outdoor Track & Field" (PDF). National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics. http://graphics.fansonly.com/schools/naia/member-services/media/guides/spring06/WOTF.pdf. Retrieved 2007-10-12.
- ^ "How many NCAA Division II championships has your school won?". National Collegiate Athletic Association. http://www.ncaa.org/champadmin/champs_listing2.html. Retrieved 2007-10-21.
- ^ "Playoff dreams doused; PSU accepts Bowl invitation". Pitt State Collegio. http://media.www.psucollegio.com/media/storage/paper437/news/2006/11/16/Sports/Playoff.Dreams.Doused.Psu.Accepts.Bowl.Invitation-2469646.shtml. Retrieved 2007-10-21.
- ^ Site Work on Kirkeby-Over Stadium to Begin Monday
- ^ "Expanded NSIC to field two division for football". Star Tribune. http://www.startribune.com/513/story/1401781.html. Retrieved 2007-10-12.
External links
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