Augustana University in Sioux Falls is planning to add a men’s hockey program that would compete at the division one level.
On Wednesday, the school confirmed the report. The news was first announced on Tuesday night by John Buccigross of ESPN.
BIG #cawlidgehawkey NEWS. Sources tell me Augustana University in Sioux Falls, South Dakota is set to ice a Division 1 Men’s Hockey Program beginning in 2023. New On campus rink is part of the plan for the Vikings. Excited for the growing community of Sioux Falls. #Growthpic.twitter.com/1V6V5U8gc6
— Bucci Mane (@Buccigross) June 16, 2021
According to Buccigross, the plan mentions the program starting in 2023 and would include a new ‘on campus rink.’
In a statement acquired by Midco Sports Network early Wednesday, Augustana University confirmed the news.
Statement from Augustana University in regards to the news, first reported by @Buccigross, that Division I hockey is coming to @GoAugie in 2023: pic.twitter.com/jQozxkRikT
— David Brown (@DBrownMidcoSN) June 16, 2021
“The university plans to add a men’s hockey program that would compete at the NCAA Division I level. The addition of such a program will be the first of its kind in the state and will be game-changing for Augustana and Sioux Falls as one of just over 60 schools in the country offering Division I men’s hockey.”
The statement also goes on to mention that there was a ‘lead gift’ made from T Denny Sanford to help ‘facilitate this extraordinary opportunity.’
This recent news coincides with Augustana’s recent “Vikings Bold: The Journey to 2030” plan, which is hoping to elevate the national profile of the university, while also increasing undergrad student enrollment.
Back in December of 2018, Augustana University announced that it would be transitioning to a Division I institution in athletics, but just this past spring, the Summit League denied the Vikings application to join its conference. The Summit League houses South Dakota State University and the University of South Dakota in numerous sports that include softball, baseball, volleyball, and men’s and women’s basketball.
It wouldn’t be unusual if Augustana University just competed in one sport at the division I level to start with. After all, Minnesota State University (Mankato) is DI in men’s and women’s hockey, but remains DII in its remaining sports.
Augustana University plans to announce more information this summer on the recent announcement of a men’s DI hockey program.