The Augustana Vikings are the athletic teams that represent Augustana University, located in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, in NCAA Division II intercollegiate sports. The Vikings compete as members of the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference for all 14 varsity sports. The Vikings joined the NSIC from the North Central Conference, which folded in 2008.
In December 2018, as part of a plan called "Project 2030", Augustana announced its intentions to transition to NCAA Division I by 2030 at the latest, with hopes to receive a bid to join a Division I conference by 2020. Multiple regional media reports in 2018 indicated that Augustana's likeliest Division I destination was the Sioux Falls-based Summit League. Many of the school's boosters are tied to Sanford Health, a hospital company also based in Sioux Falls that has long been a major sponsor of the Summit League. Additionally, the conference moved its headquarters in 2018 to an office complex owned by Sanford.
On May 22, 2020, the Summit League commissioner, Tom Douple, informed Augustana president Stephanie Herseth Sandlin that the conference would not be adding the Vikings. Despite the snub from the Summit League, Augustana launched a Division I men's ice hockey program in 2023, marking their first Division I sport. As of 2024, plans for a transition to Division I in sports outside hockey have effectively ended. Summit League commissioner Josh Fenton stated in an interview that they have not had discussions about adding Augustana anymore, partially due to the school's pivot towards Division I hockey, a sport the Summit League does not sponsor. Additionally, the university stated they are no longer actively pursuing any Division I all-sports conferences, instead opting to focus on their Division I hockey program.
On September 26, 2007, it was officially announced that Bob and Kari Hall were making a $7.1 million donation for an on-campus football stadium. The stadium is to bear the name Kirkeby-Over Stadium in honor of Kari Hall's parents. Construction began on November 12, 2007 with the official groundbreaking taking place on November 16, 2007. Augustana University recently completed the Hall Football Complex; complete with its own locker rooms, weight room, and football meeting rooms. The head football coach is Jerry Olszewski.
Augustana players who have had significant NFL careers include Les Josephson (Los Angeles Rams âÂÂ), Bryan Schwartz (Jacksonville Jaguars 1995âÂÂ1999), Corbin Lacina (1993âÂÂ2003), Kevin Kaesviharn (2001âÂÂ2009), and C. J. Ham (Minnesota Vikings âÂÂpresent).
The Vikings have appeared in the NCAA Division II Playoffs 8 times. Their combined record is 2âÂÂ8.
In 1976âÂÂ77, 2004âÂÂ05, and 2009âÂÂ10, the Augustana wrestling team finished second in the NCAA Division II Championship. The Elmen Center serves as the home for both the volleyball team and the wrestling team.
In 2015âÂÂ16 the men's basketball team coached by Tom Billeter finished the season 34âÂÂ2 and won the NCAA Division II National Championship. On November 6, 2015, at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, the Vikings upset the Iowa Hawkeyes of the Big Ten Conference 76âÂÂ74 in an exhibition game on a buzzer-beating right-handed jumper by Daniel Jansen. Led by Jansen, the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference's Player of the Year, the Vikings were 21âÂÂ1 in the Northern Sun, then won the NSIC tournament title and captured the Central Regional title with an 80âÂÂ78 victory over Northwest Missouri State to qualify for the Elite Eight, which was played at Dr Pepper Arena in Frisco, Texas. Augustana defeated Lincoln Memorial 90âÂÂ81 in the championship game on March 26. Augustana's Arvid Kramer and Brett Szabo both played in the NBA.
The Vikings have appeared in the NCAA Division II Tournament 15 times. Their combined record is 19âÂÂ17. They were National Champions in 2016.
The 2012âÂÂ13 women's basketball team played at San Antonio in the NCAA Division II Elite Eight.
The Vikings have appeared in the NCAA Division II Tournament 15 times. Their combined record is 12âÂÂ15.
The Sanford Pentagon and the Elmen Center serve as the home court for the men's and women's basketball teams.
The 2018 Augustana baseball team won the NCAA Division II College World Series, defeating Columbus State 3âÂÂ2 in the final. They finished the year 52âÂÂ9, a school record.
On October 5, 2021, Augustana University announced plans to add men's ice hockey starting in the fall of 2023. The team competes at the NCAA Division I level in the CCHA. The announcement was made at the groundbreaking ceremony for Midco Arena which will serves as the team's home. The Vikings are coached by Garrett Raboin.