Augustana University Athletics

Augustana competes in NCAA Division II, which offers athletic scholarships but maintains a balance between competition and academics. With 555 total athletes across 18 varsity sports and an enrollment of 1,818 students, about 31% of the student body participates in varsity athletics. The Vikings compete in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference against regional rivals like Minnesota State Mankato and University of Minnesota Duluth. The school awards $6.67 million in athletic scholarships annually. Football traditionally draws strong community support in Sioux Falls, while the basketball programs have developed competitive reputations within the NSIC. The high percentage of student-athletes creates a campus culture where sports participation is common rather than reserved for top performers. Division II allows Augustana to recruit regionally competitive athletes while keeping sports from overwhelming the academic mission.