Dakota State University Athletics

Dakota State competes in the NAIA, which sits between Division I's scholarship-heavy programs and Division III's purely recreational approach. The Trojans field 14 varsity sports with 430 total athletes, meaning roughly 22% of the 1,969 students participate in athletics. The school offers $1,094,478 in athletic scholarships across all programs. Dakota State competes in the North Star Athletic Association conference against other regional schools. With a male-heavy student body at 68%, many of the athletic programs skew toward traditionally male sports. The Trojans don't have the deep sports traditions of larger universities, but athletics provide a significant campus presence given the high participation rate. The NAIA level allows for competitive play while maintaining the small-school atmosphere that defines Dakota State's campus culture in Madison.