Mount Marty University Athletics

Mount Marty competes in the NJCAA, which means they're a junior college athletic association despite being a four-year university. This unusual setup reflects the school's recent transition and smaller scale. With 487 total athletes out of 702 students, an impressive 69% of the student body participates in varsity sports. The Lancers field teams in 18 different sports, creating opportunities across multiple seasons. Athletic scholarships total $8.7 million, averaging around $18,000 per athlete and helping make the $43,600 total cost more manageable. The high participation rate means sports are central to campus life in this small South Dakota town. Basketball and baseball traditionally draw the most attention, though the nursing-focused student body brings academic intensity to their athletic pursuits.