North Central Conference
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| North Central Conference | |
|---|---|
 |
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| Data | |
| Classification | NCAA Division II |
| Established | 1922 |
| Members | 7 |
| Sports fielded | 18 (9 men’s, 9 women’s) |
| Region | Midwestern United States |
| States | 4 - Minnesota, South Dakota, North Dakota, Nebraska |
| Headquarters | Sioux Falls, South Dakota |
The North Central Conference is a College Athletic Conference which operates in the north central United States. It participates in the NCAA's Division II. It was announced on November 29, 2006 that the 2007-08 athletic season would be the final season for the NCC, and would no longer exist as of July 1, 2008.[1]
Contents |
[edit] Member schools
| Institution | Location | Founded | Affiliation | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Augustana College | Sioux Falls, South Dakota | 1860 | Private/Lutheran | 1,650 |
| Central Washington University | Ellensburg, Washington | 1891 | Public | 9,296 |
| University of Minnesota Duluth | Duluth, Minnesota | 1947 | Public | 10,497 |
| Minnesota State University, Mankato | Mankato, Minnesota | 1868 | Public | 13,814 |
| University of Nebraska at Omaha | Omaha, Nebraska | 1908 | Public | 14,093 |
| University of North Dakota | Grand Forks, North Dakota | 1883 | Public | 13,817 |
| St. Cloud State University | St. Cloud, Minnesota | 1869 | Public | 15,400 |
| University of South Dakota | Vermillion, South Dakota | 1862 | Public | 8,641 |
| Western Washington University | Bellingham, Washington | 1893 | Public | 12,816 |
[edit] Teams
- Augustana Vikings
- Central Washington Wildcats
- Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs
- Minnesota State-Mankato Mavericks
- Nebraska-Omaha Mavericks
- North Dakota Fighting Sioux
- St. Cloud State Huskies
- South Dakota Coyotes
- Western Washington Vikings
[edit] 2008 Plans
As of July 1, 2008, six of the seven NCC members have changed affiliation.
University of North Dakota announced in the summer of 2006 that they will reclassify their athletic programs to Division I. They will leave the North Central Conference after the 2007-08 academic year.
University of South Dakota announced on November 29, 2006, that they will reclassify their athletic programs to Division I. Like North Dakota, they will leave the North Central Conference after the 2007-08 academic year.[2]
Augustana College, University of Minnesota Duluth, Minnesota State University, Mankato and St. Cloud State University have been admitted to the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference as of July 1, 2008.
[edit] Sports
The NCC sponsors baseball, men's and women's basketball, football, cross-country, golf, soccer, softball, swimming & diving, tennis, track & field, volleyball, and wrestling.
Five of the seven members of the NCC sponsor Division I Ice Hockey. University of North Dakota, University of Minnesota Duluth, Minnesota State University, Mankato, and St. Cloud State University are members of the WCHA. The University of Nebraska at Omaha competes in the CCHA.
[edit] Former members
The NCC was formed in 1922. Charter members of the NCC were South Dakota State University, College of St. Thomas, Des Moines, Creighton University, North Dakota State University, University of North Dakota, Morningside College, University of South Dakota, and Nebraska Wesleyan University.
The University of Northern Iowa was a member of the NCC from 1934 until 1978. UNI currently competes in Division I-AA in the Missouri Valley Conference and the Gateway Football Conference. In 2001 Morningside College left the NCC to join the NAIA. Three schools left the conference in 2004. North Dakota State University, the University of Northern Colorado, and South Dakota State University are all transitioning their athletics programs from Division II to Division I. These three schools became founding members of the Division I-AA Great West Football Conference, which started play in the fall of 2004. Since that time, Northern Colorado joined the Big Sky Conference in 2006. In fall of 2006, former NCC members North Dakota State and South Dakota State were admitted to the Mid-Continent Conference, while continuing to play football in the Great West Football Conference (GWFC).
[edit] Associate Members
Football - Western Washington University, Central Washington University
Women's Swimming and Diving - Colorado Mines, MSU-Moorhead, Metro State (CO)
Men's Swimming and Diving - Colorado Mines, Metro State (CO)
Men's Tennis - Winona State
[edit] Conference football stadiums
| School | Football Stadium | Stadium capacity |
|---|---|---|
| South Dakota | DakotaDome | 10,000 |
| North Dakota | Alerus Center | 13,500 |
| Nebraska-Omaha | Al F. Caniglia Field | 9,500 |
| Minnesota, Duluth | Griggs Field | 4,000 |
| St. Cloud State | Husky Stadium | 4,000 |
| Augustana | Howard Wood Field | 10,000 |
| Minnesota State | Blakeslee Stadium | 7,500 |
| Western Washington | Civic Stadium | 5,000 |
| Central Washington | Tomlinson Stadium | 4,000 |
[edit] References
- ^ Thomas: NCC will fold in summer 2008. Forum Communications Co. (2006). Retrieved on November 30, 2006.
- ^ USD to Move Athletic Programs to Division I. University of South Dakota (2006). Retrieved on November 29, 2006.
[edit] External links
| North Central Conference |
|---|
| Augustana • Central Washington† • Minnesota Duluth • Minnesota State Mankato • Nebraska-Omaha • North Dakota • Saint Cloud State • South Dakota • Western Washington† † Football-only member |
