The Summit League is a college sports conference that boasts a proud history and championship tradition. Established in 1982, the Summit League began as the Association of Mid-Continent Universities (AMCU). It is one of two Division I collegiate athletic conferences which operates in the United States’ Central region. The Summit League sponsors 21 sports, competing in 11 men’s and 10 women’s NCAA sanctioned sports. It also sponsors championships in several sports throughout the academic year.

Member Institutions

The Summit League currently has 10 full-time members: the University of South Dakota, North Dakota State University, South Dakota State University, Oral Roberts University, Omaha, University of North Dakota, Denver, Western Illinois University, Purdue Fort Wayne, and Kansas City. These universities all compete against one another in various NCAA sanctioned sports, such as basketball, football, soccer, baseball, and volleyball, within the Summit League.

Notable Achievements

The Summit League has had several successes in its history. Most notably, South Dakota State won the NCAA Division I football championship in 2004, becoming the first NCAA Division I team from the Summit League to ever win a national championship. In addition, Oral Roberts won the NAIA National Basketball Championship in 1993, and North Dakota State won the 2006 NCAA Division II Football Championship. The men’s basketball team from North Dakota State were regular season champions three times from 2010 to 2017.

Rivalries

The Summit League has several rivalries among its member institutions due to its close proximity. The Deuce’s Wild basketball rivalry between South Dakota State and University of South Dakota is one of the more notable rivalries in the conference. Other member institutions have developed rivalries with each other as well, such as the Dakota Marker rivalry between North Dakota and South Dakota State and the Pioneer Football Classic between Southern and Western Illinois.

Governance & Scheduling

The Summit League is governed by a Board of Directors. There are four executive members of the board, as well as two members from each of the schools. The board determines the scheduling for events, how many teams will participate in each sport as well as the conference tournament and championship events.

Championship Events

The Summit League hosts several championship events throughout the year. The men’s and women’s basketball tournaments are held in Sioux Falls, in the early spring. The men’s and women’s soccer tournaments are held in mid-November. The league also hosts championship events in golf, baseball, softball, and cross country.

Impact on Sports Scene

The Summit League has had a positive impact on the local and national sports scene. Its championship events provide an opportunity for student athletes to showcase their skills, while bringing attention to the Summits League as a whole. Its strong tradition of excellence also helps contribute to its positive impact, encouraging student athletes to strive for greatness and reminding fans why The Summit League is a great conference to follow and be a part of.

Future Prospects

The future of The Summit League looks bright. With a wide array of sports, exciting championship events, and established rivalries, the league is well positioned to continue to grow. In addition, recent trends suggest that the Summit League will continue to be an important part of the NCAA Division I sports landscape. With its strong focus on competitive excellence, The Summit League is poised to remain a successful and impactful conference in the years to come.