The North Star Athletic Association (NSAA) is an NCAA Division II athletics conference composed of seven members and headquartered in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Founded in 2013, the NSAA is a relatively new conference, but it has quickly made an impact in college sports. This article will provide an overview of everything you need to know about the North Star Athletic Association.
History and Significance
The North Star Athletic Association was formed in 2013 when seven members formally moved from the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC). These members were Augustana University, University of Mary, Minnesota State University Moorhead, University of Minnesota Crookston, Minnesota State University-Mankato, St. Cloud State University, and University of Sioux Falls. With its inception, the NSAA adopted a new logo and changed its name from “Northern Star Athletic Association” to “North Star Athletic Association”. The NSAA is the premier Division II conference in the Midwest and plays an important role in college athletics. The conference consists of seven members that compete in athletics at the NCAA Division II level and have developed rivalries that bring about some of the best matchups in Division II sports.
Member Institutions
The seven members of the North Star Athletic Association are:
- Augustana University
- University of Mary
- Minnesota State University Moorhead
- University of Minnesota Crookston
- Minnesota State University-Mankato
- St. Cloud State University
- University of Sioux Falls
Each member is a part of the association for the duration of their tenure in the conference.
Sports Competed
The seven schools that make up the North Star Athletic Association compete in a variety of sports, including baseball, basketball, cross country, football, golf, soccer, softball, swimming & diving, tennis, track & field, and volleyball.
Notable Achievements
Since its formation in 2013, the North Star Athletic Association has seen several of its member institutions make a mark in the world of college sports. In the 2016-17 academic year, University of Sioux Falls won the 2016 NSAA Football Championship. In 2017-18, the Minnesota State University Moorhead Men’s Basketball team won the NSAA Tournament championship as well as NCAA North Central Regional Championship. That same year, the Augustana University Men’s Golf team was the runner up in the North Central Regional Championship.
Rivalries Within the Conference
The seven teams in the NSAA have developed rivalries over the years that create an intense atmosphere in the conference’s matchups. Some of the most prominent rivalries in the conference are the “Battle for the Fish” between the University of Mary and Minnesota State University Moorhead, the “Battle of the Bluff” between the University of Sioux Falls and the Augustana University, and the “Battle of the Prairies” between the Minnesota State University-Mankato and St. Cloud State University.
Conference Operations
The operations of the North Star Athletic Association are overseen by the Commissioner, who is appointed by the Member Institutions. The Member Institutions are responsible for scheduling, setting the championship tournament, and conducting regular season play. The conference also has an Executive Board, which is responsible for governance over the conference.
Impact on the Local and National Sports Scene
The North Star Athletic Association has made an impact on the local and national sports scene. Since its founding, the conference has been competitive in Division II sports and has been represented in Division II postseason tournaments. In addition, the conference is home to many of the top collegiate athletes in the Midwest.
Future Prospects
The future of the North Star Athletic Association looks bright, with recent trends showing growth in the number of schools interested in joining the conference. This growth could lead to the conference becoming more competitive and widening its reach in the Division II landscape. Additionally, the conference will continue to work closely with its member institutions to ensure they are able to provide the best possible experience for their student-athletes.
Conclusion
The North Star Athletic Association is a Division II athletics conference that has had an impact on college sports since its inception in 2013. The conference consists of seven members that compete in a variety of sports, and its member institutions have achieved a number of notable achievements. It has developed rivalries with its opponents and operates through a governing board and commissioner. The conference has made an impact on the local and national sports scene and shows promise for the future.