Upper Iowa University invited to join NSIC

Last week, the much-anticipated phone call arrived at Upper Iowa University today with a formal invitation from the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) for Upper Iowa to join its ranks. Upper Iowa will accept the invitation which will be effective beginning with the 2006 fall semester. The University of Mary (Bismarck, N.D.) was also extended an invitation.

Since September 2003, Upper Iowa has been an NCAA Division II Independent. UIU’s two-year provisional D-II membership concludes at the end of the current academic year.

“Once again, as the only master’s degree granting, NCAA Division II school in Iowa, Upper Iowa University finds itself alone, in a class by itself. Being in a position of leadership is something to which we have become accustomed. Frankly, we like the view from up here,” said Upper Iowa University President Dr. Alan Walker.

“The strategy to go to Division II and to join the Northern Sun Conference was brilliantly conceived and flawlessly executed by Director of Athletics Gil Cloud and his staff,” continued Dr. Walker.

“Over the last several years we have become very close to the schools in the Northern Sun Conference,” said Cloud. “It’s a strong conference made up of institutions with impeccable reputations, a commitment to excellence, and a shared set of values. It’s a good fit for Upper Iowa University, and we believe we have something to contribute to the Northern Sun athletically and academically.”

Cloud continued by saying, “We would like to use this opportunity to congratulate our colleagues at the University of Mary who will also be joining us as a member of the Northern Sun Conference. We know they too will add value to the conference and will be great partners.”

The Northern Sun currently consists of Bemidji State University; Concordia University, St. Paul; the University of Minnesota, Crookston; Minnesota State University Moorhead; Northern State University; Southwest Minnesota State University; Wayne State College (Neb.); and Winona State University.

Currently, two Waukon Senior High graduates compete for the Peacocks. Mitch Einck is a member of the UIU football squad and Christa Hammel competes for the women’s basketball team.