NSU_FY2019_Economic_Impact_Report

14 NSU Athletics NSU has been a powerhouse in sports in the upper Midwest for over a century, with more than 130 state and conference championships in that time. NSU has also produced more than 220 All-American athletes and nine athletes drafted to major league sports. The NSU Wolves — a member of the NCAA’s Division II — field 15 teams across men’s and women’s sports, including football, basketball, volleyball, and track and field. NSU belongs to the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference, where its men’s basketball team has won the NSIC title each of the past four years. NSU has led NCAA Division II in both men’s and women’s basketball game attendance for the past 13 years. Community and campus support of NSU’s athletic teams is impressive with over 1,000 season ticket holders — and an extremely active Wolves Club. The alumni organization that fundraises for athletics boasts more than 1,500 members and has generated in excess of $2 million annually through income and donations. NSU student athletes are an impressive bunch — they have maintained a cumulative GPA above 3.0 for 22 consecutive semesters. And they know the value of showing up for the community that always shows up for them. NSU’s Annual Day of Champions partners with the United Way as NSU’s athletic teams support the community. In total, NSU student athletes have donated 16,000 hours of labor since the beginning of the program. Northern’s homecoming celebration is a huge event for Wolves from all over. This beloved Gypsy Days tradition is a weeklong event that includes decorating Aberdeen businesses and a 5K run. Homecoming culminates with the biggest parade in South Dakota, winding through Main Street and ending back at the stadium for the afternoon football game. The parade represents not just clubs and activities at NSU, but local businesses, 4-H clubs, Boy and Girl Scouts, churches, and high school bands.

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