In the landscape of collegiate athletics, the climb from a non-existent program to a national contender usually takes decades. Most schools build a foundation through club sports or junior varsity squads before daring to compete at the highest level. Augustana University, a small private institution in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, decided to skip those steps entirely.
The result is one of the most improbable ascents in recent sports history. In just its third season of existence, the Augustana men’s hockey team won 22 games and finished tied for second in the Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA). Despite the rapid success, they were the final team left out of the NCAA tournament field—a “near miss” that nonetheless signals the arrival of a modern power in the Midwest.
The speed at which Augustana men’s hockey got very excellent, very rapid, is not an accident of geography or luck. This proves the result of a strategic institutional pivot, aggressive financial backing, and a coaching hire that signaled the university’s intent to compete with the elite of Division I hockey from day one.
The ‘Viking Bold’ Pivot
The program’s origins trace back to December 2019, when Augustana’s board of trustees approved a strategic plan titled “Viking Bold: The Journey to 2030.” The initiative was designed to increase the university’s appeal to prospective students during a period of fiscal and enrollment challenges facing small private colleges. A central pillar of this plan was the transition of all athletic programs to Division I and membership in the Summit League.
When that specific bid was rejected in May 2020, the university did not abandon its ambition. Instead, it found a unique loophole. While Augustana continues to compete in the Division II Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference for most sports, the NCAA does not sponsor a Division II postseason hockey tournament. This allowed the school to launch a Division I hockey program independently of its other athletic designations.
The financial commitment required for such a leap was substantial. Hockey is one of the most expensive sports to maintain, requiring specialized facilities and high operational costs. To bridge this gap, the university leaned on community partnerships in Sioux Falls. Josh Morton, who has served as athletics director since 2018, noted that these partners viewed the program as a “differentiator” for the community, providing the city with a high-profile Division I athletic presence.
The Architecture of a Rapid Ascent
With funding secured and an arena in place, the university sought a leader capable of building a culture from a vacuum. In April 2022, Garrett Raboin left his role as an assistant coach at the University of Minnesota to take the helm at Augustana. Raboin’s arrival brought a level of recruiting prestige and tactical sophistication usually reserved for established powerhouses.
The speed of the Vikings’ success can be attributed to a “perfect storm” of recruiting advantages and timing. Rather than relying solely on freshmen, Raboin and his staff utilized the transfer portal to bring in experienced collegiate players. This strategy was further bolstered by NCAA COVID-19 provisions, which granted many athletes an extra year of eligibility, creating a surplus of veteran talent available for a new program.
Geography also played a critical role. While South Dakota does not sponsor high school hockey, the campus is located just 20 minutes from the Minnesota border—a region with one of the deepest hockey traditions in the world. The proximity to United States Hockey League (USHL) teams, including a highly attended junior team in Sioux Falls, provided a natural pipeline for recruiting and fan engagement.
Comparing the Transition Path
To understand how unusual Augustana’s trajectory is, it is helpful to compare it to other recent Division I additions. Most programs spend years in the “lower” tiers of collegiate hockey before making the jump.
| Program | Year Joined DI | Prior Experience |
|---|---|---|
| Augustana | 2023 | No prior club or JV team |
| St. Thomas | 2021 | 20+ years at lower levels |
| Lindenwood | 2022 | 20+ years at lower levels |
| Stonehill | 2022 | 20+ years at lower levels |
The Price of Success
The rapid rise of the program has made Garrett Raboin a target for larger institutions. Reports indicate that the University of Minnesota—where Raboin previously served as an assistant—seriously considered hiring him to lead their program as recently as last month. His decision to remain at Augustana underscores a commitment to the project he started from scratch.
The impact of this success extends beyond the scoreboard. By establishing a competitive Division I program, Augustana has created a new institutional identity. The program serves as a bridge between the university and the city of Sioux Falls, tapping into a regional passion for the sport that had previously lacked a local collegiate anchor.
The Vikings’ current standing as a national contender suggests that the “Viking Bold” strategy is working. By combining institutional willpower, targeted recruiting, and a high-profile coaching hire, Augustana has managed to compress a 20-year growth cycle into less than four.
The program now enters its next phase: moving from a “surprise” contender to a perennial fixture in the NCAA tournament. The next official benchmark for the program will be the upcoming recruiting cycle and the start of the next CCHA season, where the Vikings will look to convert their “near miss” into a tournament berth.
Do you think Augustana’s model of using the transfer portal to jumpstart a program is sustainable for other small colleges? Share your thoughts in the comments.
