Northern State Wolves

Last updated
Northern State Wolves
Northern State Wolves primary logo.svg
University Northern State University
Conference Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference
NCAA Division II
Athletic directorNate Davis
Location Aberdeen, South Dakota, U.S.
Varsity teams13
Football stadium Dacotah Bank Stadium
Basketball arena Wachs Arena
Baseball stadium Fossum Field
Soccer stadium Northern State Athletic and Recreation Fields
MascotThunder the Wolf
NicknameWolves
ColorsMaroon and gold [1]
   
Website nsuwolvesathletics.com

The Northern State Wolves are the athletic teams that represent Northern State University, located in Aberdeen, South Dakota, U.S., in NCAA Division II intercollegiate sports. The Wolves compete as members of the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference for all 13 varsity sports. Northern State has been a member of the conference since 1978, and they also have the fifth-smallest enrollment of the 16 member schools. In the 1990s, all members of the NSIC solely became members of NCAA Division II, after spending many years with dual membership with the NAIA.

Contents

Varsity teams

History

The Northern State Wolves compete in 13 inter-collegiate athletics. The athletic program began in 1902 with men's basketball, track and American football followed in 1903, and baseball in 1904. Northern State has had two national championships in women's basketball which occurred in 1992 and 1994. Today, Northern offers men's and women's cross country, men's and women's basketball, men's and women's indoor and outdoor track, women's soccer, women's fastpitch softball, volleyball, American football, wrestling, baseball, and women's swimming. [2]

Northern State athletics are well supported by both the students and the community, as men's and women's basketball as well as football are consistently ranked in the top ten nationally for NCAA Division II attendance. The men's basketball team was ranked number one in the nation in attendance for the 2005–06 season.

Thunder the Wolf serves as the official mascot of the Wolves and of Northern State University. Thunder appears in a variety of sports uniforms and day clothes. Prior to Thunder, the mascot had been known as "Waldo" since the 1950s. However, a dispute with The Walt Disney Company necessitated a change in the name in the early 1990s.

List of teams

Individual sports

Football

Northern's football team plays at Dacotah Bank Stadium and are led by head coach Mike Schmidt. Their inaugural season was in 1902 and they have an all-time record of 167–153–2 as of 2021. [3]

Men's basketball

Wolves head basketball coach Don Meyer coached basketball for over thirty years and over that span amassed a number of awards. He achieved 700 wins faster than any other coach in college history. He began his head coaching career at NCAA Division III Hamline University in Minnesota where he posted a 37–41 record in three years before taking command of David Lipscomb University in Nashville, Tennessee. In his 24 years at Lipscomb Meyer had a record of 665–179, including a national championship in 1986. In 1999 Meyer accepted the head coaching position at Northern State, and in his first nine-plus seasons has a record of 201–81. Meyer is third on the all-time win list for four-year college coaches, surpassing legendary coach Bobby Knight on January 10, 2009, with his 903rd victory. Prior to his death, Meyer hosted an annual coaches academy every summer in Aberdeen which brought in college coaches such as the University of Tennessee's Pat Summit, the University of Kansas' Bill Self, the University of Minnesota's Tubby Smith, Gonzaga University's Jerry Krause, and in 2002 the keynote speaker was former UCLA head coach John Wooden. The Northern State men's basketball team had its best record in school history during the 2017–18 season. Under coach Paul Sather, the Wolves finished 36–4, leading to the first NCAA Division II championship appearance in school history. They fell to Ferris State by a score of 71–69. After the 2018–19 season, Paul Sather stepped down as the head coach, ending a 9-year stint which accumulated a 126–71 record, 2 regular season conference championships, 2 conference tournament championships, and one Central Region championship, and was hired as the head coach for the University of North Dakota and was subsequently replaced by former Ohio University coach, Saul Phillips. In Phillips' first year, the Wolves ended the season 26–6 record and won both the regular season conference championship and the conference tournament championship. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic the national tournament was cancelled.

Championships

Northern State has won 38 Regular Season Championships, 6 Conference Tournament Championships, and 2 Central Region Tournament Championships

South Dakota State Conference

  • Regular Season Championships (5 times): 1906–07, 1907–08, 1908–09, 1909–10, 1916–17

South Dakota Intercollegiate Conference

  • Regular Season Championships (17 times): 1923–24, 1935–36, 1939–40, 1940–41, 1941–42, 1952–53, 1953–54, 1955–56, 1956–57, 1957–58, 1958–59, 1959–60, 1960–61, 1962–63, 1965–66, 1969–70, 1970–71

(Unknown Conference)

  • Regular Season Championships (3 times): 1974–75, 1975–76, 1977–78

Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference

  • Regular Season Champions (13 times): 1983–84, 1984–85, 1992–93, 1994–95, 1995–96, 1997–98, 1998–99, 2001–02, 2002–03, 2017–18, 2018–19, 2019–20
  • North Division Titles (4 times): 2017–18, 2018–19, 2019–20, 2020–21
  • Conference Tournament Champions (6 times): 2004, 2005, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021

NCAA Central Region

  • Central Region Tournament Championships (2 times): 1998, 2018

Women's basketball

Long-time women's head basketball coach Curt Fredrickson retired in 2018 after thirty-nine seasons at Northern State, during which time he amassed a career record of 846–306. During his tenure he led the Wolves to two NAIA national championships and numerous conference titles. He has been named the National Coach of the Year twice, as well as being named the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference coach of the year. He is one of only four NCAA D-II women's coaches to reach 600 career wins, and he set a national record by leading his Wolves to 45 straight wins from 1993 to 1995. After losing their season opener in the 1993–94 season, his Wolves won 32 straight games to win the national championship and finish the season with a record of 32–1, a school record. Fredrickson was also an All America selection during his baseball career at Northern, and was inducted into the South Dakota Amateur Baseball Hall of Fame. He is the only player in South Dakota amateur baseball history to win 200 games on the mound and hit 200 home runs in a career. Fredrickson was also the head baseball coach at Northern State from 2003 to 2006. [4]

Championships

Northern State has won 2 National Championships, 8 Regular Season Conference Championships, and 2 Conference Tournaments Championships

District Title

  • District Title (1 time): 1976–77

Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference

  • Regular Season Champions (7 times): 1987–88, 1991–92, 1993–94, 1994–95, 1996–97, 1997–98, 2017–18
  • North Division Champions (4 times): 2013–14, 2014–15, 2015–16, 2017–18
  • Conference Tournament Champions (2 times): 2014–15, 2016–17

NAIA

  • National Champions (2 times): 1991–92, 1993–94

Softball

The Wolves softball team appeared in two Women's College World Series in 1975 and 1976. [5]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Northern Iowa Panthers</span> University of Northern Iowa athletic teams

The Northern Iowa Panthers are the athletic teams of the University of Northern Iowa. The university is a member of the Missouri Valley Conference and competes in NCAA Division I.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Winona State Warriors</span> Intercollegiate sports teams of Winona State University

The Winona State Warriors are the athletic teams of Winona State University, located in Winona, Minnesota. They compete in the National Collegiate Athletic Association, Division II for all sports except for women's gymnastics, which competes in the National Collegiate Gymnastics Association.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kennesaw State Owls</span> College athletics program of Kennesaw State University

The Kennesaw State Owls fields 16 varsity athletics teams, competing for Kennesaw State University. After spending ten years in Division II's Peach Belt Conference, the university fully transitioned to Division I status in the National Collegiate Athletic Association at the beginning of the 2009–10 season. All of Kennesaw State's sports teams compete in the ASUN Conference through the 2023–24 school year. In July 2023, KSU will start a transition to the Football Bowl Subdivision in advance of its move to Conference USA (C-USA) in July 2024. Of its 18 varsity sports, only women's lacrosse is not sponsored by C-USA. The school mascot is Scrappy the Owl.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Savannah State Tigers and Lady Tigers</span>

The Savannah State Tigers and Lady Tigers are the men's and women's intercollegiate athletic teams that play for Savannah State University in Savannah, Georgia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Northern Illinois Huskies</span> Intercollegiate sports teams of Northern Illinois University

The Northern Illinois Huskies are the athletic teams that represent Northern Illinois University (NIU). The Huskies are a member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I and the Mid-American Conference (MAC). The athletic program is made up of seven men's sports and 10 women's sports. The football team competes in the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Charleston Cougars</span> Intercollegiate sports teams of College of Charleston

The Charleston Cougars are the varsity intercollegiate athletic teams representing the College of Charleston in Charleston, South Carolina. The Cougars compete in NCAA Division I and are currently members of the Coastal Athletic Association. The university sponsors 20 varsity sports teams including men and women's basketball, cross country, golf, soccer and tennis; women's-only dance team, equestrian, beach volleyball, softball, track and field and volleyball; men's-only baseball; and co-ed sailing and cheerleading. The university's most successful sports are co-ed sailing, which has won 14 national championships since 1986, women's volleyball, which has qualified for the NCAA Tournament seven times since 2002 and men's baseball, which has qualified for the NCAA Tournament seven times since 2004.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Emporia State Hornets</span> Athletic teams that represent Emporia State University

The Emporia State Hornets are the athletic teams that represent Emporia State University (ESU). The women's basketball and softball teams use the name Lady Hornets. The university's athletic program fields 15 varsity teams in 11 sports all of whom have combined to win 50 conference championships as well as three national championships. Corky the Hornet serves as the mascot representing the teams, and the school colors are black and gold. Emporia State participates in the NCAA Division II and has been a member of the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA) since 1991.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Savannah State Tigers basketball</span>

The Savannah State Tigers basketball team represents Savannah State University and competes in NCAA Division II as a member of the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference since July 2019. The Tigers play their home games in Tiger Arena on the university's Savannah, Georgia campus.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lindenwood Lions</span> Athletic teams of Lindenwood University

The Lindenwood Lions and Lady Lions are the intercollegiate athletic teams that represent Lindenwood University, located in St. Charles, Missouri, in intercollegiate sports as a member of the NCAA Division I ranks, primarily competing in the Ohio Valley Conference for most of its sports since the 2022–23 academic year.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eastern Washington Eagles</span> Intercollegiate sports teams of Eastern Washington University

The Eastern Washington Eagles are the intercollegiate varsity athletic teams that represent Eastern Washington University, located in Cheney, southwest of Spokane. A member of the Big Sky Conference, EWU's athletic program comprises five men's sports: basketball, cross country, football, tennis, and track and field, and seven women's sports: basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, tennis, track and field, and volleyball.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">North Florida Ospreys</span> Collegiate sports club in the United States

The North Florida Ospreys are the athletic teams of the University of North Florida in Jacksonville, Florida. The Ospreys compete in the ASUN Conference in NCAA Division I. UNF became a full-fledged member of Division I in 2009; previously, the Ospreys were members of the Sunshine State Conference and Peach Belt Conference in NCAA Division II. UNF fields teams in seven men's sports and ten women's sports.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Central Oklahoma Bronchos</span>

The Central Oklahoma Bronchos, are the intercollegiate athletic teams representing University of Central Oklahoma, located in Edmond, Oklahoma. The five men's and nine women's varsity teams are called the "Bronchos". The school's identification as Bronchos dates back to 1922, when the wife of football coach Charles W. Wantland suggested it for the school's mascot. The official colors of the teams are bronze and blue, which the institution adopted in 1895. The Bronchos compete in the NCAA's Division II and in the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletic Association in all sports except women's rowing, which competes in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference. The Bronchos have won 22 national championships, with the most recent coming in 2023 as the wrestling program won the NCAA Division II Wrestling Championships. The university's current athletic director is Stan Wagnon, who has served in the position since 2020.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Minnesota State Mavericks</span> Intercollegiate sports teams of Minnesota State University

The Minnesota State Mavericks are the intercollegiate athletic teams that represent Minnesota State University, Mankato. The school's athletic program includes 21 varsity sports teams. More than 600 students participate each year in athletics for the university. Most of the university's athletic teams compete at the NCAA Division II level in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC). The men's and women's ice hockey teams compete at the Division I level, respectively in the Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA) and Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA). Minnesota State began competition in the NSIC in 2008–09, due to the dissolution of the North Central Conference. It was also one of the seven WCHA men's hockey members that left that league after the 2020–21 season to reestablish the CCHA, a move that led to the demise of the men's side of the WCHA.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Valdosta State Blazers</span>

The Valdosta State Blazers are the athletic teams that represent the Valdosta State University, located in Valdosta, Georgia, in intercollegiate sports at the Division II level of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). The Blazers have primarily competed in the Gulf South Conference since the 1981–82 academic year.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alabama–Huntsville Chargers</span> Athletic teams based at University of Alabama in Huntsville

The Alabama–Huntsville Chargers are the athletic teams that represent the University of Alabama in Huntsville, located in Huntsville, Alabama, in intercollegiate sports at the Division II level of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). The Chargers have primarily competed in the Gulf South Conference since the 1993–94 academic year.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sioux Falls Cougars</span> Sports teams of University in Sioux Falls

The Sioux Falls Cougars are the athletic teams that represent the University of Sioux Falls, located in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, in intercollegiate sports as a member of the NCAA Division II ranks, primarily competing the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) since the 2012–13 academic year. Prior to joining the NCAA, the Cougars previously competed in the Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) from 2000–01 to 2010–11; and in the defunct South Dakota Intercollegiate Conference (SDIC) from 1977–78 to 1999–2000.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">St. Mary's Rattlers</span> Intercollegiate sports teams of St. Marys University, Texas

The St. Mary's Rattlers are the athletic teams that represent St. Mary's University, Texas, located in San Antonio, Texas, United States in NCAA Division II intercollegiate sporting competitions. The Rattlers compete as members of the Lone Star Conference for all 11 varsity sports. St. Mary's was a member of the Heartland Conference from 1999 to 2019.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Drury Panthers</span> Athletic teams of Drury University

The Drury Panthers are the athletic teams that represent Drury University, located in Springfield, Missouri, in NCAA Division II intercollegiate sports. The Panthers compete as members of the Great Lakes Valley Conference for all 21 varsity sports. Drury has been a member of the GLVC since 2005.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">North Georgia Nighthawks</span> Intercollegiate sports teams of University of North Georgia

The North Georgia Nighthawks are the athletic teams that represent the University of North Georgia, located in Dahlonega, Georgia, in intercollegiate sports at the Division II level of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), primarily competing in the Peach Belt Conference since the 2005–06 academic year. North Georgia's rifle team competes at the Division I level as affiliate members of the Southern Conference (SoCon).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Craig Smith (basketball, born 1972)</span> American college basketball coach (born 1972)

Craig Francis Smith is an American college basketball coach who is the head coach for the Utah Utes men's team of the Pac-12 Conference. He served as an assistant for Tim Miles at four schools – Mayville State, North Dakota State, Colorado State, and Nebraska. Smith was also the head coach at Mayville State from 2004 to 2007, at South Dakota from 2014 to 2018, and at Utah State from 2018 to 2021.

References

  1. Northern State University Graphic Standards (PDF). Retrieved February 13, 2017.
  2. "Athletics". Northern State University. Retrieved June 7, 2019.
  3. "Records" (PDF). Northern State Wolves. Retrieved 13 October 2022.
  4. "Curt Fredrickson Announces Retirement after 39 Years as Head Women's Basketball Coach". Northern State University. Retrieved June 7, 2019.
  5. Plummer, William; Floyd, Larry C. (2013). A Series Of Their Own: History Of The Women's College World Series. Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States: Turnkey Communications Inc. ISBN   978-0-9893007-0-4.