SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO.com) -- Sioux Falls is growing rapidly and has already attracted an NCAA Divsion 1 conference, the Summit League.
Sanford's Kelby Krabbenhoft thinks the city can and will be able to support a Division 1 team--Augustana University. "I have every confidence that a community this size and what it's growing to, could support a great Augustana Division 1 private school in the Summit League." said Krabbenhoft.
Augustana is a Division 2 team and a member of the Northern Sun Conference.
Krabbenhoft has been talking with Summit League commissioner Tom Douple and Augustana University president Stephanie Herseth Sandlin about the Vikings moving up to NCAA Division 1. Krabbenhoft says, "I've had deep intimate strong conversations with both parties but completely separate and to my knowledge they haven't talked to each other yet."
If Augustana University were to go to NCAA Division 1, one of the oft asked questions is what happens to the football team? That depends, says Krabbenhoft. "The solution to that is for Augstana to apply itself to the challenge overtime. Have a five year plan. Have a ten year plan. I've argued for that for quite some time. People mis-percieved that I want all this done right now."
Krabbenhoft spoke with KWSN Sports Radio's John Gaskins about the future of Augustana's athletic status.
(John Gaskins, KWSN Sports Radio and Todd Epp, KELO.com News, contributed to this report)