Augustana University is on the cusp of a thrilling new chapter in its athletic program with the unveiling of Midco Arena, a state-of-the-art facility set to become the home of Viking Hockey. This arena not only marks a significant upgrade for the university's hockey program but also introduces exciting opportunities for students and fans alike.
“I’ve heard from so many in our community as they’ve followed the progress of construction and now, we get to share what the end product will look like, so it just brings this first-class facility to life,” Director of Athletics Josh Morton said.
Inaugural Season and Home Opener
Viking Hockey is gearing up for its inaugural season with great anticipation. Augustana Hockey’s first home weekend will take place on Oct. 4-5, against CCHA opponent Ferris State. The team will also play three more contests at the Denny Sanford PREMIER Center on Nov. 25, and Jan. 26.
“We’re officially under a year away from competing in our inaugural season, and with that comes a great amount of anticipation and excitement,” Viking Hockey Head Coach Garrett Raboin said.
“We are blessed in Sioux Falls to have a facility like the Denny Sanford PREMIER Center that offers us the opportunity to get off to a great start in our inaugural season,” Morton added. “We appreciate the collaboration we have had with the staff at the PREMIER Center.
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Midco Arena Features
When the puck drops in Midco Arena, it will seat nearly 3,100 fans and include a luxury club area, as well as 12 suites. The strength & conditioning area is more than 4,400 square feet with a second-level turf area spanning more than 2,800 square feet.
Ticketing and A-Club Membership
All Augustana Hockey season tickets will be tied to an Augustana A-Club membership. The A-Club is the annual fundraising arm for Viking Athletics. The financial support of its members allows Augustana to provide the opportunity for life-changing experiences for student-athletes in the classroom, competition and the community. Priority, location and number of seats available for purchase will be based on membership level and Viking Priority Points. The five contests in the Denny Sanford PREMIER Center will be part of the Augustana Season Ticket Holder Package.
Ticket prices vary depending on season tickets, single games, groups, and students. For walk-up ticket sales, the box office windows are located inside the west entrance of Midco Arena. All Player Pass Lists and Will Call will be located at the west entrance as well.
The ticket office is in charge of all sales, will call, lost tickets, and players' guest list. Will Call is located at the box office windows inside the west entrance to Midco Arena.
Arena Policies and Amenities
Here's a breakdown of important policies and amenities at Midco Arena:
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- Address: 2510 S. Sioux Falls, S.D.
- Alcohol: Sold throughout the concourse level (available to all fans 21 years of age or older). Alcoholic drinks purchased can be carried back to all seating areas.
- Animals: All animals are prohibited from entering any athletic facility.
- Advertising: Augustana University prohibits the use of University grounds and facilities for sales, advertising, or promotional activities without approval. Vendors must be on the approved vendor list.
- Assisted Listening Devices: Available in the Midco Arena Ticket Office.
- Bag Inspections: May be conducted at Midco Arena. Fans should have their bags open and ready for inspection by Event Staff or Campus Safety if asked.
- Cameras: Non-flash, still cameras may be used to take pictures at Midco Arena. Camera lenses greater than four inches in length are prohibited. Tripods and other photography equipment may not be used without a building issued Media Credential.
- Video/Tape Recorders: Video recorders and/or digital cameras with recording capabilities are prohibited at all times during Midco Arena events. Tape recorders are not allowed at any time.
- Campus Safety: Officers are located throughout Midco Arena. Contact an usher or AU staff member for assistance.
- Children's Tickets: Children aged 2 years old and under do not need a ticket for event entry provided they are seated on a lap. If children want to sit in their own seat, a ticket must be purchased.
- Lost and Found: Guests can check for lost and found items at the guest services desk on game day or at the Elmen Center main athletic offices.
- Medical Attention: Fans needing medical attention should find the nearest usher or First Aid Station (located on event level next to the SKOL Shop inside the west lobby).
- Impaired Guests: Guests who appear impaired or intoxicated may be denied entry or subject to ejection.
- Accessibility: Augustana University is committed to providing equal access, opportunity, and reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities. There are 2 drop-off/pick-up locations between the Elmen Center and Midco Arena. There are (2) elevators located in both of the east and west entrances of Midco Arena.
With your support, we can continue to provide the opportunity to have a life-changing experience for our over 450 student-athletes across 22 sport programs.
Parking and Transportation
In anticipation of the first hockey games in the on-campus home of Augustana hockey, parking and drop-off lanes have been identified by Augustana University for Midco Arena. Parking lots will open three hours prior to the event. The Midco Arena Lot is permit parking only or $20 as space allows. The Elmen Center Lot is also permit parking only or $10 general parking fee for all home Augustana Hockey games. If multiple parking spaces are needed each additional space will cost $10 each. Plentiful free parking is available on Augustana's campus including the parking lot on the west side of Kirkeby-Over Stadium.
For convenient access to Midco Arena, fans will have two drop-off lanes available including directly in front of the main entrance of Midco Arena on the west side of the building. For fans going north on Grange Avenue, after turning off 37th street, the drop off lane is on the right-hand side of the road, just steps from the front doors. On the east side of Midco Arena, a VIP lot is reserved for those with corresponding passes.
Augustana Club Hockey
Augustana University announced the addition of men’s and women’s club hockey in Fall 2024. The announcement came after the construction of Midco Arena, which provides the unique opportunity for club hockey games to be played on Augustana’s campus.
The Augustana Club Hockey Program consists of Head Coach Ben Prisbe and Assistant Coach Nathan Miller, with up to 25 players on each team. The program will apply to play at the Division II level, and later apply for membership into a conference.
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The club hockey season began in early October and will run through mid March. Students interested in Augustana Club Hockey should visit, augie.edu/ClubHockey.
Ben Prisbe is the inaugural head coach of Augustana Club Hockey. Prisbe, a Sioux Falls native, spent five seasons as head coach of the Sioux Falls Flyers Varsity Hockey Team - leading the team to South Dakota Amateur Hockey Association (SDAHA) League Championships in 2020 and 2023, a runner-up finish at the 2023 SDAHA State Championship and was named 2023 SDAHA Coach of the Year.
Prisbe has also served as head coach of Team South Dakota for the U-14 National Tournament, where he led the team to victory in the 2022 USA Hockey U-14 National Championship.
Nathan Miller, of Sioux Falls, grew up playing hockey mentored by his two older brothers and father - a former hockey player and native of Owatonna, Minnesota. Miller represented Team South Dakota where he won a national championship at the 16U age division in Reston, Virginia. He also spent multiple seasons playing Midget AAA in Des Moines, Iowa, and Sioux Falls.
The university will also make the club sport of figure skating even more competitive, including the addition of a coach.
Where to Watch
Fans can watch Augustana hockey on Midco Sports and FloHockey.
Here is a table summarizing the key details of the Augustana Hockey club team:
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Launch Date | Fall 2024 |
| Head Coach | Ben Prisbe |
| Assistant Coach | Nathan Miller |
| Team Size | Up to 25 players per team (men's and women's) |
| Level | Division II (application pending) |
| Season | Early October to mid-March |