Monday, July 19, 2010

RFC Summer Semester--Dakota Athletic Conference Preview (NAIA)

What it is: The Dakota Athletic Conference (DAC) enters its second decade of competition at the NAIA level, as it was formed in 2000. The DAC came about a result of a merger between the North Dakota Collegiate Athletic Conference, and the South Dakota Intercollegiate Conference. The current version of the merged league has eight schools from both Dakotas as members heading into the 2010 season.

Two former members have already left the DAC, as the University of Mary in North Dakota left in 2006 to join the NCAA Division II Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference, while Si-Tanka-Huron of South Dakota closed its doors just one year earlier, in 2005. A current DAC member, Minot State, has its sights set on the NCAA, as officials at the institution applied for D-II membership in 2009. MSU was recently granted second-year status by the NCAA.

Website: http://www.dakotaac.org/

Predicted order of finish (2009 overall record in parentheses, projected champion in BOLD type)

1. Dickinson State (7-4): The Blue Hawks enter the 2010 season aiming for the program's 22 conference title, as well as their 15th playoff berth, both all-time.

2. Minot State (8-3): With a preseason ranking of No. 11 by the College Fanz Sports Network, the Beavers have non-conference against NCAA Division II Bemidji State and Concordia-St. Paul (Minn.), respectively, to begin the 2010 campaign.

3. Black Hills State (6-4): Another recent acceptee into the NCAA Division II ranks, the Yellow Jackets 2010 schedule includes a contest against NCAA Division III Wisconsin-Stout on September 3.

4. Jamestown (5-5): The Jimmies hope to win their first conference title since 2007, and second in the last four seasons.

5. South Dakota Mines (5-5): The Hardrockers have fallen on hard times, at least when it comes to winning conference championships, as their last league title came in 1991.

6. Valley City State (3-7): The Vikings have won 25 conference titles all-time, with their last crown coming in 2005. But it has been a lot longer since the VCSU faithful has experienced postseason play, with the program's last playoff appearance happening in 2001.

7. Dakota State (2-7): The Trojans will do battle against defending NCAA Division III national champion Wisconsin-Whitewater on September 11.

8. Mayville State (1-9): The Comets have won only 10 games over the last eight years.

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