I am still trying to see exactly what Augustana would bring to the table as a Summit member, beyond some now-musty NCC rivalries, a league schedule evener and a location within the Dakota-centric conference.

As I see it, they don't have many fans, nor to they bring a new market to the conference, as Sioux Falls is already at the center of the conference - they would just slice up the existing South Dakota market further, especially South Dakota and South Dakota state's recruiting area and influence in the Sioux Falls market.

From a brand standpoint, Augutana is a tiny school, with a small endowment, little academic stature and virtually no brand awareness outside of the Dakotas. It virtually shouts "Small college-Small time." thus re-forcing the existing stereotype of the podunk Dakota population base.

All in all, I don't the addition of Augustana being additive to the conference - moreover, I see it as dilutive.