Luther College Athletics Mission Statement and History

Mission Statement

Luther College, since the inception of intercollegiate athletics for its students, has affirmed that athletics is integral to the fulfillment of its mission. That mission, which is anchored in its commitment to the Triune God, is to be the church in higher education, calling and preparing people to serve in the world. The Luther education not only disciplines minds but develops whole persons and prepares them to serve with distinction for the common good. The intercollegiate athletics program serves to help fulfill this mission with development of strength of body, discipline, teamwork, sportsmanship, sense of fair play, motivation and commitment towards a high goal.

History

Luther intercollegiate athletics began May 17, 1891, when the Norse hosted a baseball game with St. Olaf College. Luther won that game 9-4, beginning a tradition of athletic excellence that has continued for more than 100 years.

Luther competes in 10 men's and nine women's intercollegiate athletic programs. The college is a member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division III (NCAA III) and the Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (IIAC or Iowa Conference). Members of the Iowa Conference include Buena Vista University, Central College, Coe College, Cornell College, the University of Dubuque, Loras College, Simpson College and Wartburg College.

Since joining the Iowa Conference, Luther has dominated the championship scene, winning an unmatched 194 (of 455) IIAC titles. The men have won 140 team championships, while the women have won 54. During the 46-year history of the men's All Sports Championship, the Norse have won the award 20 times. The Luther women have also dominated the All Sports Championship, capturing the trophy nine times during the 22-year history of IIAC women's sports.

Dedicated in 1991, the Regents Center provides Luther students with one of the finest indoor athletic facilities in the Midwest. In addition to the main gymnasium with its three basketball courts and seating for 3,000 spectators, the center contains a six-lane swimming pool; 200-meter, six-lane track; six tennis courts; six volleyball courts; two basketball courts; four batting cages; an athletic training room; three racquetball courts; and a multipurpose gym.

The Legends Fitness for Life Center is a complete 10,000-square-foot strength and fitness center. In 2005, the nationally ranked wrestling team moved into the finest wrestling facility in the Iowa Conference, the 3,960-square-foot Paul Solberg Wrestling Complex.

Luther's Carlson Stadium is considered one of the most beautiful and functional college football facilities in the nation. USA Today magazine referred to Carlson Stadium as "one of the four best places to spend a football weekend." The 5,000-seat stadium encompasses a 400-meter, all-weather track and complete field-event facilities.

Luther also has a championship cross country course on campus. The remainder of the outdoor facilities include a golf driving range, baseball and softball ballparks, 12 outdoor tennis courts, and a varsity soccer field with lights and a stadium that seats 400.

Luther student-athletes have achieved great academic and athletic honors. Two hundred and fifty All-American honors have been earned by Luther student-athletes. During the 2000-01 season, 10 Luther athletes were crowned national champions. In 2007, Luther wrestlers Nate Hansen (125) and Matt Pyle (149) became the 26th and 27th athletes to claim a national title.

Forty-three student-athletes have been awarded the CoSIDA Academic All-American honor and 27 have received the distinguished NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship.

The Iowa Conference sports information directors sponsored academic all-conference teams for the fall, winter and spring sports. To earn academic all-conference honors, a student-athlete must have a grade point average of 3.50 or greater on a 4.0 scale. have attended the school for a full year, and competed on a varsity sport. Since 1993-94, the first year of this award, 951 academic all-conference honors have been earned by Luther student-athletes.

If you are looking for a school that will provide a great education while participating for one of the finest athletic progams in the Iowa Conference, click here to contact one of our coaches.

Additional Information

Write or call the Admissions Office, Luther College, 700 College Drive, Decorah, Iowa 52101-1042; toll-free number: 1-800-4LUTHER; e-mail: admissions@luther.edu.