(Sioux Falls) Competition in the 86-year old North Central Conference comes to an end this weekend, with the track meet and baseball tournament.

Thursday, we talked with longtime former NCC commissioner Noel Olson about what made the league the strongest in Division II. Today we look ahead and get Noel thought's on the four schools moving to Division I while others make the move to the Northern Sun.

One of the North Central Conference strenghs was the regional rivalries. Whether it was Jackrabbits, Coyotes, Vikings, the Bison or the Sioux, arenas and stadiums were filled.

"I don't know if the rivalries will be the same at division one, especially since two have been apart for awhile. But you're right, the rivalries were a secret to our success," former commisioner Noel Olson said.

Olson and many others were skeptical when SDSU and NDSU announced they were leaving for Division I. Now USD and UND will join them, and that skepticm has changed somewhat.

"It's worked out well for those who have gone as well as can be expected. It will be interesting to see how the others do when they go and I think the other schools that went to the division two conference may reconsider to make the move up eventually."

Augustana along with St. Cloud State, Minnesota State and Minnesota Duluth will be joining the Northern Sun next year. While there won't be as many scholarships available as there were in the NCC, Olson can see that league becoming the new North Central, someday.

Olson says, "They're on the right track. Some of their facilities are not at the level of the NCC, but they're building. Southwest State is building a football stadium that will be like those in the NCC and the Winona basketball program has done amazing things. So they have a shot."