USF & Augustana Announce New Competition

The renewed rivalry between the University of Sioux Falls and Augustana College got a kick start from Sioux Falls Mayor Mike Huether on Monday.

The Mayor's Cup will be a year round all-sport competition between the two Sioux Falls schools to see which athletic department is the strongest from top to bottom.

"3,300 students, 600 faculty, millions and millions of dollars of economic development that happens and yes, the thrill of competition every week that's created by these two schools. I'm just thrilled by it and to have it be called the Mayor's Cup? It's a wonderful honor," Mayor Mike Huether said.

The Mayor's Cup will weigh each of the 16 sports equally throughout the year. It will also feature an academic challenge for highest GPA and other community events such as a blood drive between the two schools.

"It's a great thing for the city of Sioux Falls. Augustana and USF are huge within this community and to have a Mayor's Cup where you can follow individual games and follow it throughout the year, and the next year, and the next year is a fantastic thing," Augustana Assistant AD Jeff Holm said.

"It's one way that we can not only engage the fans as part of this rivalry but its also a way to give back to the community and say thank you," USF AD Kevin Hesser said.

With the University of Sioux Falls and Augustana now sharing a conference. The schools hope the Mayor's Cup will help continue an already strong rivalry.

"It will help build it in the correct way where all sports are together. It's not just this sport or that sport. It's all sports are together all student athletes are in it together and you can create a friendly or healthy rivalry and it will be a great thing for both schools," Holm said.