Augustana athletics celebrates success

Augustana has had a proud, rich athletic history over the past 110 years.

The Vikings can be characterized as dedicated and determined student athletes. They work hard to achieve excellence in athletic pursuits and in academic performance. The emphasis by the Vikings coaches is put on the team process, which is based on mutual respect and support.

The teams are enthusiastically supported by the students of Augustana and by the community of Camrose. Visiting teams can always look forward to a spirited contest against the Vikings, who never give up. “As can be seen from the list of successes, we have had great student athletes in our team activities,” said Yvonne Becker, former athletic director.

Augustana was established by Norwegian pioneers in 1910, and this has certainly influenced the athletics program. Clearly, the Vikings team name was generated from Norwegian inheritance. When considering the Vikings, many may think of them as plundering warriors, a portrait created and perpetuated by popular culture.

Mostly, the Vikings were democrats and craftspeople, who were innovative and creative. As well, they spent much time dealing with harsh, outdoor elements. “Perhaps Augustana’s success in outdoor sports is related to this heritage,” said Becker.

Dr. Garry Gibson, who began teaching at Camrose Lutheran College in 1964, was instrumental in initiating the athletics program that exists now.

Dr. Gibson is an avid outdoors enthusiast and skier, who retired from Augustana in 1995. His enthusiasm and persistence created Augustana’s well-organized Nordic programs, championship canoe teams (no longer a sport in the ACAC, but Augustana was a perennial champion in this activity) and an outstanding outdoor education program. He coached many teams, and found ways to create leadership skills in many of the graduating student athletes of Augustana.

Many have gone on to teach and coach all over Canada. The following is a timeline of the formation of the Collegiate Conference for Competition started the year Dr. Gibson arrived.

1964–Western Inter-College Conference (WICC) formed with Camrose Lutheran College (CLC) as one of five college members involved; exhibition season of volleyball, hockey, cross-country running, curling, badminton and bowling, with Gibson leading athletics at CLC.

1965–Hockey, wrestling, golf and volleyball were added as officially sanctioned conference sports.

1968–WICC was changed to Alberta College Athletic Conference (later changed to Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference–ACAC); Camrose Lutheran College was a charter member.

The number and variety of sports have changed over the years.

Football

Men’s football (1959–72 when CLC discontinued participation). Pastor Karel Lunde was the coach; the team participated in the Central Alberta High School Football League.

In 1967, undefeated season with 295 points for and 57 against. Subsequent season featured a score differential of 263 for and 14 against, which gives an indication of the strength of the program against teams such as Wetaskiwin, Sedgewick, Camrose Composite High School, St. Pat’s and Alberta College.

Wrestling

Wrestling at CLC/Augustana occurred in 1967-68 and 1981-82 when competitions ended. Pastor Lunde was also the head coach of the wrestling team.

Team attended tournaments at U of Alberta, U of Calgary and the ACAC Championships.

Team members also participated in provincial championships.

Canoeing

Canoeing at CLC/Augustana was offered between 1966-67 and 1997-98, when ACAC competitions ended.

During this time period, the women’s team won 17 ACAC conference championships, the men’s team won eight, and the mixed team won 11.

The men’s relay team won eight ACAC conference championships, the women’s relay team won nine, and the mixed relay team won nine. The War Canoe conference competition was won by CLC a total of eight times.

Gibson’s leadership as coach of this team resulted in its continued success.

Cross-country skiing

Cross-country skiing at CLC/Augustana (1977-78 to 2005-06, when ACAC competitions ended).

During the years of ACAC competition, the women’s team won 24 of 28 conference championships, and the men’s team also won 24 of 28.

In the mixed relay, CLC/Augustana won an astonishing 28 of 28 conference championships.

Other than ACAC competition, the team participated in Alberta Cup races, Western Canadian Championships and Canadian Championships.

Since 2018, cross-country skiing has club status on campus and is student-led and supported by the Augustana Nordic Advisory Committee and the Camrose Ski Club.

Biathlon

Biathlon at CLC/Augustana (1980-present as a club sport).

For many years, the campus was home to the only collegiate biathlon program in Canada–it provided student athletes the opportunity to combine training with a university education program.

Coaches and biathletes represented Canada at World Cup competitions, the Olympics and the World University Games in many countries around the world.

The program had significant community support for coaching, trail and range management and competition volunteers.

Financial support for this program was ended in 2018, and biathlon continued as a student-led club that is supported by the Augustana Nordic Advisory Committee and the Camrose Ski Club.

Cross-country running

Cross-country running at CLC/Augustana (1964 to present).

Since 1964, the men’s team has won 11 ACAC conference championships plus three CCAA National Championships (2003, 2004 and 2007).

The women’s team has won 10 ACAC conference championships plus two CCAA National Championships (2005 and 2006) and one CCAA silver medal in 2007.

Men’s hockey

Men’s hockey at CLC/Augustana (1964 to present).

Finished first in ACAC in 1973-74 and 1974-75.

In 1974, the Canadian Colleges Athletic Association (CCAA) was founded; first CCAA National Championships were staged and after winning the ACAC Championship, the Camrose Lutheran College Vikings captured the gold medal in men’s ice hockey.

The Vikings were once again ACAC champions in 2011-12.

From 1981 to 2006, the Vikings were hosts and participants in the Viking Cup International Hockey Tournament and won the gold medals in 2002.

In 2020, budget cuts left the men’s hockey program with an unstable future. The Augustana Vikings Hockey Alumni Association signed an agreement with Augustana to ensure the continuation of the program.

Women’s hockey

Women’s hockey at CLC/Augustana (2000 -2002).

The women’s team was one of five teams in the inaugural ACAC women’s league in 2000-01 and participated in the playoffs. Their second season in 2001-02 was their last as the decision was made to cut their portion of the Athletics budget. The team has not been reinstated to date.

Golf

Golf at Augustana (2013-20).

Men’s individual golf ACAC championships were won in 2015-16, 2017-18 and 2018-19.

In the men’s team event, Augustana won gold in 2015-16, silver in 2016-17 and 2017-18, and bronze in 2019-20.

In the mixed team event, Augustana won bronze in 2019-20. Financial support for this program was ended in 2020 due to budget cuts.

Men’s volleyball

Men’s volleyball at Augustana (2010-11 to present).

Finished in first place in the north division of the ACAC and went on to win the conference championship in 2014-15.

They also won a bronze ACAC medal at the 2015-16 championships.

Prior to ACAC competition, the men’s volleyball team participated in the Alberta Colleges Athletic League (a small college conference), in which they won nine gold medals in 13 years in the league (1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2005, 2006, 2008 and 2009).

Women’s volleyball

Women’s volleyball at Augustana (2010-11 to present).

Climbed through the standings to finish in first place in the ACAC north division in 2019-20 and finished in fourth place at the ACAC championships that year.

Prior to ACAC competition, the women’s volleyball team participated in the Alberta Colleges Athletic League (a small college conference), in which they won nine gold medals in 13 years in the league (1997, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2005, 2006, 2008 and 2009).

Women’s soccer

Women’s soccer at Augustana (2014-15 to present).

Joined ACAC competitions in 2014-15.

Men’s soccer

Men’s soccer at Augustana (2014-15 to 2020).

Joined ACAC competitions in 2014-15. Financial support for this program was ended in 2020 due to budget cuts.

Curling

Men’s and women’s curling (1969-70 to present).

Women’s team won the ACAC championship in 1978-79 and 2019-20.

The men’s team won the ACAC championships in 1969-70, 1971-72, 1980-81, 1992-93, 1996-97 and 2016-17.

The mixed team won the ACAC championships in 1970-71, 1982-83, 1989-90, 1997-98, 2001-02, 2010-11, 2011-12, 2012-13 and 2014-15.

In CCAA National Championships, the men’s team won bronze in 2012-13 and 2016-17, and the women’s team won bronze in 2019-20.

Women’s basketball

Women’s basketball (1964-65 to present).

Won the ACAC championships in 1969-70. Won ACAC bronze medals in 1991-92, silver medals in
2013-14.

Team had a 24–0 record in 2002-03.

Men’s basketball

Men’s basketball (1964-65 to present).

Competed in ACAC playoffs in 1990-91, 1997-98, 1998-99, 1999-00, 2000-01, 2001-02, 2018-19 and 2019-20.

Academic achievement and athletics at CLC/Augustana go hand in hand.

“The dual focus of athletic participation and academic success requires significant commitment and time management for students. Along with skill development and team tactics, coaches of Augustana student athletes require academic success as a cornerstone of accomplishment,” said Becker.

“Each year, the ACAC awards the ACAC Academic Athlete Awards to student athletes who, while competing on a team, have achieved academic honours standing.”

In 2019-20, 112 Augustana student athletes received this award. As well, the CCAA provides two academic awards for student athletes; the National Scholar Award for participation on a CCAA sanctioned team and achieving honours standing. Each year, Augustana athletes have received many of these awards (52 in 2018-19). The second CCAA award is presented to those student athletes who maintain an honours standing while also being selected as an all-conference team member in their provincial conference. In 2019-20, Augustana student athletes received nine such awards.

Aside from providing exciting spectator opportunities in the gymnasium and on the ice, fields, and trails, the teams at CLC/Augustana have always provided beneficial services to the Camrose community.

“The team members have often led sports skills camps and junior programs for hockey, basketball, volleyball, cross-country skiing, biathlon and soccer. Other examples of their engagement include the 2000 Battle River Sport Cut Challenge for the Cure, which was awarded the CCAA Community Service Award for the Vikings hockey team’s contribution to this project,” shared Becker.

As well, the Vikes for Tykes program is a Christmas toy drive undertaken by student athletes. The toys gathered are donated to those in need in the community. These are just some examples of programs undertaken by student athletes to give back to their community.  

This article was originally published in the Camrose Booster on May 11, 2021.