As Midco Arena prepares to open, supporters celebrate greater goals

This paid piece is sponsored by Midco.

 Even before the puck drops for the first game at Augustana University’s Midco Arena on Friday, it’s easy to see the wins adding up.

 There likely will be plenty on the ice itself.

But beyond the 3,100-seat venue at 33rd Street and Grange Avenue is a much bigger story. It’s a statement about the power of partnerships and a vision to propel Augustana – and by extension Sioux Falls and South Dakota – into a future that continues to attract students, faculty and workers to the area.

“It’s a gem of a facility for the campus and the community, and we’re really excited for people to get inside and experience it,” said Augustana President Stephanie Herseth Sandlin.

“It’s a special venue and such an integral, highly visible part of our broader Viking Bold strategic plan. It’s a legacy for the leadership team and the board of trustees in this decade of Augustana history.”

The name on the new building has its own powerful backstory.

For Midco chairman and CEO Pat McAdaragh, Augustana became a critical stop in his future career path. After graduating from Lincoln High School in Sioux Falls, he earned a bachelor’s in accounting in 1981 at Augustana.

“I really liked my classes – the size of them, but mainly the connections with professors. You could tell they cared about you and cared about your future, and there was a real sense of community and support,” McAdaragh said.

“Right away, through a professor, I got my first job with Midco in June of 1981. He told me there was an opening for an assistant controller in Midcontinent Broadcasting, which managed KELO-TV at the time. I didn’t know if it made sense, but I interviewed and then fell in love with the business and the industry. It was just meant to be.”

Today, he remains closely connected to his alma mater, serving on the board of trustees for the past 12 years and as current chair.

“The most rewarding thing is improving the educational experience for the students,” McAdaragh said.

“They’ve always had great professors, but we’ve added new programs, especially in the sciences, and we’re proud that most pre-med students are admitted to the medical school of their choice. The School of Music program has a lot of good, creative, modernizing ideas. Across the board, the students at Augustana perform exceptionally well, and they do a good job producing really high-quality graduates.”

As a longtime trustee, McAdaragh’s “humility and groundedness are among his best assets as a leader,” Herseth Sandlin said. “What he has done as a leader at Midco in adapting to change as a technology and communications company gives him the wisdom and a prism for helping Augustana adapt to change in higher education.”

McAdaragh’s visionary leadership helped propel the arena forward, she added.

“I remember telling him for the first time that there may be interest from T. Denny Sanford in supporting this project, and it was a pivot from our original approach to Division I, but I could tell Pat was already connecting the dots in his mind. He realized it was the right program for the right time for where Augustana is and the type of program Midco wants to invest in, and his colleagues shared the vision.”

For McAdaragh, the new arena and the Division I program it supports were a natural fit for a named sponsorship.

“I can see how it’s going to make the community better and the region better and draw more people from other places to look for jobs,” he said. “I think it will be a multiplier for the community. And once it opens, people will realize that even more.”

The Midco Arena and the hockey program already have elevated Augustana’s brand, said Josh Morton, vice president of athletics.

“It’s unbelievable to see it come together,” he said. “We’ve actually seen traffic increase on 33rd Street because people want to watch the progress. The excitement is incredible, and once people get in, we think they’re going to be impressed because it’s such an inviting facility, and what it’s going to do going forward will be really fun to watch.”

The early response to the new arena “has been great,” Morton continued. “Our premium areas sold out, which is awesome. We’re fighting a little myth that we’re completely sold out. We do have single game tickets available, so if you want to be in the building, there are tickets, and we still have 10 games this season, which is incredible.”

 The design is such that every seat is a good one, McAdaragh said.

“And, I’m a sports nut, so I’ve been in lots of arenas,” he added. “This is a very accessible fan experience. I’m very encouraged by the sight lines. They are going to be good for every seat. The concourses are easy to access for food and beverages.”

 In addition to the ice, the Midco Arena includes the GreatLIFE Strength & Conditioning Center, which will be open to all Augustana athletes, in addition to the women’s soccer team locker room and lounge.

There also will be offices for athletics staff, plus a players’ lounge and locker room for the hockey team. In the Sanford Health Lobby, spectators can shop the Skol Shop for team spirit wear and merchandise.

“When you think about the impact on the campus, this is about more than putting 27 guys in uniform on the ice,” Morton said. “It’s deeper than that — not only for our campus community but the community of Sioux Falls, and we’ve realized that throughout the first three months we’ve seen the program in action.”

 For Midco, the relationship also underscores its broader commitment to local sports. Midco Sports has a multiyear agreement to broadcast AU hockey home games. Additionally, Midco Sports produced a five-part series following the startup of the program.

“The biggest thing for Midco is the connection in the community that sports give,” McAdaragh said. “We want to be aligned with that and a provider of that to help people connect with us and the teams they love.” 

Opening weekend truly is just the start of how Augustana, Midco and the broader community will use the new arena, Augustana leaders added.

 “Our first priority is launching the Division I hockey program, but Augustana is also starting a club hockey program, club figure skating and additional intramural sports. And throughout the community, I can’t wait to partner with youth and adult hockey to offer rental space and host tournaments because it’s such a championship-level facility,” Morton said.

On campus and off, you can sense the momentum, Herseth Sandlin added.

“This is a big part of our own talent attraction, retention and culture,” she said. “Our team can sense the community embracing us. It’s a win for Augustana, a win for Midco, a win for Sioux Falls, a win for the state and a win for the student-athletes and coaching staff and fans.”

 And, now, it’s time to take the ice. The puck drops at 7:07 p.m. Friday, Jan 26. Watch in person or on Midco Sports.

“You think of Minnesota and Wisconsin as hockey states, and now South Dakota will be there,” McAdaragh said.

“I think it’s going to be the hottest ticket in town.”

What to know

Opening weekend for the Midco Arena will be filled with fun – and some surprises. Expect giveaways, entertainment and more.

To reserve your tickets, click here.  

And, mark your calendar for the official ribbon-cutting at 4:30 p.m. Feb. 22.