BURNSVILLE, Minn. – Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference Commissioner Erin Lind announced that the league has renewed a longstanding corporate partnership with North Star Mutual Insurance Company. A dedicated supporter, North Star Mutual enters its 12th year of supporting and sharing in the league’s great success.
 
North Star Mutual will also be the presenting sponsor of the inaugural NSIC Elite Team Award during the 2026-27 academic year. This award will be awarded for all 18 NSIC sponsored sports and presented to the team/institution that has the highest cumulative grade point average among the teams at the final championship site.
 
“We are proud to continue our long-standing partnership with North Star Mutual Insurance Company and grateful for their commitment to the NSIC and our student-athletes. As we enter our 12th year together, it is especially meaningful to have North Star Mutual serve as the presenting sponsor of the NSIC Elite Team Award, which celebrates the academic success of teams across all 18 of our sports. Their continued support allows us to recognize and celebrate the excellence our student-athletes demonstrate both in competition and in the classroom.”
— Erin Lind, Commissioner | NSIC
 
“North Star Mutual Insurance Company recognizes the continued success of our partnership with the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference which represents so many high-quality student athletes within our organization’ operating territory.  We are thankful for the opportunity to support the NSIC and their high bar of excellence in both academic and athletic endeavors.”
— Larry Johnson, Senior Vice President | North Star Mutual Insurance Company
 
About North Star Mutual Insurance Company
North Star Mutual Insurance Company is a Midwest property-casualty insurance company serving the states of Minnesota, Iowa, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wisconsin, Nebraska, Oklahoma, and Kansas. Formed in 1920, the company offers farm, home, auto and commercial insurance exclusively through a network of over 2,000 independent agencies. North Star Mutual has grown substantially over the last century by providing outstanding insurance protection and service to their 400,000+ policyholders. With a dedicated and experienced staff, North Star Mutual emphasizes superior protection with fast, fair, and friendly service. North Star Mutual writes approximately $900 million in premium annually and is rated “A+” Superior for financial stability by A.M. Best. For additional information, visit NorthStarMutual.com.
 
About the NSIC
The NSIC is a 16-team, 18-sport, NCAA Division II conference with institutions located in Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, and South Dakota. The NSIC is a model Division II conference that uses high-level athletics competition to develop champions in the classroom and community while empowering student-athletes to be impactful and positive leaders. Formed in 1992 by the merger of the Northern Intercollegiate Conference (men’s league) and the Northern Sun Conference (women’s league), the NSIC has flourished over the past quarter century, maturing into a union of Upper Midwest colleges and universities. The NSIC has won 27 team national championships and crowned 128 individual national champions. For additional information, visit NorthernSun.org.
 
About NCAA Division II
The NCAA, the national governing body for college athletics, is a volunteer association of more than 1,000 colleges and universities that classify their athletics programs in one of three membership divisions. The 300+ institutions in NCAA Division II support a balanced approach in which student-athletes can earn scholarships based on their athletic ability, pursue their desired academic degree, and participate in all the campus and surrounding community have to offer. Division II student-athletes annually graduate at rates higher than their student body peers, and they have access to the best championships-participant ratio among the NCAA’s three divisions. Division II gives student-athletes the unique opportunity to compete in the classroom, on the field, in their career, for their causes, and on their terms. For additional information, visit NCAA.org.