Photo Courtesy of: JLG Architects
In October 2021, Augustana University announced that it will be home to the Viking Men’s Hockey program — set to take the ice in the fall of 2023. The public announcement came during a groundbreaking ceremony on AU’s campus for the program’s new Midco Arena. The hockey program, which will compete at the NCAA Division I level as part of the Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA), will be the Vikings’ 23rd collegiate sport and first of its kind in South Dakota.
Al Schoeneman is gracious in supporting the operations of the Midco Arena — an integral part in being able to run and maintain a facility such as the one planned for Augustana’s campus.
“I've been a longtime booster and have gone to events at Augustana over the years,” said Schoeneman.
Schoeneman is the owner/president of Schoeneman’s Building Materials Center — the third generation to manage the family-owned business established in 1888. The business has four locations in Sioux Falls and Harrisburg, South Dakota, as well as in Spencer and Hawarden, Iowa.
Schoeneman has no connections to hockey and is somewhat new to the sport, but has always “backed Augustana” and thinks it’s a great facility for both AU and the community.
“It gives Augustana another vein of students who want to get a great education, plus persistence in participating in a sport where they can help offset some of their financial burden out of school. So that's just a great facility enhancement of Augustana,” Schoeneman added.
For more information on how to contribute to the program, visit augielink.com/hockey.
Learn more about other Viking Men's Hockey and Midco Arena donors: