Augustana Club Hockey — set to begin in the fall — has its first head coach. Ben Prisbe has been selected to lead the university’s inaugural club hockey program, which will consist of a men’s and women’s team.
“Club hockey is a great opportunity for student-athletes to continue their hockey careers and represent their university, all while earning their degrees,” said Prisbe. “I couldn’t think of a better place to do so than Sioux Falls and Augustana University.”
Prisbe, a Sioux Falls native, has spent the past five seasons as head coach of the Sioux Falls Flyers Varsity Hockey Team — leading the team to South Dakota Amateur Hockey Association (SDAHA) League Championships in 2020 and 2023, a runner-up finish at the 2023 SDAHA State Championship and was named 2023 SDAHA Coach of the Year.
Prisbe has also served as head coach of Team South Dakota for the U-14 National Tournament, where he led the team to victory in the 2022 USA Hockey U-14 National Championship in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Prisbe is also part of the South Dakota Selects Hockey coaching staff, serving as a skills instructor and coaching multiple youth AAA teams in the summer months.
Prisbe graduated from the University of Sioux Falls in 2020, where he played golf and earned a bachelor's degree in business administration.
“I’ve been lucky enough to have a front-row seat in seeing the growth that Augustana has brought to the hockey community of Sioux Falls,” Prisbe said. “With the immediate success that Augustana’s Division I team has had and excitement for Midco Arena almost being finished, Sioux Falls is becoming a place where hockey is thriving.”
The Augustana Club Hockey Program, led by Prisbe, will also consist of a part-time assistant coach and 25 players on each team. The program will apply to play at the Division II level, and later apply for membership into a conference. Midco Arena — set to host its home opener Jan. 26-27 — provides the unique opportunity for club hockey games to be played on Augustana’s campus.
The club hockey season will begin in early October and run through mid March. The first season will consist of approximately 12-15 games, and should the program become part of a conference, competitive seasons would include approximately 28-33 games.
Students interested in Augustana Women’s Club Hockey should visit augie.edu/WClubHockey. Students interested in Augustana Men’s Club Hockey should visit augie.edu/MClubHockey. For information on other Augustana Club Sports opportunities, visit augie.edu/ClubSports.