The University of Minnesota Duluth is composed of 14 sports that compete in Division I and II athletics. UMD is a part of the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC). Football, soccer, baseball, tennis, volleyball, softball, men's and women's track, cross country, and basketball all compete in the NSIC. The men's hockey team competes in the Division I National Collegiate Hockey Conference (NCHC) and women's hockey teams competes in the Division I Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA). The primary mission of the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics is to provide an opportunity for educational benefits, personal growth, and development while adhering to the philosophy that an athletic program should provide an outlet for students with the talent to participate in intercollegiate sports.