Upper Iowa’s sports teams will beginning competing for conference championhips again in the fall of 2006. The University, along with the University of Mary in North Dakota have been invited to join the Northern Sun Conference. Upper Iowa has been without a conference affilliation since moving to the division-two ranks in 2003. Upper Iowa athletic director Gil Cloud says it legitamizes their move into division two. As a division two independent, The Peacocks have not had the chance to compete for conference titles. He says he told the seniors that they’ve left a legacy that won’t be forgotten as they gave up their opportunity for conference championships so the school could move forward.Moving into the Northern Sun not only provides an opportunity to compete for championships but also makes scheduling much easier.The Nothern Sun currently has six schools in Minnesota, Wayne State of Nebraska and Northern State University in South Dakota.