They have finally begun to gain some traction at D2 in the absence of the traditional NCC powers. To ditch that in favor of taking on USD, SDSU, and all other regional D1 schools would be foolish, they simply do not have the funds to field a competitive D1 program. Part of that stems from their very small enrollment. Augustana wouldn't be the smallest institution in D1, but certainly among the ten smallest. I would like to know when the last time a school with a sub-2000 enrollment made the transition up to D1.
Here'a a list of Division 1 schools with the lowest enrollment. Not sure how up to date it is.
1.) Centenary College of Louisiana 854
2.) Presbyterian College 1,174
3.) Wofford College 1,389
4.) Virginia Military Institute 1,428
5.) Saint Francis University 1,612
6.) Mount St. Mary's University 1,641
7.) Davidson College 1,668
8.) Wagner College 1,924
9.) St. Bonaventure University 2,141
10.) Houston Baptist Univeristy 2,208
11.) Stetson University 2,222
12.) Mercer University 2,245
13.) The Citadel 2,288
14.) St. Francis College 2,344
15.) Saint Peter's College 2,366
16.) Lafayette College 2,382
17.) Lipscomb University 2,420
18.) Mississippi Valley State University 2,513
19.) Oral Roberts University 2,558
20.) Alcorn State University 2,626
21.) University of Evansville 2,632
22.) Gardner-Webb University 2,646
23.) University of Richmond 2,795
24.) Furman University 2,801
25.) Charleston Southern University 2,835
26.) Colgate University 2,836
27.) Samford University 2,848
28.) Valparaiso University 2,881
29.) College of the Holy Cross 2,898
30.) Campbell University 2,934