Spring 2004 Rabbit Tracks

RABBITtracks

Volume 10, No. 1

South Dakota State University

P a s s i o n a t e .

R e l e n t l e s s .

Spring 2004

C h a m p i o n s .

A message from Fred Oien

Go Jacks!

W

e are nearly through year one of our five year transition to Division I. Recruitment has gone better than we could have imagined. Scheduling is more exciting than we could have imagined. The “Lifelong Champions” campaign, under the leadership of Sid Bostic and Keith Mahlum, is nearly one quarter of the way to the five-year goal.

This year we will submit our first report to the NCAA on our transition strategic planning. This plan addresses the steps we are taking to succeed as a new member of Division I. The plan includes how we will maintain our support for student-athlete academic success, maintain compliance with NCAA rules, achieve financial stability throughout the transition, and many other significant issues.

Beginning next year we will see athletic contests with the likes of Montana State, Cal Poly, the University of Minnesota, Creighton University, Illinois State, plus many other great Division I universities. In 2004-05 we will continue to play Division II, Division III and some NAIA schools. The transition process allows us to compete against a limited number of Division I opponents because we do not count in the scheduling criteria for Division I schools during the 2004-05 year.

Beginning 2005-06 you will begin to see a significant shift to more Division I schools on our schedule.

A Division IAA football conference has been formed – the Great West Football Conference. We are beginning official talks to do the same for wrestling. Our talks with Division I conferences, for our other sports, continue to be positive. The process is not as fast as any of us would like, but it is progressing in a way that we believe is fruitful.

The move to Division I has created a conversation unlike any other in recent years.

The patience and trust shown by our most loyal has been unbelievable. Like all change, it is hard to imagine a future in light of such a successful past. This was probably true for many institutions that made these decisions years ago. What is assured is that this institution has never walked away from progress and the willingness to become better servants for the state and region.

Go Jacks!

Fred Oien SDSU Athletic Director

P a s s i o n a t e .

R e l e n t l e s s .

C h a m p i o n s .

VIsIon To be a premier student-centered, collegiate athletic program.

MIssIon To passionately and relentlessly create an environment, rooted in sportsmanship and ethical conduct, where motivated student-athletes can develop into lifelong champions.

VAlues Honesty, equity, academic integrity, fiscal integrity and social responsibility with the expectation of competing at the highest level.

P a s s i o n a t e .

Rabbit tracks

R e l e n t l e s s .

C h a m p i o n s .

Contents

Spring 2004,Vol. 10, No. 1

Early gifts fan flames of scholarship campaign . . . . . . . . . .2

SDSU President Peggy Gordon Miller SDSU Athletic Director Fred Oien SDSU Sports Information Director Ron Lenz SDSU Sports Information Assistant Director Jason Hove Assistant to Athletic Director/External Affairs Keith Mahlum Editor Nan Steinley, University Relations Contributing Writers Kyle Johnson, Dave Graves, Miranda Malo, Denise Watt, University Relations Jason Hove, Sports Information Office Designer Nina Heitzman, University Relations Photographer Eric Landwehr, University Relations

Wrestling standout Bryant now starring in pharmacy program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4

Rabbit Tracks is produced by University Relations in cooperation with the SDSU Athletic Department at no cost to the State of South Dakota. Please notify the Athletic Department office when you change your address.

Move to DI creates new opportunities . . . . . . . . . . . . .12

Athletic Department South Dakota State University Box 2820, Brookings, SD 57007 Telephone: 605/688-5625 Fax: 605/688-5999 Website: www.gojacks.info

Front cover photos by Eric Landwehr, University Relations 1,000 copies printed by the SDSU Athletic Department at no cost to the State of South Dakota. PE069 5/04.

Record holder Pater carries success to coaching sideline . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 Cizek, Davis lead SDSU to its best three-year record in history of women’s basketball program . . . . . . . . . . . . .6 Jackrabbit Acceleration gives new meaning to keeping fit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8 Stats don’t tell full story of student-athletes . . . . . . . . . . .10

Athletic graduation rate setting the standard . . . . . . . . .13 A league of their own . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14 SDSU, NDSU to play for Dakota Marker . . . . . . . . . . . .15 Expanded scholarship opportunites . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16

University

Lifelong

Champions

Campaign

Early gifts fan flames of scholarship campaign

I

gnited by two impressive gifts, the Athletic Department’s Lifelong Champions Campaign gives every indication of burning a trail right to its $20-million goal, according to volunteer chairman Sid Bostic.

Bostic ’64, who made SDSU a national basketball champion with his half-court game-winner in 1963, anchored a January 8 press conference in Sioux Falls, where the campaign was announced. It included the revelation of a $2.75 million gift from the estate of Mildred White and a $1 million gift from Bostic. Additionally $500,000 in anonymous committments have been secured.

The primary focus of the funds will be for the scholarship endowment to supply the fuel for the University to burn brightly as it enters Division I athletics this fall.

Since the announcement of these pacesetter gifts, “We’ve been given verbal commitments from three large donors, each of whom is considering a gift in excess of $1 million,” says Bostic, now of Rio Verde, Arizona.

“What typically happens when you make an announcement like this, it gives some incentive for people who can afford to do it to think ‘Why shouldn’t we do something like this too?’” Bostic reports.

“. . . it’s a labor of love for me. I owe a big piece of anything I’ve been able to achieve to South Dakota State and I’m enjoying giving back some of what I received.” Sid Bostic, ‘64 (right)

2 • Rabbit tracks

$20-million Lifelong Champions Campaign exceeds $4 million Goal an achievable challenge He hopes these tentative commitments will be firm within the next few months.

But fund-raising at such levels is not a simple task. “If we get half of that [$20 million] in the first year, we’ll feel very, very good. It’s a complicated matter” with tax issues and the timing of the deductibility of contributions being major considerations, the retired banker says.

“I think the first half to two-thirds of the money will not come easily, but it’s very achievable.”

“The second half of it will be more difficult, but there’s a lot of good things going on right now,” Bostic said in a post-press conference interview with the Brookings Register.

He noted the recovery of the stock market and the charitable and philanthropic nature of Midwest people.

“So when you look at all those factors, I think we’ve got an excellent chance of achieving our goals,” he told the Register.

In addition to creating a $20-million endowment within five years, there is a goal to raise $750,000 in scholarship dollars that can be used on an annual basis, Bostic adds.

“The vast majority of the $4.2 million [raised to date] is endowment money,” he explains. “There is a piece of it that will be used on an annual basis.” The endowment, when fully funded, is expected to generate approximately $1,000,000 per year.

Facilities a secondary focus “The vast majority of the campaign proceeds will be used for scholarships.

A small portion will go for facility improvements.

A 2002 report by Carr Sports Associates, which was hired by SDSU, found that most of State’s athletic facilities were at a Division I level.

Improvements were recommended for football facilities and select practice facilities.

More athletes to gain scholarships SDSU is a bit farther off from the Division I level in terms of athletic scholarships.

For the sports that SDSU currently competes in, the NCAA allows for 92.8 scholarships for men and 59.1 for women in Division II. For Division I (and Division I-AA in football) those numbers are 129.1 and 83, respectively.

The big difference between the genders and the divisions is football.

University

Lifelong

The jump from Division II to Division I-AA football is from 36 to 63.

In Division IA, where the Ohio States of the football scene compete, 85 scholarships can be awarded.

For other sports, the difference between the Division I and Division II is less dramatic.

Division I limits are higher in women’s sports than men’s sports.

Women’s Division I basketball can award 15 scholarships compared to 10 in Division II. In cross-country and track, the difference is 12.6 to 18 scholarships.

Volleyball and softball each get twelve scholarships in Division I compared to 8 and 7.2, respectively, in Division II.

Origins of White philanthropy at State The increase in women’s scholarships would undoubtedly please Mildred White, who was a big fan of women’s basketball. One of her first contributions to SDSU was $3,500 to complete renovation of the women’s basketball locker room.

White, originally of Sioux Falls, never attended SDSU, but her husband did. Roger White, like his wife, was a Sioux Falls Washington High School graduate. He enrolled at State for twelve weeks in 1929 and participated on the track team. But the economic crash of 1929 forced his education plans to be shelved.

He earned various promotions while working twenty years for Montgomery Ward’s and then headed Muskin Industries, a furniture manufacturing company. In 1955 he began the Pontiac (Illinois) Furniture Co. and had great success. Roger White died in 1972 at age 62. Mrs. White sold the business in 1974.

She died in March 2002 at age 89.

Five scholarships already endowed by White White’s support of SDSU athletics dates back to October 1991, when V.J. Smith, now director of the SDSU Alumni Association, was the assistant officer to the athletic director.

Champions

He received a call out of the blue from the Wilmette, Illinois woman, who wished to establish a scholarship in her late husband’s name. She would establish several endowed scholarships in the years to come.

Before her death, White had created scholarships in honor of: • Roger L. White for track and cross-country athletes (1992); • Melvin Stoker (younger brother) for track and cross-country athletes (1992); • Mildred Stoker White for women’s basketball players (1993); • Jennie Stoker Helwig (her sister) for volleyball players (1996); and • Dakotah (her Dauschund dog) for any sport (1996).

The first four scholarships were endowed with gifts totaling $100,000 per scholarship. The later scholarship was endowed with $30,000.

White also gave $350,000 in 1997 to finish the South Dakota Art Museum renovation.

“She wasn’t solicited to give to this or the scholarships. The only time I asked for money was for $3,500 to finish the women’s locker room remodeling,” Smith said. “She loved her home state of South Dakota and thought education was important.

“She felt she could impact more students by giving her money to a reasonably priced public university.”

What the gift equals Her estate gift of $2.75 million will provide twelve scholarships a year, according to Keith Mahlum, assistant to the athletic director for external affairs/major gifts officer at SDSU. The first of the new White scholarships will be awarded for the fall 2004 term. Smith noted that the University has received $2 million from the estate to date and the remaining $750,000 will arrive as soon as the estate is finally closed.

Only interest from the gift will be expended. The initial gift of $1 million was received about a year ago and has been accruing interest, Smith said.

Campaign

Alumni Association Director V.J. Smith (top) and David Marquardt, president of the SDSU Foundation, speak at a January 8 press conference in Sioux Falls.

Mahlum observes, “As the University enters into a new era of Division I athletics, we are tremendously encouraged by the faithful support of State alumni and friends.

“It is people like Mildred White and Sid Bostic that have created the strong base of support. Student athletes at SDSU will forever benefit from their generosity.”

An opportunity for all alums Bostic notes he remains deeply grateful to the experiences and knowledge he gained while at SDSU. While chairing the fund-raising campaign may feel an awful lot like a full-time job, “it’s a labor of love for me.

I owe a big piece of anything I’ve been able to achieve to South Dakota State and I’m enjoying giving back some of what I received,” Bostic says.

He says opportunities also will be given to other grateful alums to contribute to the Lifelong Champions Campaign.

“After first year we will broaden the donation scope. We want everyone who desires, to have a chance to be part of this.”

Rabbit tracks • 3

Academic

Achievement

Wrestling standout Bryant now starring in pharmacy program S tudents usually say goodbye to their alma mater when they receive their diploma. Not Tyler Bryant.

After earning a biology degree with a chemistry minor in May 2003, Bryant re-enlisted for another four years, this time as a first year student in the professional pharmacy program.

The former Jackrabbit wrestling allAmerican isn’t daunted by the fact that he’s beginning college life over again.

On the contrary, he’s looking forward to his first day on the job as a practicing pharmacist.

“Wrestling is a real intense sport and it takes a lot of work and dedication. There are a couple of athletes in the pharmacy program who are still competing. I know the work they are going through to compete at that level and do the school work at the same time is tough.

It’s nice to be done with competition so I can just concentrate on my career.” Tyler Bryant Bryant’s decision to pursue pharmacy came during his senior year.

“My brother and dad are both teachers so I was thinking of being a high school teacher,” he says. “I took all the education classes up to student teaching, but then decided that wasn’t for me. I looked into the pharmacy program, talked to friends who were in it, and that’s how I got interested.”

If Bryant’s wrestling resume is any indication, the odds of a successful pharmacy career are high.

A three-time Class A state champion from Pierre, where he logged an impressive 127-4 record, Bryant initially enrolled at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. He was red-shirted after sustaining a knee injury and elected to transfer to SDSU at semester break. The rest, as they say, was Jackrabbit history.

Support of family Ranked in the top-ten on the Jacks’ all-time victory list with a record of 95-31, Bryant was a four-time National Wrestling Coaches Association Academic All-American.

Named to the GTE Verizon Academic All4 • Rabbit tracks

American squad three times with a 3.82 cumulative grade point average, he was awarded the prestigious NCAA post-graduate scholarship in the amount of $6,900.

“Tyler is very intelligent and has a great work ethic,” says SDSU wrestling coach Jason Liles. “He has been very focused at both his academics and his athletics. He’s very goal-oriented.”

Bryant placed in the top-eight at the NCAA Division II championships three years running. His best season was as a junior when he was the North Central Conference champion in the 165-pound division. At the national meet in Canton, Ohio, he battled to the wire before losing the title by one point.

“I was disappointed being that close because my goal was to win the whole thing,” he says. “It was exciting and I was quite happy.”

While Bryant acknowledges the most memorable matches “are the ones you lose,” he indicates his best gratification is the support of family. “The most satisfying thing during my career was having my family come along and all the support they gave me. They are the reason I was able to get where I was.

When you don’t have that support, it makes it tough.”

Good teachers Toby Bryant, eighteen months older and a former Jackrabbit wrestler, is the assistant wrestling coach at Aberdeen Central High School. It was his words of encouragement that kept his younger brother on track.

“My brother is probably my biggest inspiration,” says Tyler. “He pushed me and believed in me more than I believed in myself. He let me achieve a lot of my goals. We’ve wrestled each other since we were kids. He’s the one who roughed me up and developed a mental toughness.”

His father, Myron, was on the wrestling teams at Watertown High School and Northern State University. He instructed Tyler as the assistant wrestling coach at Pierre under the direction of head coach Rick Jensen, a national champion and two-time national runner-up at State in 1976-79.

“I’ve had some pretty good teachers over the years,” reflects Bryant, who is quick to cite another important member of his family. “I can’t downplay what my mom [Debbie] has done for me. She’s been the rock of our family. She’s the one who keeps you going, win or lose.”

Bryant hasn’t dropped out of the wrestling scene. He serves as a student assistant to Liles, traveling with the team, and working out with his former teammates. He remains fit and trim and still holds his own at practices.

“I still have it,” he grins. “When I come in, they back up!”

Bryant successfully maintained high grades despite a demanding athletic schedule and rigorous off-season conditioning. It was a routine he appreciates even more now that his days as an intercollegiate athlete are over.

Academic

Achievement

Record-holder Pater carries success to coaching sideline

P

edagogy is a Greek word for teaching and learning. For Melissa Pater, it means a new direction in her life.

Originally pondering a master’s degree in exercise science, Pater altered her plans and is pursuing a graduate degree in sports pedagogy, a two-year course that focuses on coaching.

“I want to teach and coach at the collegiate level,” says Pater, who earned her undergraduate degree in health promotion in May 2003. “I really enjoy what I’m doing now, working with the players to improve their game, and being involved with the entire program and athletic department.”

Pater finished her first year as a graduate assistant for the SDSU women’s basketball team and coach Aaron Johnston. Her view from the sideline is quite different from the one she held the previous four years when she ruled the hard court.

“I was talking to another coach who had played college athletics,” she relates. “We were discussing the fact that it might have been better if we had been a coach first before becoming players. That way we would have had a deeper understanding of the game from a coach’s point of view.”

Johnston says Pater exhibits the same type of qualities in the coaching ranks as she demonstrated as a player.

“Melissa has done a great job in the transition from player to coach,” he says. “She is very familiar with our system and she has a great rapport with our current players.

“Similar to her playing days, as a coach Melissa brings the same competitive drive and passion for South Dakota State University. She has all of the qualities necessary to be successful in the coaching profession.”

A season to remember Pater, who is coaching the post players, once again helped fuel the Jacks to another banner season. Last year as a senior, she reached the pinnacle of success when SDSU claimed the NCAA Division II championship.

The Jacks posted the most wins in school history with a 32-3 record and they were co-champions of the North Central Conference at 14-2. The national title, the first in the thirty-eightyear history of the program, is something Pater and the team will savor for a long time to come.

“I don’t think a day goes by when I haven’t thought about it,” she says. “Before the season started, I remember all the players came over to our house one night. We were talking, and I said, ‘You guys, all I dream about is winning a national

championship. Let’s go out and do it.’”

Pater was named the Most Outstanding Player of the Elite Eight. In the six NCAA playoff games (three regional, three Elite Eight), Pater averaged 21.7 points and 9.6 rebounds per game, while shooting nearly 70% from the field.

Pater became the first Jackrabbit women’s basketball player to earn allAmerica honors when she was named to the first team of the Daktronics Division II All-America team. She was also named the most valuable player of the NCAA regional the last two years.

“A national title shows the hard work and dedication of the players and coaches. It’s a tremendous way to represent this University and the community of Brookings.” Melissa Pater

Strong work ethic Johnston appreciates Pater’s athletic prowess and her coaching ability. “Melissa had a huge desire to be the best she could,” he says. “She was constantly challenging herself, critiquing and always pushing hard to succeed. Now, she’s doing the same thing on our coaching staff.

“I think she’ll be remembered more for her work ethic and her personality,” he adds. “Her high energy level, sprinting up and down the floor, diving for loose balls, are things people will remember her for, even more than being the leading scorer.”

Pater, a native of Holland, Minnesota, came to SDSU after making her mark at Southwest Christian High School in Edgerton, Minnesota. Pater’s athletic accomplishments caught the attention of every conference school.

“Nancy Neiber [former head coach and current senior women’s administrator] did a great job during the whole recruiting process. I liked and still like the town of Brookings a lot. It’s the right size for me and just so friendly. The campus was wonderful and the whole atmosphere here really appealed to me and still does.”

Rabbit tracks • 5

Competitive

Success

Friendships, titles mark careers

Cizek, Davis lead SDSU to its best three-year record in history of women’s basketball program

T

hey met during freshman registration, engaged in small talk, not knowing what the future held—only looking forward to their first practice as a South Dakota State University Jackrabbit.

That was the humble beginning for seniors Stacie Cizek and Brenda Davis. Four years later their resume is the envy of others who don a NCAA Division II women’s basketball uniform.

Three consecutive North Central Region titles spawned the same number of trips to the Elite Eight national tournament, including the school’s first national championship as juniors in 2002-03. Along the way were two co-North Central Conference crowns.

The achievements are indeed eye popping and have yet to fully sink in, even for two veterans who were the heart and soul of a program that produced 101 victories and a host of treasured memories during their collegiate careers.

“It’s been hard to reflect on it, there hasn’t been a lot of time,” says Davis, a former Tri-Valley High School standout from Colton. “I do think how unusual it is to have that many accomplishments. Both Stacie and I know that it wasn’t just

6 • Rabbit tracks

one of us doing it. It was a matter of a lot of great players in the program who have been responsible.

“When you look back you are going to remember the Elite Eights and the national championship, but more than anything else, it’s the friendships that have developed over the years.”

Cizek, who starred for Omaha Millard South High School, agrees. “When I came to SDSU, I really didn’t think about those things, especially that we would have a national championship. It’s difficult to put into words on how I feel about everything.

“It’s been great, though, how we’ve accomplished so much.

In the four years I’ve been here, we’ve all been best friends, we hang out together. I mean, that’s how it should be.”

Melissa Pater, who set single-season and career scoring records for the Jacks last year, offers a refreshing perspective on the team’s makeup after moving to the coaching sideline as a graduate assistant.

“As a former player, and now as a coach, I hear how other coaches have problems with how their players get along, like being selfish and hard to handle,” she says. “I think we take for granted here, how effective our coaches are at recruiting, not just good athletes, but also good people. They

Competitive

know what kind of athletes they are looking for here. It’s the type of person they are, too, and I think that says a lot.”

Winning starters Davis and Cizek have suited up for 254 games, including 203 starting assignments. Since becoming starters as sophomores, SDSU has won 82 percent of its games during that time with an impressive 86-19 slate.

Davis, a 5-11 forward and a three-time all-North Central Conference pick, finished as the school’s second all-time leading scorer and first in career three-point field goals made.

Her most vivid memories, which include “incredible State-U games,” are engrained in last year’s national title run, specifically a teammate’s performance in the Elite Eight semi-final contest against Bentley.

“Winning a national championship was an awesome experience, but for me personally, it was Stacie’s shot,” she says. “You just never forget a shot like that or a game like that.

We’ve watched that shot, I don’t know how many times, and it’s just as exciting as the first time.”

Cizek’s three-pointer at the end of regulation sent the game into overtime. The Jacks eventually won and went on to defeat Northern Kentucky in the title game.

“I’m just really thankful it went in,” she says. “My parents and sisters were more excited than I was. The championship is still pretty fresh in my mind. I always think wow, I can’t believe we did it, but then again I say ‘Wow, we deserved it!’”

A 5-10 guard, Cizek started every one of the Jacks’ 105 games in the last thee years, ending up in the top-10 in career assists. The 130 assists she dished out as a junior, was the twelfth-best total in school history.

Supportive fans, parents Away from the game and its numbers, there will be memories of cheering crowds, the loyal Jackrabbit faithful, who were just as vocal and supportive on the road as they were in Frost Arena, one of the premier basketball facilities in the country.

“Our fans are incredible, just the best,” says Cizek.

“They know who you are, they know your name, it’s not just ‘hey you.’ It’s a

“Our fans are incredible, just the best. They know who you are, they know your name, it’s not just ‘hey you.’” Stacie Cizek

Success

great feeling playing in front of so many people, it’s just a great rush.”

“At most of our road trips, we would have more fans than the other teams we were playing,” adds Davis. “I can’t talk in front of, like four people, but I have no trouble playing in front of thousands.”

With team togetherness, there comes parent camaraderie.

During the last four years, their parents (Marc and Bonnie Cizek, Jan and Lori Davis), have criss“Competing at such a the land, high level, getting pushed crossed following the Jacks, to your absolute highest from Colorado to Florida to Texas, to limit was a big thrill. I Georgia, to the couldn’t have asked for a Midwest, to the Elite better four years.” Brenda Davis Eight in St. Joseph, Missouri.

“Our families got to be pretty good friends, our dads are now hunting buddies,” remarks Davis. “Not doing this [playing] will probably be hard on them for the next few years. But, it was great having that kind of family support at our games. I’m going to miss that, too.”

Two studentathletes, rich in Jackrabbit success, are now looking forward to life after basketball.

The next venture for Cizek will be the fashion industry as a designer when she graduates in May with a degree in apparel merchandising.

Davis plans to graduate in December and enroll in optometry school in the fall.

“I’m definitely going to miss the friendships, the atmosphere, playing in Frost Arena. I feel nothing but the best for the coaches. They put in more time and energy than any one of us. I feel very fortunate to be here.”

“I will always be thankful for the friendships,” adds Davis, “but competing at such a high level, getting pushed to your absolute highest limit was a big thrill. I couldn’t have asked for a better four years. The people here have been great. It’s just been awesome!”

Rabbit tracks • 7

Competitive

Success

Jackrabbit Acceleration gives new meaning to

keeping fit S

tudent-athletes looking to document improvement in their physical repertoire, need to look no further than SDSU. Nash Simet, a Brookings High School senior, has reaped the benefits of Jackrabbit Acceleration, a revolutionary new strength and conditioning program at the Stan Marshall HPER Center.

“For me it’s a great way to stay in shape and a great way to be competitive within myself,” he says. “It made me a stronger runner with quicker feet.

Everything they did along with the weight training and the plyometrics made it really good. It pushed my limits of what I thought I could do.”

Jackrabbit Acceleration is a network member of the Frappier Acceleration Sports Training Program. Developed by Fargo, North Dakota, native John Frappier in the late 1980s, it’s a systematic series of supervised training protocols and exercises designed to safely enhance the physical performance in athletes of all ages, interests, and skill levels.

“I wanted to improve my strength and quickness and it helped keep me in shape,” says Simet, who plans to attend

8 • Rabbit tracks

SDSU in the fall and play football as a defensive back for the Jackrabbits.

“Each summer I participated in the program I improved my time in the forty,” he adds. “I definitely want to continue doing the program throughout college, because I really benefited from the results.”

Areas of concentration Jackrabbit Acceleration began in May 2002 and is sponsored by Avera McKennan Hospital, which has offered the Frappier program since 1994.

Programs are also offered in Aberdeen, Mitchell and Sioux Falls.

“We’re committed to helping people achieve their athletic and fitness goals,” says coordinator Lee Munger, who earned a health promotion degree from State in 1998 and a master’s degree from University of Wisconsin-La Crosse in 2001. “What makes it unique are the scientifically developed exercise protocols. We can train people at any time throughout the year for any sport.

“Whether you are a developing athlete, high school or college athlete, recreational athlete, recovering from an injury or simply want to get in shape,

our staff can help guide you to your fitness goals.”

The protocols are divided into different exercise segments aimed at improving acceleration and sprint speed, agility and balance, power and quickness, strength and stamina, and neuromuscular coordination.

Hank McCall, a junior cornerback on the Jackrabbit football team, reports successful results after injuring his hamstring during winter workouts.

“I didn’t have much strength in my legs, they were in a weakened state,” says McCall of Algona, Iowa. “The program has really helped me out,

Competitive

getting my overall foot speed and quickness back up to where it should be.”

The program’s exercise regime targets the lower body and is supplemented with free weight upper body exercises in the weight room, according to Munger.

“Our machines are specifically lower body strength training,” he says. “We supply an upper body program to complete the full body workout.”

Machines easy to use The running portion is achieved with the super treadmill. Designed to improve speed, endurance, and overall athletic success, it has a top speed of twentyeight miles per hour and an incline of 40 percent.

Stride length and stride frequency, the two major components associated with running faster, are developed by adjusting the treadmill’s interval time, speed, and incline level.

The Plyo Press focuses on leg strength. The machine was constructed in a way that reduces stress on the back and legs when in use, making the exercise routine comfortable and natural.

Participants lay on an inclined surface and push down varying amounts of weights, anywhere from fifty to 300 pounds.

The Pro Multi-Hip machine works on the four different areas of the hip, strengthening the muscles that are essential for increasing stride length.

The plyometric program focuses on improving power, quickness, coordination, stability, balance, and awareness of body position through multi-directional floor exercises.

Success

Athletes completing the program generally see average improvements of .10 seconds in the ten-yard dash, .20 seconds in the forty-yard dash, .15 seconds in the pro agility test, and three inches in the vertical jump.

The program is still relatively new and Munger anticipates continued growth.

“In summer 2002 we trained only Brookings High School and SDSU athletes. Last summer we expanded our service area to include east, west, and north of Brookings. We broke the fifty barrier for high school kids, which was more than we had all of 2002. We also have close to twenty-five SDSU athletes.

The numbers have increased so we’re pleased with the success of the program.”

PROGRAM FITS SCHEDULE, NEEDS Jackrabbit Acceleration has twenty-four sessions or three sessions per week in an eight-week program period.

It includes a pre- and posttesting evaluation. After completion, the program can be customized to fit a participant’s schedule and needs.

For more information contact Lee Munger at 605-688-4803 or Lee.Munger@sdstate.edu

Rabbit tracks • 9

Social

Responsibility

Stats don’t tell full story of

student-athletes

F

or seventh-grader Catlin Johnson of Arlington, spending a Saturday morning working with SDSU student-athletes has become an annual tradition.

“I think it’s fun,” says Johnson, a participant in the Fast Break Clinic, a free youth basketball clinic held January 31.

She says her favorite part of the clinic is participating in the stations in which participants work on specific basketball skills.

Johnson says she has come to the clinic the last four years “because I am in basketball and I think it will help me improve.”

In addition to gaining basketball skills, clinic participants get the experience of working with SDSU student-athletes.

“I think it’s really cool,” says Johnson.

Holly Lunden, a parent from Toronto, says that her kids were excited about the clinic.

“I think it’s a good program,” says Lunden. Like Johnson, her children have participated in the program before and have returned to participate in the clinic again. She says that the program gets the kids excited about basketball.

“I appreciate what SDSU does by sponsoring it,” Lunden says.

More than 100 student-athletes and around 400 area elementary kids in grades one through eight participated in the clinic this year.

Helping all year long Participating in the annual clinic is just one of several ways in which the Student Athlete Advisory Committee gives back to Brookings and surrounding communities.

10 • Rabbit tracks

The group donates time conducting fund-raisers that provide money for children’s Christmas presents and new coats, as well as help fulfill Make-A-Wish requests.

As mandated by the National Collegiate Athletic Association, the committee serves as a communication link between University administrators and the 420-member student-athlete body.

The committee consists of two athletes from each of the twenty sports offered at SDSU. The forty-member committee meets every Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. and is under the supervision of Nancy Neiber, the senior women’s administrator.

“The NCAA requires that each NCAA institution sponsor such a committee so that there’s a voice from the students back to the administrators,” Neiber explains. “The committee does a number of important things throughout the school year.”

Social

Responsibility

Discusses NCAA proposals When it comes time for the annual NCAA Convention, the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee meets with SDSU administrators beforehand to discuss new NCAA legislation proposals and their impact on the institution.

But the committee’s most extensive work targets children.

“It’s very rewarding to be part of a group like this,” says committee President Zach Olson, a senior swimmer from Thief River Falls, Minnesota. “It’s so important as athletes to reach out into the community and give something back.”

The committee’s first project this school year was the Halloween Penny Carnival. Proceeds went to the Brookings School District’s Drug and Alcohol Resistance Education Association program.

When the Jackrabbit basketball teams held Midnight Madness in October, donations were collected for the national Make-A-Wish Foundation.

November found the committee collecting coats, caps, and gloves. The committee collected money, too, which was used to purchase new coats. The coats were given to three boys in elementary school before Thanksgiving. They also received new caps and gloves. The rest of the clothing was given to Brookings Social Services.

committee members volunteer and take them to their first SDSU athletic event. In addition, student-athletes are available as tutors for middle school students during the school year.

“Whether it’s taking underprivileged youth to a sporting event or voicing our opinions on current NCAA legislation, SAAC gives us the opportunity to show that we are not just athletes,” points out SAAC Vice President Jennifer Hasis, a sophomore soccer player from Roanoke, Virginia.

“We are students, athletes, and people who care about the community around us.”

Providing a role model “People don’t realize how much of an impact we have on kids and how they look up to us,” adds SAAC Secretary Sarah Biggerstaff, a junior volleyball player from Winona, Minnesota.

“It’s a good feeling to know that we can be a positive role model in their lives.”

In December, the committee collected new toys before SDSU’s basketball game with Northern State University. They were wrapped and given to local organizations, which distributed them to needy families.

For Brookings Middle School students, who have never seen the Jacks play football, basketball, and volleyball,

“We are students, athletes, and people who care about the community around us.” Jennifer Hasis, sophomore soccer player from Roanoke, VA

Jackrabbit athletes help with the Fast Break Clinic (above two) and the Halloween penny carnival, both at Frost Arena.

Rabbit tracks • 11

Competitive

Success

Continuing a tradition of excellence

Move to Division I creates new opportunities for players and fans

T

his fall’s journey into Division I competition requires the University to set sails in deeper and largely unfamiliar waters, but the route will be navigated with the same tradition of excellence that has guided SDSU athletics since its early days, SDSU leaders report.

“As a University, we have determined through extensive research that intercollegiate athletics’ reclassification from NCAA Division II to Division I is consistent with the University’s mission and vision,” Athletic Director Fred Oien says.

The University’s vision: “To be a premier, student-centered collegiate athletic program.”

The University’s mission: “To passionately and relentlessly create an environment, rooted in sportsmanship and ethical conduct, where motivated student-athletes can develop into lifelong champions.”

So what does that mean?

A higher level of competition “We’re probably not going to have the records we’ve had in the past,” admits men’s basketball coach Scott Nagy, who has built a 208-57 (thru 3/4) record in nine seasons at State. “Will SDSU ever win a [Division I] national championship?”

But only selective editing could allow one to think Nagy is opposed to the switch from Division II to Division I. “We do get to play better people. I think that’s what people want to see and what our players want to play against.

Eventually, all but one game will be a Division I game. People will be excited about the home games we have.

“The key in Division I is to be competitive in your conference and have a chance at the end of the year to win your conference and get into the [national] tournament,” Nagy says.

12 • Rabbit tracks

First focus on conference titles Oien echoes those comments.

“The conference championships are the first championships you’re most concerned with and the chance to play in the post-season. Clearly, the focus will be on winning conference championships and having a broadbased program where you get multiple conference championships.

“It really is rare that you win the national championship. It isn’t a given in Division II. You go back to that idea that the conference championship gives you prestige,” Oien says.

There also is prestige in simply being a Division I school.

Head men’s basketball coach Scott Nagy (left) with Troy Larson, assistant coach.

Creating memories “I think student-athletes will like to say they were a Division I athlete. In 1988 our men’s basketball team played [an exhibition game] at Chrysler Arena against the University of Michigan [1989 national champions]. Do you think those players don’t like to tell that story?” Oien says.

He adds that, “It is every athlete’s dream is to play to the top level.

Sometimes you can’t always do that. But the ultimate challenge is to play at the top level.”

As a Division I school, SDSU will have an opportunity to do that “and we are going to be playing in front of excited, enthusiastic fans where the venues are full,” the athletic director stresses.

The national travel opportunities to play top institutions will be plus for fans as well as players, he says. “The alumni base will have a chance to see us as we travel to Chicago, Denver, Des Moines, Ames, without taking away the local opportunity for people to see the Jackrabbits,” Oien says.

A chance to dream, stay home Moving to Division I also can create a vision for younger athletes.

“Students will now have a dream while in high school to prepare themselves for Division I play in South Dakota,” Oien says.

In addition, “Every one of our coaches now has an opportunity to keep the best athletes in South Dakota whereas many years we’ve lost athletes to Division I institutions. We can offer the same things. Coaches have found our ability to talk to some studentathletes has become easier.

“We’re able to talk to student-athletes that would never have spoken to us if we hadn’t gone to Division I,” Oien says.

Academic

Achievement

Athletic graduation rate setting the standard

P

erceptions that the only books read by studentathletes are their playbooks don’t stand up to statistics compiled by SDSU and other universities for the NCAA. At SDSU, the graduation rate of student-athletes, is “very high” says Kathy Heylens, compliance coordinator on campus. At 67 percent, it is 12 points higher than the rate of the entire SDSU student body of 55 percent and well above the 52 percent average of all Division II schools.

That’s based on the Freshman-Cohort Graduation Rates that all schools are required to report to the NCAA. For the statistics, student-athletes are defined as full-time, degree-seeking students receiving athletic financial aid.

There are a couple of theories as to why studentathletes do so well.

“I think the success of our student-athletes in the classroom can be attributed to the number of people who monitor their progress throughout the year,” says Heylens, explaining that there is a system of checks and balances in place that extends from the professors to the coaches.

Students are required to have their professors fill out mid-term grade sheets, and coaches will help line up tutors or study tables if necessary.

Teammates often support each other, too.

“If they’re taking the same class together, they’ll all get together and study,” says Heylens. She says that gives student-athletes an advantage.

“When they come to SDSU they have an immediate support network and built-in family,” says Nancy Neiber, former women’s basketball

curriculum of 13 academic course units, and have a sum score of 68 on the ACT or a 820 combined score on the math and verbal sections of the SAT. The standards are little higher for Division I incoming freshmen.

“There is a ‘sliding scale’,” says Heylens. They must have completed 14 core

second only to Minnesota State-Mankato.

“We are always looking to improve opportunities for our student-athletes,” says Neiber.

Heylens explained that larger schools have a position devoted strictly to the academics within the athletics department.

GRADUATION RATES 2003 2002 ATHLETE STUDENT BODY ATHLETE STUDENT BODY -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------SDSU 67% 55% 75% 53% DII avg.

52% 45% 50% 45% DI avg.

62% 59% 60% 58%

coach and senior women’s administrator for the Jacks.

Some of that support network comes from outside the athletic department.

“The Briggs organization . . . has volunteered their time to provide free tutoring,” says Heylens. The Stephen F. Briggs Scholars Organization, comprised of students who have received the Briggs scholarship for excelling academically, has provided this service for the past four years.

The NCAA spells out academic criteria for incoming student-athletes. Incoming Division II freshmen must graduate from high school with a cumulative grade point average of 2.00 in a successfully completed

academic courses, and their required GPA is based on their ACT or SAT scores. For example, if a prospect has a sum score of 78 on the ACT, she or he must have a 2.225 core-course GPA. “I think credit should be given to the coaches for recruiting students that will succeed academically as well as athletically,” she says.

That is the strategy to keep the student-athlete graduation rates up, too.

“We continue to recruit quality student-athletes that can compete,” says Neiber.

In 2003, the studentathlete graduation rate was down eight percentage points, but compared to other schools in the North Central Conference SDSU ranks

“Division I requires athletic departments to provide resources for studentathletes to have the opportunity to be successful academically,” says Neiber.

“They have the same goal in mind.” That goal is a consistently high studentathlete graduation rate.

Rabbit tracks • 13

Memorable

Experiences

A league of their own:

SDSU forms football-only conference with five others

J

ohn Stiegelmeier and his SDSU football team can put their focus on a Division I-AA league championship as they begin their first season apart from the Division II North Central Conference.

The six-school Great West Football Conference was announced on February 25 at simultaneous press conferences throughout the Great West.

The name describes the conference quite well. It is football only. Three of the other schools are already in Division I conferences that do not field football programs. And its boundaries stretch from Brookings to the beaches of California.

Cal Poly-San Luis Obispo is a short drive to Pismo State Beach. Cal-Davis lies on the outskirts of the state capital of Sacramento.

Southern 2004-05 DIVISION I FOOTBALL Utah in Cedar Sept. 4 @ California-Davis City sits within Sept.

11 WINONA STATE (MINN.) a triathlete’s Sept.

18 WESTERN OREGON hike of Zion Oct. 2 @ Cal Poly-San Luis Obispo and Bryce Oct. 9 NORTH DAKOTA STATE Canyon Oct. 23 @ Montana State National Parks.

Oct. 30 @ Georgia Southern The Great Nov. 6 AUGUSTANA West’s other Nov. 13 @ Southern Utah truly western Nov. 20 @ Northern Colorado school is Northern SDSU still hopes to fill one of its two open dates. Four Colorado in home games have already been scheduled for 2005.

Greeley, within eyeshot of the Rocky Mountains. The sixth school is North Dakota State University in Fargo.

(A seventh school, St. Mary’s College, near Sacramento, California, was initially part of the conference but the school’s board of trustees voted to drop football.)

Travel guarantees While SDSU will obviously be switching from charter bus to jet airliner for most of its road games, the budget impact isn’t as bad as some would assume, Athletic Director Fred Oien says.

Many schools provide travel guarantees that offset much of the trip costs, he says. “For example, when we play Montana State this fall they will give us a significant guarantee that almost totally offsets our costs. It doesn’t cost us any more, when the guarantee is included, to play at Montana than at Omaha.

14 • Rabbit tracks

“It some cases you don’t have guarantees where you have a home game [one year] and an away game the next year with the same opponent,” Oien explains.

Two familiar foes Two of the Great West schools are quite familiar to State.

NDSU and SDSU have been members of the North Central Conference since its inception in 1922. Northern Colorado was a member from 1978 to 2003, when it played an independent Division I schedule.

Like UNC, the University of California-Davis played its first season of independent Division I games this school year.

For other sports, Southern Utah belongs to the Mid-Continent Conference. Cal Poly is part of the Big West Conference.

Competition in the Great West Football Conference will begin on Saturday, September 4, when SDSU visits Cal Davis, and NDSU travels to Northern Colorado. Each conference school will compete against at least five other Great West teams this fall.

Reviewing the past The conference will allow SDSU to continue its storied tradition with its land-grant rival to the north. North Dakota State, the winner of five national football titles, holds a 49-36-5 series advantage.

Northern Colorado, which won back-to-back national titles in 1996 and 1997, holds a 18 – 13 advantage over the Jacks.

The Jacks have split two games with UC Davis. South Dakota State has not played the other two schools in football.

But coach Stiegelmeier is looking forward to starting.

“I am tremendously excited for a number of reasons. First and foremost, our players will be able to compete for a conference championship in the first year of our reclassification.

They have committed to our mission and they deserve the opportunity provided by playing for a championship.

“I am also excited about the caliber of competition that the Great West Conference will present for all the schools. We are moving to Division I-AA for a number of reasons, and one of those reasons is to compete at the highest level. The Great West Conference is that type of league,” Stiegelmeier said when the conference was announced.

The other sports In 2004-05 DI opponents will include: University of Texas-El Paso, New Mexico State, Marquette University, Boston College, Loyola University-Chicago, Drake, Northern Colorado, North Dakota State, University of Wyoming, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and University of Minnesota.

Memorable

Experiences

SDSU, NDSU TO PLAY FOR

Dakota Marker Still in the design stage, the Dakota Marker will be about ed quartzite monuments that define the border between three feet in height with the letters “SD” on one side and South Dakota and North Dakota now signify a football “ND”on the other side, just like its 720 namesakes that dot the rivalry between the two states.

The Dakota Marker, a replica of the seven-foot by ten-inch 366-mile border. The exterior will be a thin layer of quartzite with the inside still to be determined, according to Jones. square stone monuments planted in the early 1890s, is the “The students just nailed this one when they did their name of a new traveling trophy that SDSU and North Dakota research,” notes SDSU athletic director Fred Oien.“They were State University will be competing for beginning with the able to take a marker that divides our borders, learn its 2004 season.

A press conference to announce the trophy was held April heritage, and make this trophy.

The trophy also adds another page to the playbook, 21 at the border on a piece of land owned by George and according to SDSU head football coach John Stiegelmeier.

Jean Knudsen, a half-mile west of I-29.

“This [trophy] just adds that much more to your game The original idea for the trophy came from the Blue Key preparation, your season, what you focus on,” he said. “It’s an Honor Society at NDSU. The Student Associations at both unbelievably neat deal. I schools are working think we are really blessed together on the to be in the Great West trophy details. Funds Conference, and to have a to create it are being traveling trophy, adds raised by Blue Key another dimension to it.” and the SDSU Jackrabbit linebacker Students Association.

Chris Coauette of Both groups will Crookston, Minnesota, says share dual the trophy elevates the ownership of the rivalry up a few notches trophy. when the teams lock horns “We feel strongly at a new level. that this trophy “It will be real represents the history intense,” he says. “It’s not of both states and a new rivalry, but will serve as a great something to renew,” rivalry trophy for Coauette said. “We’re both many years to taking a new step up and come,” says Adam it’s good to have a familiar Jones, president of team like NDSU.” Blue Key. SDSU football player Chris Coauette, left and NDSU Football player Chuck Wiest carry their school’s SDSU President Peggy The trophy flags during the Dakota Marker celebration April 21 at the North Dakota-South Dakota border.

Gordon Miller dubbed the denotes SDSU’s and students as pioneers in NDSU’s entry in the new NCAA Division I-AA Great West Football Conference. And creating the trophy, much the same way their ancestors carved out their lives on the prairie. it signals a revised rivalry between two schools that have a “You’ve had the history of it and you know what great football history covering 89 meetings dating back to 1903. success comes from courage, determination and quality,” says “As the Dakotas embark on the Division I venture Miller. “Now, we are moving onto the playing field and you together, it’s only fitting that the two institutions inaugurate a get to be part of history.” traveling trophy that recognizes and honors that history,” says

R

Amanda Mattingly, president of the SDSU Students Association.

“The students at SDSU look forward to a long, competitive, and friendly rivalry that will capture the essence of the future and the past.”

Rabbit tracks • 15

Memorable

Experiences

Expanded Scholarship Opportunities SDSU’s vision of expanding scholarship opportunities for student-athletes is on its way to becoming a reality, thanks to the move to Division I athletics.

“The clear trend in Division II has been to reduce scholarships at the national level,” says Keith Mahlum, assistant to the athletic director for athletic development. He says that SDSU’s goal of expanding scholarship opportunities for student-athletes was one variable in the decision to move to Division I. Mahlum says the expanded Division I scholarship limits will allow more scholarship opportunities for studentathletes. “[It] allows us to expand our recruitment of the most talented student athletes,” he says.

SDSU will award about 100 scholarships to student-athletes this school year, for fiscal year 2004. The amount of each scholarship varies due to reciprocity rates and the number of credits the studentathlete takes. These scholarships mean nearly $850,000 will be awarded to Jackrabbits sports teams members this year.

Interest earnings generated from endowments, as well as Jackrabbit Club donations and ticket receipts, currently fund athletic scholarships at SDSU. By fiscal year 2010, Mahlum says SDSU’s goal is to award 180 athletic scholarships, which should equate to more than $1.5 million in scholarship dollars. Thanks to the new gifts received in December 2003, that goal is already in progress.

A gift of $1 million from former State basketball standout Sid Bostic, in addition to another $2.75 million donation by Mildred Stoker White, serve as the pacesetting gifts for the Lifelong Champions Campaign, which began in November as an effort of the Athletic Department and the SDSU Foundation.

Bostic serves as volunteer chairperson of the fund-raising effort.

Mahlum says the goal is to raise $20 million, primarily for athletic scholarship endowment funds. He says $20 million will generate nearly $1 million of interest per year, which will be used strictly for athletic scholarships.

16 • Rabbit tracks

Expanding opportunities Currently under Division II scholarship regulations, SDSU head football coach John Stiegelmeier says that SDSU may award thirty-six football scholarships.

Those thirty-six may be divided up to offer partials.

Under Division I-AA regulations, schools may award up to sixty-three scholarships. These sixty-three scholarships also may be divided into partials; however, only eighty-five athletes may be on scholarship at one time.

“The biggest impact . . . is [that] the guys we have on scholarship now will have increases at a faster rate. We presently do not have anyone on a full scholarship. The increases allow us to help some of our athletes at an increased levels,” the coach says.

Stiegelmeier says that he doesn’t think recruiting will become easier now that SDSU will compete at the Division I level. After all, SDSU will now be competing with schools like Northern Iowa for the same athletes.

“Our players are very excited about the challenges ahead,” he adds.

Women’s soccer coach Lang Wedemeyer says that the increase in scholarship dollars allowed by the move to Division I athletics will provide more opportunities for female athletes to participate at the varsity level.

“I think that it also gives us a chance to widen our recruiting base,” says Wedemeyer. He adds that the impact is local, allowing talented players to stay in South Dakota rather than going elsewhere.

The Differences between Divisions The table represents the maximum number of scholarships for each division according to NCAA regulations. However, conference regulations often shape how many scholarships a university may offer, according to Kathy Heylens, compliance coordinator at SDSU. Prior to the 2003-04 academic year, North Central Conference regulations limited the total number of men’s sports scholarships to sixty-one. This includes

fifteen scholarships offered in men’s sports other than basketball and football, with no more than five per sport.

Scholarship limits for women’s sports in Division II Division I MEN’S SPORTS Football Baseball Wrestling Basketball CC/Track Golf Swimming Tennis TOTALS

36 9 9 10 12.6 3.6 8.1 4.5 92.8

63 (I-AA) 11.7 9.9 13 12.6 4.5 9.9 4.5 129.1

WOMEN’S SPORTS Basketball Volleyball Soccer Softball CC/Track Golf Swimming Tennis TOTALS

10 8 9.9 7.2 12.6 5.4 8.1 6 67.2

15 12 12 12 18 6 14 8 97

the North Central Conference follow NCAA guidelines.

Scholarships may be divided among student-athletes into amounts called equivalencies. Division I regulations do not limit the number of student-athletes that may be awarded scholarships, except in the following sports: • In Division I-AA football, 63 scholarships may be divided among a maximum of eighty-five athletes.

• In Division I men’s basketball, a limit of thirteen student-athletes may be given scholarship aid.

• In Division I women’s basketball, a limit of 15 student-athletes may be given in scholarship aid.

• In Division I women’s tennis, only eight student-athletes may receive aid.

• In Division I women’s volleyball, only twelve student-athletes may receive aid.

Sources: NCAA Division II Manual, NCAA Division I Manual, North Central Conference Manual.

A message from Keith Mahlum

Opportunity’s knocking...

Q

uality and consistency have been cornerstones of Jackrabbit Athletics for over 100 years. Since I’ve been at State, I’ve read publications, traveled to campus-related activities, attended home athletic events or other universityrelated functions and two things come into focus every time: the long-standing quality of our student-athletes and the passionate and pride-filled support for athletics demonstrated by the graduates and friends of our university . . . what a powerful combination. For over 100 years these two groups have taken on challenges and shared success together.

This outstanding partnership started in 1889 with our first athletic contest and there is no end in sight.

The academic success and level of athletic achievement of Jackrabbit student-athletes has been well chronicled over the years. Our letter-winner list is filled with individuals who excelled in Jackrabbit uniforms and more importantly long after they left campus. That “Tradition of Excellence” is the quality I was referring to.

Our staff and student-athletes witness your passion and pride firsthand year-round. Whether we attend summer alumni events, Dakotafest or Jackrabbit athletic contests, we are able to see, hear and feel what it means to you to be a Jackrabbit.

For generations your families have cheered for and supported our program from South Dakota and around the world in all ways imaginable and it has made a tremendous impact. Your consistency has be an overwhelming catalyst for the growth and success of our department.

Our student-athletes, coaches and staff are now gearing up for more exciting challenges as we successfully transition to Division I. We know that all challenges bring opportunity—Division I is no exception. We will soon have the opportunity to offer more scholarships to student-athletes, compete against the best competition and provide educational and competitive experiences for our teams that will enrich their lives forever.

As Jackrabbit fans, new opportunities will be extended to you, too. You will be able to participate in and assist us as we enter a new era of Jackrabbit excellence. Our future athletic schedules and conference affiliations will change, but our priorities will not. We will continue to focus on academic achievement, competitive success, social responsibility and creating memorable experiences for our student-athletes.

We deeply appreciate our partnership and look forward to strengthening it in the future. Thank you for your continued passionate support and GO JACKS!

Keith Mahlum SDSU Assistant to Athletic Director-External Affairs/ Major Gifts Officer

P a s s i o n a t e .

R e l e n t l e s s .

C h a m p i o n s .

Please join us for South Dakota State University’s 24th Annual

Stan Marshall Scholarship Auction and Golf Classic presented by

Scholarship Auction June 4, 2004 • Swiftel Center (formerly the Multiplex) 6:00 p.m. Social and Silent Auction 8:00 p.m. Live Auction

Golf Classic June 5, 2004 • Brookings Country Club • 8:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. Shotgun Starts for more information call: 1-866-GOJACKS.

P a s s i o n a t e .

South Dakota State University Athletics Department Box 2820 Brookings, SD 57007-1497

R e l e n t l e s s .

C h a m p i o n s .

NON-PROFIT US POSTAGE PAID BROOKINGS SD PERMIT 24