2009 Winter Rabbit Tracks

SOUTH DAKOTA STATE UNIVERSITY

RABBIT TRACKS VOLUME 14 NO. 1 \ WINTER 2009

WOMEN’S ATHLETICS FROM INTRAMURALS TO TITLE IX

ABOVE: Dana, LaDawn, Alana and Dan Dykhouse attended the September 13, 2008, groundbreaking for the Dykhouse Student-Athlete Center just north of Coughlin-Alumni Stadium. The training, academic, and office complex is slated for completion in August.

SOUTH DAKOTA STATE UNIVERSITY Athletics Department Box 2820 Brookings, SD 57007-1497

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

NON-PROFIT US POSTAGE PAID BROOKINGS SD PERMIT 24

Hats off to Dr. Fred Oien

Contributions of Jackrabbit family goes full circle

After serving SDSU for nearly three decades, Fred Oien has announced his retirement as director of athletics.

His legacy will go down as the individual who helped spearhead the movement from Division II to Division I. Under his watch, the Jackrabbits achieved many remarkable things and have given Jackrabbit fans a reason to walk tall and hold their heads high.

He will be remembered as one of the great athletics directors of SDSU and will be likened with the names of Stan Marshall, Jack Frost, Harry Forsyth, and the other great visionaries that set the groundwork for today’s success stories.

Perhaps one question remains: What was Dr. Oien’s number one accomplishment in his tenure at the SDSU? Debating his best accomplishment is like choosing your favorite flavor of SDSU ice cream—nearly impossible to choose and with seemingly endless great options.

Some may argue that Dr. Oien’s most coveted accomplishment would be the 2,500-plus victories that the athletic teams chalked up under the direction of the coaches he hired.

Staff members may argue that his smile while walking down the hallways of the HPER Center is what was most special.

Long-time fans might treasure the ten North Central Conference all-sport titles.

Jackrabbit newbie’s might hold dearest in their hearts the recent NCAA postseason appearances by the volleyball and soccer teams.

How about the nineteen NCAA postgraduate scholarship recipients or the thirty-three CoSIDA Academic All-America recipients?

The numerous academic awards—including the women’s basketball team’s three straight national team titles for grade point average?

Title IX proponents may argue that reinstating women’s golf or women’s tennis was Dr. Oien’s most significant feat.

How about adding women’s soccer in 2000 or adding women’s equestrian in 2004?

One could say the facilities upgrades had the largest impact or tripling scholarship offerings for women’s athletics would rank amongst the best. Okay, you get the point.

The list of achievements goes on and on, but possibly most notable is the fact that Oien maintained that all focus must remain on the student-athletes and that SDSU athletics remain a premier studentcentered collegiate athletic program.

He has served many roles for SDSU, including golf coach, associate professor, research coordinator, ticket manager, business manager, department head of physical education, and ringleader of the entire athletics show. His commitment to the University runs deep, and his impact will be felt by all future Jackrabbits.

His stories are endless and his mind serves as a vault of Jackrabbit knowledge. Not surprisingly, his stories all circle back to common themes that are recognized by those that have worked under him and

by Jackrabbit fans far and wide.

Oien stressed the importance of sportsmanship, honesty, equity, academic integrity, fiscal integrity, social responsibility, and what it means to wear the yellow and blue. He preached that student-athletes should be passionate; that they should be relentless; and that they should be champions.

One of the truest Jackrabbits and a special piece of history, we salute you, Dr. Oien. Congratulations and best wishes!

Go Big. Go Blue. Go Jacks.

It’s often said that what goes around, comes around. I must say it’s both fun and rewarding to witness firsthand how generosity exudes within the Jackrabbit family.

The first people that naturally come to mind when we talk about giving are those members of the Jackrabbit Club that go above and beyond their personal lives to donate finances in some shape or form to help SDSU athletics.

SDSU’s leadership uses these resources in their mission to give student-athletes the best possible experience—both on and off the field of competition—and to develop individuals into lifelong champions—to be PASSIONATE; to be RELENTLESS; to be CHAMPIONS. The munificence and commitment of those donors to the University allow SDSU to compete amongst the nation’s greatest—academically, athletically, socially, in research, and in creating tomorrow’s leaders. The young men and women who benefit from donor generosity are some of the brightest and best student-athletes that exist, and we’re proud to call them Jackrabbits.

In addition to those that are gracious enough to give financially, we are also blessed to have individuals that commit their lives to the betterment of the University.

Ranging from professors to the Board of Regents and from alumni to undergrads, SDSU is lucky to have advocates that fit the Midwest stereotype. Y’all know ’em . . . those people that possess a never-quit work ethic, that go above and beyond, that do the little things for others, the genuine individuals that do the right things for the right reasons.

As an employee of the University, it’s pretty special that SDSU is one of those “right reasons.”

It’s a place where high morals are expected, an avenue by which lifelong friends are made, a University with big promise and a bold vision, and a place you can call your own. We thank you— the best fans around—for your support of the University.

As the giving snowballs, we can see things come full circle as our student-athletes pour their hearts into your program. Going the extra mile and shedding blood, sweat, and tears while wearing a Jackrabbit uniform is something that we can all admire.

More impressively, however, is that the buck doesn’t stop there. The giving these young men and women do outside of athletic competition and the commitment they make to others is what really makes them champions.

Volunteering for Special Olympics, visiting area retirees or elementary students, working for the children’s hospital, helping to serve a warm meal to those in need, and numerous other acts of kindness are all everyday occurrences and serve as a way for Jackrabbit students to give back.

To have such selfless and kind-hearted student-athletes is truly a blessing.

It becomes clear that the Jackrabbit family helps to make our world go round. Thanks kindly for both the “go-arounds” and the “come-arounds.” You make it a great day to be a Jackrabbit.

SDSU ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT STAFF

Go Big. Go Blue. Go Jacks.

arkBuges M

ASSOCIATE ATHLETIC DIRECTOR FOR EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

SOUTH DAKOTA STATE UNIVERSITY

RABBIT TRACKS VOLUME 14 NO. 1 \ WINTER 2009

2

TRANSFORMED BY A LAW

Title IX’s original purpose was to bring gender equity to education, but its most visible impact was in athletics.

5

GRADUALLY DEVELOPING

Today’s high-flying women’s programs can trace their beginnings to pioneers like Nellie Kendall, Ruth Marske, Norma Boetel, and Nancy Neiber.

8

ANGNER’S ARM

Mackenzie Angner, or “Ohio,” as she is known to her teammates, pounded her way into the Jackrabbit volleyball record book.

4

10 A ROCK SOLID YOUNG MAN Quarterback Ryan Berry set nine school records this season but the real story has more to do with Carson, Caitlin, character, and the Waldorf-Astoria.

WOMEN’S ATHLETICS

13 WALK-ON ELEVATED

Remained as intramurals for decades until Title IX

Mackenzie Casey has moved from walk-on to a scholarship player, but he continues in his position of role model.

14 TEAM ROOMS Off-the-court accommodations for men’s and women’s programs have become more comfortable with team and locker room improvements.

16 BIDDING GOOD-BYE TO BOO

16

8 coming in the spring issue

Rabbit Tracks continues its look at women’s athletics with a sport-by-sport review of each program’s highlights.

To contribute, contact Dave Graves, (605) 688-4538, or dave.graves@sdstate.edu.

SDSU’s first full-time athletic trainer, Jim Booher, will retire in May after forty-two years, and he leaves as one of the most respected men in the business.

18 DRIVING TO A NEW LEVEL The scores have dropped, the scholarships have risen, and the men’s golf team is finding new-found respect.

20 TOURNAMENT IN SIOUX FALLS SDSU PRESIDENT David L. Chicoine INTERIM ATHLETIC DIRECTOR Mylo Hellickson SPORTS INFORMATION DIRECTOR Jason Hove SDSU SPORTS INFORMATION ASSISTANT DIRECTOR Ryan Sweeter ASSOCIATE AD/EXTERNAL AFFAIRS Mark Burgers EDITOR Andrea Kieckhefer, University Relations CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Dave Graves, Kyle Johnson, Dan Genzler, University Relations DESIGNER Nina Schmidt PHOTOGRAPHER Eric Landwehr, University Relations

Athletic Department South Dakota State University Box 2820, Brookings, SD 57007 Telephone: 1-866-GOJACKS Fax: 605/688-5999 Web site: www.gojacks.com 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.

2150 copies printed by the SDSU Athletic Department at no cost to the State of South Dakota. PE069 2/09

March Madness comes alive with men’s and women’s Summit League basketball tournaments March 7-10.

ON THE COVER The contrast between today’s vibrant color photography and the black-and-white tones of yesterday couldn’t be greater than that of women’s athletics before Title IX and that of the modern era.

WOMEN’S ATHLETICS SINCE TITLE IX

TRANSFORMED

BY A LAW Women’s athletics remained as intramurals for decades until Title IX

G

rabbing the SDSU yearbook for 1973, a year after President Richard Nixon signed into law Title IX, one can find pictures of a diver, a gymnast, and cheerleaders with plaid outfits and long hair.

But a year later, women’s athletics merited eight pages and the distaff of SDSU athletics was making footprints in the marathon march

women’s athletic program when she created the Women’s Athletic Association in 1924. A two-year P.E. requirement preceded that.

The 1921 yearbook showed a picture of the girls basketball team.

The nine coeds were wearing black dresses that covered the knees, white sailor blouses, and leather dress shoes.

FROM LEFT: Miss Nellie Kendall, women’s P.E. teacher from 1914 to 1958; charter members of the Women’s Athletic Association, 1924; Marcia Taylor, left, and Myra Jean (Scholten) Tobin, seniors on the 1975 field hockey team

to equality. Women’s athletics had been a part of State for decades, but to say that the University had an athletic program for women would be like saying the Wright brothers had an airline company.

What was considered women’s athletics in the era of the Model T bares as much resemblance to today’s program as Henry Ford’s creation resembles today’s computer-enhanced, comfort-oriented vehicles.

Miss Nellie Kendall, who taught women’s physical education at South Dakota State from 1914 to 1958, planted the first seed for a

The Women’s Athletic Association, launched during Hobo Week 1924, sponsored a laundry list of activities that drew participation at an intramural level. The yearbook mentioned “new” sports such as volleyball, field hockey, roller-skating, and ice skating as well as traditional activities such as basketball, tennis, and hiking.

By 1929, the activities had expanded to include baseball, track, archery, and rifle teams.

WOMEN’S ATHLETICS A NATIONAL LOOK 1922 Women in sports discussed at NCAA’s annual convention

2

RABBIT TRACKS

1971 The Association for Intercollegiate Athletics for Women is established with 280 member institutions.

1972 Title IX passes.

1973 NCAA rescinds its rule prohibiting female athletes from competing in NCAA championships. A diver from Wayne State (MI) becomes the first female to compete.

WOMEN’S ATHLETICS SINCE TITLE IX Miss Kendall kept the program active through the Depression years and World War II. In fact, in 1940 there was an intercollegiate women’s golf team. The Women’s Athletic Association’s most popular programs were golf and tennis with archery drawing a large following among the sophomores, the yearbook reports.

Little changes through the years But largely, the women’s athletic program of 1924 wasn’t much different than the program of 1963.

Things began to change in the mid-1960s. Records of the first volleyball matches and women’s basketball games date to 1966.

A field hockey and a gymnastics program also were being established. The first women’s partial athletic scholarship was given to Lavone (Opitz) Nelson, a hurdler from Redfield in the mid 1970s.

It is Title IX that can get the credit for that.

Title IX’s purpose Title IX, a federal law prohibiting gender discrimination in education, was written to address such issues as Luci Baines Johnson, the daughter of President Lyndon Johnson, being refused readmission to Georgetown University’s school of nursing after her marriage: in 1966, the school didn’t permit married women to be students.

LEFT: Lavone (Opitz) Nelson, a freshman in spring 1975, practices her speciality, the 400-meter hurdles. She was the first SDSU woman to receive an athletic scholarship. ABOVE: 1978 Sprint relay team members from left, senior Lunette Birrenkott, junior Rose Warne, and freshmen Carrie (Fogelman) Bills and Denise (Peterson) Aamlid.

“SOUTH DAKOTA STATE WAS AHEAD OF EVERYBODY IN WOMEN’S SPORTS AND PHYSICAL EDUCATION.” RETIRED ATHLETIC DIRECTOR HARRY FORSYTHE

1974 The NCAA is unsuccessful in its support of an amendment that would have excluded athletics from Title IX legislation.

Nowhere does the act mention athletics. However, as the rules for the act were written by the Department of Health, Education and Welfare, athletic activities were deemed to be part of the educational experience.

As retired Sports Information Director Ron Lenz says, athletics “quickly became the visible part of Title IX.”

1976 The NCAA sues the US Department of Health, Education and Welfare for the agency’s venture into intercollegiate athletics. In 1978 the court rules that the NCAA doesn’t have legal standing to sue.

1980 Women’s athletics budgets have grown from 1 to 16 percent of men’s budgets.

AIAW had grown to 971 institutions with forty-one national championships in nineteen sports and a four-year contract with NBC. WINTER 2009

3

WOMEN’S ATHLETICS SINCE TITLE IX Before Title IX there was AIAW The 1972 act fueled an explosion in women’s athletics that was already developing under the Association for Intercollegiate Athletics for Women.

SDSU was among the 280 institutions that joined the AIAW, as it was better known, when the women-run organization was founded in 1971. Retired Athletic Director Harry Forsyth was an assistant to Athletic Director Stan Marshall during this era that paralleled the women’s rights movement.

Forsyth recalls going to AIAW meetings in which he and Marshall were two of the five men attending among 250 women.

“South Dakota State was ahead of everybody in women’s sports and physical education. When [coach and athletic director] Jack Frost came in 1947, men and women were together [in the physical education department] and we’ve been together in everything since,” Forsyth says.

universities were more committed to the status quo. In states like Minnesota, where separate women’s programs developed, arguing and administrative hassles grew behind the walls of separation.

An issue that wasn’t going away But the Department of Housing, Education and Welfare continued to advance Title IX as the law of the land.

“I’ll never forget,” Forsyth says in introducing another recollection.

A female bureaucrat from Washington, D.C., spoke at a meeting in Omaha, Nebraska, to explain the ramifications of Title IX. The last question from the audience was “‘How are we going to pay for it?’

‘That’s your problem,’” Forsyth remembers her saying.

Not everyone thought Title IX would truly become an issue.

Among those attending the Omaha meeting was an athletic representative from Nebraska. “After the meeting, he said, ‘Title IX

FROM LEFT: Coach Ruth Marske with the 1972 basketball team; SDSU flight winners in the 1975 state tournament are, from left, Mary Vickery, Pat Beschta, Cheryl Williams, and Dawn Johnson; a 1968 gymnast.

“Because we were a combined department and because they [the AIAW] had their own rules and regulations, we had to know what was going on,” Forsyth says in explanation of his gender-breaking trips to the AIAW conventions to places such as Orlando and Atlanta.

To give an idea of how committed Forsyth and Marshall were to keeping abreast of the women’s movement, they also joined the feminist National Organization of Women and attended some of its meetings.

Not every school shared that commitment to women’s athletics.

The NCAA fought Title IX rules in court. Some of the bigger

is like the bugle in the Army. Just ignore it and it will go away,’” Forsyth recalls.

The coach couldn’t have been more wrong.

The Title IX bugle played taps on the old way of running a college sports program. Gradually, the bugle announced equality in scholarships, facilities, travel opportunities, and participation levels. The development of cable sports channels put a megaphone on the Title IX bugle.

Now, women athletes put on a show that attracts a fan base built by skill and seeds planted by people like Miss Nellie Kendall.

DAVE GRAVES

1981-82 NCAA holds women’s championships in five sports at the Division II and III levels.

4

RABBIT TRACKS

1981 After failing by one vote initially, the NCAA votes to hold national championships in Division I.

1982 The Association for Intercollegiate Athletics for Women folds and unsuccessfully sues the NCAA on antitrust grounds.

1988 Congress passes the Civil Rights Restoration Act, which includes a provision requiring Title IX compliance for any school receiving direct or indirect federal aid. Consequently, the NCAA and member schools rethink the impact of Title IX.

WOMEN’S ATHLETICS SINCE TITLE IX

GRADUALLY DEVELOPING Even before Title IX, the picture of women’s sports was changing

A

aron Johnston undoubtedly will find his image on a Jackrabbit Athletic Hall of Fame plaque some day after he retires. But the coach of the 2003 Division II national champs and the currently nationally ranked Division I

Boetel, who now runs an insurance agency in Bozeman, Montana, saw firsthand the development of women’s sports.

Women’s Athletic Association, Play Days When she earned her bachelor’s degree in physical education in 1956, State had an intramural program organized by the Women’s Athletic Association instructor, which Nellie Kendall directed. “In the fall

LEFT: Freshmen basketball players with State’s Women’s Athletic Association in 1924. ABOVE: The 1971 volleyball team with coach Sue Yeager.

women’s basketball team doesn’t hold the mark for best winning percentage in the school’s history. In fact, he’s in third place behind pioneers Norma Boetel and Ruth Marske.

Boetel had a 35-1 record in her first four seasons (1966-70) before heading to graduate school in North Carolina.

Marske, who coached virtually every women’s sport during her years at State, compiled a two-year mark of 32-4 (.888 winning percentage).

Boetel came back for three more seasons (1972-73, 1974-75, 1975-76). Both the wins and losses increased in her second stint (45-17), but her teams won two state titles in AIAW (Association for Intercollegiate Activities for Women) play and she finished with an .816 career winning percentage.

we played volleyball or soccer once a week” for a couple hours in the evening, Boetel says.

In the winter, the sport was basketball.

While participation was high, the thought of playing other schools was unheard of.

After teaching high school physical education for several years, Boetel returned to State and earned her master’s degree in 1965. A women’s athletic program was just beginning to peck out of the shell.

“We had play days. We may have gone to Madison, which was then General Beadle College, or the University [of South Dakota] or Northern [State] and had what we called play days,” says Boetel, adding, “Sometimes rather than playing teams from another school, we would choose up teams on the spot.” Play days were about once a quarter and involved a variety of sports.

WINTER 2009

5

WOMEN’S ATHLETICS SINCE TITLE IX Ruth Rehn, a 1966 graduate, says, “Afterwards, you would often gather for refreshments, mingle, and get together with other athletes.”

While tea and crumpets may seem like a far cry from the Powerade and fist pounds of today’s athletes, players of both eras found satisfaction in the participation and the opportunity. “We were thrilled we could do an event such as that,” says Rehn, of Pierre.

Intercollegiate games begin When State did begin to field intercollegiate women’s teams, the schedules were meager. The volleyball team had seven matches in 1966 and the basketball team had six games in 1966-67, the first year for both sports. But both teams won every game.

“South Dakota State was ahead of the curve,” says Nancy Neiber, who made a

school sport experience was throwing shot, discus, and the softball at Brookings High School.

That was not an era when women were recruited for athletics.

Holzkamp simply went to State out of convenience.

But when she got here, Holzkamp jumped into athletics like a teenager at an all-you-can-eat pizza buffet. She played field hockey, basketball (her last three years), softball, and track and field while majoring in physical education.

ABOVE: Members of the first SDSU women’s cross country team in 1975 with Assistant Coach Mack Butler, left, and Jay Dirksen. RIGHT: Archery class members from May 20, 1950.

name for SDSU women’s basketball during her tenure as coach from 1984 to 2000, and then spent seven years as women’s sports administrator before retiring June 30, 2007.

“In the state of South Dakota, South Dakota State, due to Ruth Marske and Norma Boetel rallying the cry to give women the opportunity to play, was ahead of the other schools. The least of their [Marske and Boetel] worries were food and lodging and scholarships.

“That wasn’t even in the picture. It was just the opportunity to play,” says Neiber, who never had a chance to play high school or college sports.

Taking full advantage “It was such a thrill to be able to compete once we got to the college level because [most girls] had never got that opportunity” before college, says Jean Holzkamp, a 1974 State graduate whose only high

6

RABBIT TRACKS

“I loved every minute of it because we never got the competition in high school,” says Holzkamp, who is a teacher in Kadoka.

‘Thankful for opportunity’ Most of her career was played before Title IX took effect. “It was never equal at that time,” she says. “We were lucky if we had the vehicles to get to the games. I don’t ever remember taking a bus to anything.

We never had big meals or anything like that. We took school vans or sometimes drove personal vehicles.”

So did she feel cheated?

“I don’t think so. I was just thankful for the opportunity to compete. I had never had the opportunity in high school and nobody else did either,” Holzkamp says.

WOMEN’S ATHLETICS SINCE TITLE IX Her first year of basketball (1971-72), the team won the regional AIAW tournament and qualified for the national tournament in Springfield, Illinois. “First time I had ever flown. It was the first time a lot of them had ever flown,” Holzkamp says. They flew from Sioux Falls to Chicago and then to Springfield.

The team may have traveled like royalty, but they knew they were more like Cinderella.

“We never had home and away uniforms. In fact, we wore the same uniforms for basketball and volleyball,” Holzkamp says. Their warm-ups “IT WAS SUCH A THRILL TO BE ABLE TO COMPETE ONCE WE GOT TO THE COLLEGE LEVEL BECAUSE [MOST GIRLS] HADN’T HAD THE OPPORTUNITY” BEFORE COLLEGE. JEAN HOLZKAMP, A 1974 STATE GRADUATE

semester 1973, she was a junior taking Athletic Trainer Jim Booher’s prevention and care of athletic injuries class. Booher asked her if she would become a student athletic trainer.

Courtney quickly accepted and she became the first female athletic trainer.

This was before SDSU had its athletic training program, so most of her instruction was from Booher in the training room, but Courtney, now at Northern State University, says she generally felt accepted by athletes and coaches.

Men’s basketball Coach [Jim] Marking wasn’t real sure at first. He would come in and watch me tape. When he became more confident, he left me on my own,” says Courtney, who notes that Marking also made her the team barber, sending some of the players in for a haircut.

“Coach Marking just thought their hair was a little too long,” so equipped with scissors and an electric hair trimmer Courtney added grooming to her training room skills.

FROM LEFT: A girls rifle team was formed in 1923 and it won eight of nine matches; bowling in a 1956 P.E. class; the 1979 Aqua Bunnies pose for a publicity shot in advance of their March show “Fantasy.”

were plain cotton sweat pants. With only the Barn available for practice, the women had to take a back seat to the men for practice time.

She went on to coach sixteen years at Kadoka. “I do tell the kids, they don’t know how fortunate they are,” Holzkamp says.

Opportunities grow with facilities Of course, she thought she was pretty fortunate too, especially when Frost Arena opened up in February 1973. “The facilities were so much greater with the gymnasts and wrestlers having their own place. We even kind of had a locker room [even though it may have been small].

“At that time, we were thankful to get anything we got. We took back doors into the training room, but we still had adequate coverage,” Holzkamp says.

A pioneer in the training room One of those providing coverage was Kathie (Demery) Courtney, who was selected as an SDSU Distinguished Alumnus in 2005. In spring

‘I felt I could do anything’ That summer Courtney remembers working at a high school boys basketball camp sponsored by the Milwaukee Bucks.

“A Bucks player came into the training room and said, ‘I want to see the man.’ I said, ‘The man isn’t here, but I am. Can I help you?’

Finally, he let me examine him. He had a problem with his toe. I gave him an exam and told him what he needed to do.

“Before the player had left, Jim [Booher] came back from lunch, gave him an exam, told him almost exactly what I had told him. That was good for me. It reaffirmed me, and it was good for that guy to hear it,” Courtney says.

But she acknowledges that reaffirmation wasn’t a great need in her life.

“I had more confidence than any sane person should have. I felt I could do anything,” Courtney shares.

DAVE GRAVES

WINTER 2009

7

“ONE OF THE GREATEST FEELINGS IN THE WORLD IS GETTING THE GAME WINNING KILL OR BLOCK AND THE ADRENALINE RUSH YOU GET WHEN YOU HIT OR BLOCK THE BALL STRAIGHT DOWN.” MACKENZIE ANGNER

Angner’s arm does the talking for Jacks Volleyball

T

he ball usually came Ohio’s way and the end result was devastating for opponents. The right arm of Mackenzie “Ohio” Angner, a sixfoot senior from Cincinnati, was a busy weapon for the SDSU volleyball team during 2008 and the numbers were impressive.

The outside hitter finished with an incredible 1,423 attacks in only ninety-nine

8

RABBIT TRACKS

sets. What’s more, she tallied 504 kills—the third most in Summit League history and nearly 200 more than anybody else in the conference in 2008. In addition, her 5.09 kills per set was the second-best ratio in NCAA Division I this past season.

Must make for one tired arm? “It does get tired,” admits Angner, whose Ohio monogram became necessary to distinguish

herself from former teammate Mackenzie Osadchuk. “I have an impingement syndrome along with bursitis.”

Angner, an all-conference and all-academic recipient, was the go-to player for a young Jacks’ team. She was the only member of the defending Summit League champions with more than twenty career kills, and in fact, the only returning offensive senior period. The team’s two other seniors were defensive specialists.

The Jacks, who advanced to the NCAA Division I Tournament a year ago losing to Nebraska in the first round, matured as the season progressed, finishing 10-17 overall and 8-8 in the conference—a respectable showing considering a 1-12 start against a tough nonconference schedule. They came within one win of returning to the four-team conference tournament.

“We had a great race for fourth place and just two important matches kept us out,” says Angner. “We were doing great competingwise and I’m so proud how the team, especially the underclassmen, came together.”

Overcoming determined foes Angner evolved herself as a player and in the process became the standout she is today. She was taught during precollege days to simply “bang away” when faced with two and sometimes three opposing players jumping to block her shot.

“When you’re double and triple blocked you can’t always do that so I had to learn to tip, roll, and tool the shot,” she explains.

“I became more of a well-rounded player because of it as opposed to a onedimensional player.”

Indeed, and Angner added shots to her arsenal in other ways, including a deadly

back-row attack, and surprisingly she also led the Jacks in digs with 3.62 per set.

Ultimately, being given the ball on practically every offensive series made for some interesting accolades from opposing coaches.

“The other coaches know me and I’d say to them, ‘hey, thanks for putting the double block and triple block on me,’” she says.

“They would say ‘all we did was try and stop you!’ Well, that’s a nice compliment and very frustrating at the same time. It makes it more difficult, but it also makes me a better player, too.”

With a twenty-six-inch vertical jump, Angner was an intimidating presence at the net, describing making a kill akin to having a natural high.

“One of the greatest feelings in the world is getting the game-winning kill or block and the adrenaline rush you get when you hit or block the ball straight down,” she says with a grin. “Those are the moments when you get so excited and jacked up.”

Unfortunately for Angner, those moments are gone. She remarks her collegiate career is

over just when her game is “peaking” at the right time.

“I want to continue,” she says. “The next step would be if I’m good enough to try out and play for the USA national team or a professional team overseas, but I haven’t finished my degree yet.”

Yes, Angner, who is majoring in biology, still has to hit the books and will not graduate until December 2009 or May 2010.

She has plans to be either an orthodontist or a physical therapist.

The attraction to State Angner’s journey to Jackrabbit land wasn’t a straight line. Originally pre-pharmacy, she sent out numerous e-mails to Division I schools, indicating she was interested in their university and was an outside hitter seeking a scholarship.

Accompanied by her parents, Dave and Victoria Angner, she went to Connecticut, Northwestern, Georgia, West Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and, of course, the home schools of Ohio State University and the University of Cincinnati.

She wasn’t finding the ideal situation because coaches wanted her to be a right side hitter when the outside position was her first choice. That all changed when she ventured to South Dakota.

“I came out to visit, and after being evaluated, they said I would be a great girl to have . . . and so, they offered me a scholarship and I accepted,” recalls Angner.

Scholarship and education opportunities aside, important intangibles were key factors in her decision to come to Brookings.

“It was my last recruiting visit, and I don’t know, there was something about it—the people, the atmosphere, and the fact that I had never been part of a small town,” says Angner. “It was all about something new, and exciting, and challenging. I have loved my time here.”

KYLE JOHNSON

THE MACKENZIE ANGNER FILE YEAR Senior MAJOR Biology HOMETOWN Cincinnati POSITION Outside hitter TOOLS 6-0, 26-inch vertical jump, strong right arm with a keen court sense She’s a killer: For the season, Angner had 504 kills—third most in Summit League history and nearly 200 more than anyone else in the conference. Her 5.04 kills per set ranked second nationally. She accounted for 42 percent of the team’s kills. Those kills were the product of 1,423 attacks, which represents 38 percent of the team total.

For her career, Angner finished with 1,171 kills, good for 12th place in the Jackrabbit record book and entry as the 13th player to make the 1,000-Kill Club. She set a career high with 31 kills against IUPUI (Indiana University/ Purdue University at Indianapolis) Oct. 11 in Brookings. Set a school record for a three-set match with 25 kills.

Other stats: Led the team in digs (3.62 per set, 358 in 99 sets), 66 blocks (third most on the team), and 15 sets. Twice had career highs of 27 digs in a match.

Honors: All-conference in the Summit League as well as October Female Athlete of the Month in the league. An all-academic selection in 2007 and 2008.

Nickname: Ohio. While playing in the Buckeye State, her summer clubs placed tenth nationally in 2004 and fifth in 2002. Her high school team won the 2003 state championship.

WINTER 2009

9

‘A rock solid young man’ Berry rewrites record book, redefines meaning of leadership

R

yan Berry took his son to the movies a lot last fall, even though Carson didn’t spend much time looking at the screen.

Like most three-year-olds, Carson was too busy playing to care about what was being projected, especially when it wasn’t Veggie Tales. While the films may not have captured Carson’s attention, Dad gave rapt attention to the game films being shown in the modular houses by Coughlin-Alumni Stadium.

Balancing the priorities of football, academics, and family life helped Berry attain unprecedented success, according to Coach John Stiegelmeier.

The senior quarterback led SDSU to a 7-5 season while setting nine records and earning an $18,000-postgraduate scholarship.

It was the kind of year that some people dream about; just not Berry. While he hoped to play at an all-conference level and improve his stats from his junior year, Berry’s specific goals were team goals—to win the conference title and compete in the playoffs.

“If you had asked me after high school, or even before this year having had experience, if I would be breaking records, I would have said, ‘No way,’” the 2004 Watertown High School graduate says.

A team-first leader The team goals he had dreamed of fell short with a third-place finish in the Missouri Valley Football Conference and only the top two teams were picked for the sixteen-team playoff field. But the individual accolades he received came from being a team-first quarterback, according to favorite receiver JaRon Harris.

He says that Berry’s team-first thinking was the greatest asset that the 6-3, 205-pound premed major brought to the field.

That attitude was exhibited as much when Berry wasn’t on the field as when he was.

During practices he could be found coaching the other quarterbacks when they made a wrong read or took the wrong steps, Harris says. Berry was a “caring leader. He wanted people to do the right thing,” Harris says.

A fitting finale The quarterback had a great opportunity to show his team-first attitude when he was

10

RABBIT TRACKS

injured against North Dakota State in the November 22 season finale.

Berry suffered a first-quarter concussion that kept him on the sidelines. “He was still encouraging everyone else. He didn’t get down on himself or anyone else,” Harris says.

And before the game was over, Berry was back on the field for what may have been his crowning performance.

Early in the fourth quarter, Berry’s replacement, Ryan Crawford, suffered a broken wrist.

With doctor’s permission, Berry reentered the game. The Bison led 21-17 and it soon grew to 24-17. On his second drive back in control, Berry engineered a sixty-eight-yard

drive that resulted in a one-yard TD pass to Harris and a game-winning two-point conversion pass with 2:20 left.

It was, as Coach Stiegelmeier calls it, “a storybook ending.”

“He was told at halftime that he couldn’t play anymore [because of the concussion].

He had 120 relatives in the stands because his roots are from North Dakota. The injury clears up, he’s able to go out, direct the touchdown drive, and make the extra-point pass. That’s a storybook ending. That was special,” the coach says.

With the 25-24 victory, SDSU maintained possession of the Dakota Marker trophy for which the two rivals compete.

Another proud performance It was the first time since 1963 that SDSU has beaten North Dakota State in consecutive seasons and is one of the accomplishments of which Berry is most proud. The other, he says, would be in the twenty-eight-point, second-half comeback at Stephen F. Austin September 27.

In that game, the home field Lumberjacks had built a 34-6 lead with eight minutes left in the third quarter.

In the next twenty-three minutes, Berry would lead SDSU to six touchdowns and a field goal in the 50-48 win. It was the biggest comeback in school and Missouri Valley Football Conference history, says Berry, who directed four consecutive TD drives to tie the score at 34.

SDSU had a chance to take the lead when Berry threw a potentially momentum-killing interception to end a sixty-six-yard drive.

Earning national honors Berry’s exciting efforts weren’t enough to gain him conference player-of-the-week honors.

That went to teammate Minett, who had three TDs. But Berry would bask in the local and national spotlight with his seven-touchdown performance November 8 versus Illinois State.

Berry needed only seventeen completions (on thirty attempts) to garner the seven scoring strikes.

That came on a cold, windy day at Coughlin-Alumni Stadium, where Berry only expected to throw ten to fifteen passes.

But with the running game hampered by injuries to the offensive line, SDSU came out throwing. Berry had three TDs in the first quarter, five in the first half, and didn’t play most of the fourth quarter.

The effort broke his own school record of five TD passes and earned him national player-of-the-week honors.

The best yet to come But SDSU immediately got the ball back and Berry produced a twenty-nine-yard, go-ahead touchdown that only reignited the thriller.

Stephen F. Austin tied the game by returning the kickoff for a touchdown. Berry then directed a thirty-seven-yard drive resulting in a forty-two-yard field goal with 1:19 left to play.

But the lowly regarded Lumberjacks were playing the best game of their season.

SDSU’s 44-41 lead vanished when Stephen F. Austin went sixty yards in only five plays to take a 48-44 lead with just thirty-eight seconds to go. Plenty of time for Berry, who moved the Jacks fifty-six yards in five plays with Kyle Minett scoring from a yard out on the final play of the game.

In those seven scoring drives, Berry threw for 255 yards (nineteen for twenty-eight) and rushed for forty-eight yards on nine carries.

Not set back by adversity Of course, not everything Berry touched turned to gold. He threw thirteen interceptions in twelve games. Five of them were in one game, the season opener against Iowa State.

But how Berry handled adversity was one of his strengths, Coach Stiegelmeier says.

Recalling that game in Ames, Stiegelmeier says, “He came off the field [after an interception] and every time he told me it was going to be alright. He didn’t hang his head. He just knew he had to hang in there.

A lot of guys just can’t do that.”

Berry says, “I’m good at not letting bad things affect me.”

Throwing five interceptions in front of a crowd of 46,617 could have put a young man in a funk. But to Berry, “It seemed like such a fluke. I said I was just going to treat Continued on page 12

A FUTURE IN FOOTBALL? Ryan Berry isn’t done throwing passes to JaRon Harris.

The SDSU seniors are working out together this winter in the hopes of gaining interest from scouts from professional teams.

The 6-1, 200-pound Harris is considered an NFL prospect. Berry says the NFL would be a long shot for him, but he hopes to play in the Arena or Canadian football leagues.

“I might as well try it. This will probably be the last chance I will have to do it,” Berry says.

His future certainly doesn’t depend on it. The 3.89 premed major has been named to all-academic teams at the conference, region, and national levels. He plans to apply to chiropractic and medical schools as well as SDSU’s Accelerated Nursing option before he graduates in May. By then, Berry will know if he will be reading playbooks or textbooks.

THE RYAN BERRY FILE YEAR Senior MAJOR biology/pre-medicine, 3.89 GPA HOMETOWN Watertown FAMILY Wife – Caitlin, a member of the track and cross country team; Son – Carter, 4.

2008 Accomplishments • Finalist for the Draddy Award, the academic Heisman Award; • Recipient of an $18,000postgraduate scholarship through the National Football Foundation as a Draddy finalist; • All-academic selections by ESPN The Magazine for District VII and by the Missouri Valley Football Conference as well as the Football Championship Subdivision Athletic Directors Association Academic AllStar Team; • All-league first team selection; • Led league in passing yards, touchdown passes, and total offense; • Set SDSU single-season records for completions, attempts, and touchdown passes; • Set school and conference records with seven TDs in one game; • National player of the week following his seven-TD performance; • Threw at least one TD pass in each of the last eleven games of the season; • Set SDSU career marks for completions, attempts, passing yards, and touchdown passes.

DAVE GRAVES

WINTER 2009

11

it like a preseason game and not let it affect me. Fortunately, it didn’t affect me.”

Stiegelmeier calls that “calm leadership,” which produces dividends for teammates and coaches alike.

Confidence doesn’t yield to arrogance The coach saw an uncommon maturity in Berry when he recruited him at Watertown High School. The all-stater flashed brilliance in two starts as a redshirt freshman, including a record-tying five touchdown passes against Georgia Southern in his first career start.

Berry became a full-time starter as a junior and a record setter in his senior year.

As players become more successful, Stiegelmeier says “two things normally occur.

You become more and more confident. Not only can you make the plays, you believe you will make the plays.

“Secondly, some guys get arrogant. He never did. That’s a true sign of Ryan’s fiber; he’s just a rock solid young man.

“If you give a young man a chance, many times they will go far beyond what you estimate they will do. People say he overachieved. I don’t know if you ever overachieve. He just used all of his God-given ability in a humble, team-first way.”

HELLO NEW YORK

12

RABBIT TRACKS

“PEOPLE SAY HE OVERACHIEVED. I DON’T KNOW IF YOU EVER OVERACHIEVE. HE JUST USED ALL OF HIS GOD-GIVEN ABILITY IN A HUMBLE, TEAM-FIRST WAY.” COACH JOHN STIEGELMEIER ON RYAN BERRY Berry says his early success at State motivated him to give 100 percent in practice and in the weight room.

That same motivation and sense of priorities also produced a lot of father-son outings to the film trailer.

DAVE GRAVES

SDSU made a commitment to operating as a first-class organization during its journey into Division I athletics.

But senior Ryan Berry earned an extra treat when he went with Coach John Stiegelmeier and nine relatives to the Draddy award ceremony December 9 at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York City.

The Draddy Trophy is given to the top senior scholar-athlete in college football.

“I had to pinch myself to make sure I wasn’t dreaming,” Berry says afterwards.

He didn’t win the trophy and the additional $7,000 scholarship, but as one of fifteen finalists, he already earned an $18,000 scholarship. That evening Berry was rubbing shoulders with some of the game’s biggest names, including Lou Holtz, Troy Aikman, and Thurman Thomas.

“The whole trip was just surreal. I didn’t realize all the coaches that would be there.

Every major coach in America, hall of fame players, owners of professional sports teams. I didn’t know it was that big of a deal,” Berry says.

While the Heisman Trophy that was awarded four days later in New York City gets the big headlines, the Draddy recognizes an individual as the absolute

best in the country for his academic success, football performance, and exemplary community leadership.

‘He should have won’ While a center from California won the award, Stiegelmeier says Berry “didn’t take a back seat to anybody.”

Berry is a 3.89 premed major who set records at State, participated in reading programs at elementary schools, visited nursing homes and children’s hospitals, as well as volunteered at youth football clinics—all while balancing responsibilities as a parent and husband.

It is the first time SDSU has had a player as a finalist for the award, which is open to players in all divisions.

The field included Heisman Trophy hopefuls Chase Daniel and Graham Harrell as well as the quarterback from Division III Mount Union. But Stiegelmeier says all of them were in awe of the glitz, famous athletes, and first-class treatment.

“It just drew you to a different level. Being in awe was appropriate. Did he [Berry] feel out of place? Not a second. In my mind he should have won,” Stiegelmeier declares.

DAVE GRAVES

Fulfilling a dream Oglala Sioux member takes pride in earning scholarship

F

rom a walk-on to a scholarship player for the Jackrabbits men’s basketball team, Mackenzie Casey is living out his dream of playing Division I basketball.

Casey’s story is a shining example of hard work and perseverance.

After starting for three years at Red Cloud High School, Casey set his sights on playing Division I basketball despite the prospect that he would have to walk-on.

“When SDSU made the move (to Division I), I knew it was where I wanted and needed to be,” says Casey, a member of the Oglala Sioux Tribe from Wounded Knee.

He faced long odds of playing for the Jackrabbits. In most Division I programs, walk-ons, at best, fill out the second and third units. By staying focused and carrying a positive attitude, Casey earned the attention of Coach Scott Nagy as he increased his role on the men’s team.

In 2007, Nagy rewarded Casey with a scholarship. It was a move that surprised the 6-0 guard. “He was literally floored when we told him about the scholarship,” says Nagy. “He earned it because of his contributions and the energy and spirit that he brings to practice everyday.”

After he was notified about his change in scholarship status, Casey was presented with another character-building decision.

Nagy asked Casey to sit out the 2007-08 season in order to come back as the team’s senior leader in 2008-09.

Casey understands the importance of team. For him, camaraderie among teammates is as important as making a key free throw in the game’s final seconds. In a team sport, trust and bonding among teammates fosters the togetherness needed to deal with the grind of long road trips, academic pressures, and other challenges.

“It makes me proud that Coach Nagy trusts me and wants me as a leader on the team. I am truly honored by that,” says Casey, who has started nineteen games in his career at SDSU. Despite Nagy’s accolades, he doesn’t feel he has been as successful as he would like.

But the tireless senior guard isn’t about to take his foot off the pedal as the season and his career enter the final stretch.

He won’t lose focus as he did as a senior in high school, when his heavily favored Red Cloud team lost in the district finals to Pine Ridge. “From that loss, I learned that you have to stay aggressive. You can’t take things for granted,” adds Casey.

Casey has learned that everyone faces the prospect of measuring up to various personal challenges. When he was seven, his parents broke up. Trying to find an outlet, he took up basketball. His passion for the game has only intensified through the years.

THE MACKENZIE CASEY FILE HOMETOWN Wounded Knee POSITION Point Guard 2008-09 STATS 4.2 ppg. 1.8 apg.

1.5 rpg.

Career Highlights • Scored 21 points against Idaho in 2006; • Recorded seven assists vs. Wayne State (Michigan) on Dec. 29, 2004.

“HE WAS LITERALLY FLOORED WHEN WE TOLD HIM ABOUT THE SCHOLARSHIP.” HEAD COACH SCOTT NAGY Now the father to a two-year-old son, Riley, he has learned to balance the various responsibilities of his life. For that he credits his father, Tom, who raised three children on his own. “I can never thank him enough for what he has taught me,” says Casey.

As he contemplates a coaching career following graduation in May 2010, Casey also appreciates that he has become a role model for his family and to the community.

“I think no matter who you are, you influence somebody,” says Casey, who is majoring in sociology. “I don’t think a lot of Native Americans get the opportunity that I have had.

“I want kids from my home community to see they can reach their goals. I am trying to live a positive life and just trying to set a good example.”

DAN GENZLER

WINTER 2009

13

TEAM ROOMS bring “homey” feel to Frost Arena

R

achel Dahl understands the value that team rooms will serve in recruiting for Jackrabbit athletics. “These rooms will be incredibly valuable,” says Dahl, a Brookings native who has been part of the Jackrabbits’ highly successful volleyball program for the last four years.

“During my career, it always seemed like we (volleyball team) were always moving around to watch film or something else. This will make for a centralized location and a place we can call our home. It will make coming to Frost Arena more of a homey, comfortable place.”

Team rooms are part of the facilities development that is taking place in athletic programs around the country. To supplement locker room areas, athletic departments are adding team rooms for various purposes ranging from pregame and postgame meetings to film study as well as a space for hosting social activities if needed for recruiting or welcoming home alumni. More than that, these spaces, which will include both meeting and lounge areas, provide studentathletes a place to study and a location where they can bond.

As these areas are developed, they will be outfitted with couches, entertainment centers, wireless Internet, and more.

Construction of the team rooms began in late August. Space in the room previously utilized for Jackrabbit Acceleration and Rehab was designated for the women’s basketball and women’s volleyball team rooms. The large men’s locker room open area along with the previous men’s baseball locker room were selected as space for the new men’s basketball rooms and the men’s and women’s swimming and diving team were provided team room space in the new north wing addition on to the Stan Marshall Center. Four other teams are benefitting from all this construction as well. Both women’s soccer and softball now use the locker rooms previously occupied by volleyball and basketball while men’s swimming will now use the previous home for men’s basketball, and baseball will get the previous home for men’s swimming. All of these rooms are being upgraded as well.

Called “eye candy” by head men’s basketball coach Scott Nagy, the team rooms will provide a significant benefit for recruiting.

“Quite honestly, you can get film work done in a lot of ways. This shows our current student-athletes and those looking at our program that we have a university and athletic department that is supportive of the student-athletes,” says Nagy, who’s men’s basketball team room was completed January 9. “Let’s face it, recruiting is everything. It is very important as we try to sell the program to student-athletes that want to be here. It is important that they want to play for us.”

Associate Director of Athletics Rob Peterson points out that institutions have to meet certain expectations in order to be competitive at the Division I level. He said these team rooms add another benefit for students. From academic areas to athletic development, it all fits into the mission and vision of President David L. Chicoine.

“We want to be a top institution in the region. That means we want—we have—to do these things. The new Dykhouse Center and the Wellness Center are other examples,” Peterson says.

What seemed to be a dream years ago is taking shape due to strong administrative and alumni support. When the state of South Dakota did a Title IX review in 2003, SDSU had a goal of improving

14

RABBIT TRACKS

“THE NEW FACILITIES SERVE AS A PLACE TO EMBRACE THE HISTORY OF SDSU WOMEN’S BASKETBALL AND A PLACE TO MAKE NEW MEMORIES OF OUR OWN.” JENNIFER WARKENTHIEN, BASKETBALL PLAYER space for women’s athletics. Peterson says the vision of the Athletic Department was to enhance opportunities for women’s programs but as a result, both men and women student-athletes have benefitted.

“Our vision for developing the facilities was the right thing to do for our student-athletes and the right thing to do for the department and university,” Peterson says.

Jackrabbit coaches are appreciative of the development. Volleyball head coach Nanabah Allison-Brewer says perception is reality for recruits.

It is important, she says, that colleges show they mean what they say.

“We want to be one of the elite programs in the region. We want our program to be a program that student-athletes want to be part of. Therefore, these team rooms validate and confirm the notion that we are doing what we say in terms of building up the athletic

programs. It makes a difference in the eyes of the athletes and their families who come to campus.”

Increasing the comfort level of the student-athlete gives them increased confidence in what they are doing. It builds pride in the athletic programs and the school.

He loves what these rooms mean for his team. “For me, this development is about recruiting and retention,” says Johnston. “I think it says to our student-athletes that they are a priority. It will also play a role in attracting new recruits and keeping them here.”

Jackrabbit women’s basketball player Jennifer Warkenthien is excited about the future of the program. “We are appreciative of the new

FROM LEFT: Volleyball players, Rachel Dahl, Ashley Kathol, and Ellyce Youngren pose outside the squad’s team room; women’s basketball Coach Aaron Johnston reviews film with his team during a meeting in the squad’s new team room; the women’s swim team’s locker room.

“I feel the (team) room is more than just a place to hang out and do homework. It is a place that allows our team to connect in ways we never have before. I think the team room will be a place for both the men’s and women’s team to further their academic, social, and intellectual bonds,” says senior men’s swimming standout Cade Roberts.

Each of the programs is responsible for the fund-raising to furnish their respective rooms/areas. Some of the team rooms are nearing completion, including women’s basketball, while others are in the early/middle stages.

Ninth year women’s basketball coach Aaron Johnston noted that as the women’s program developed their team room, they did so with an appreciation of the history of Jackrabbit women’s basketball. The history of SDSU women’s basketball will be featured from the early pioneers of the program to the Division II national title run to the current top-25 ranking.

“I think when you talk about our success, it’s important to recognize former student-athletes and teams who have all played an important role. They are why we are experiencing success today,” says Johnston.

additions to our Jackrabbit home,” says Warkenthien, a senior from Willow Lake. “It’s great having a familiar place to meet as a team to watch film, relax, and study. The new facilities serve as a place to embrace the history of SDSU women’s basketball and a place to make new memories of our own,” she says.

Swimming and diving coach Brad Erickson reiterated the sense of bonding for the athletic teams. “These team rooms definitely build camaraderie. It gives student-athletes tremendous opportunities to bond.”

According to Peterson, the development of these facilities has a greater value.

“We know student-athletes are successful when they’re comfortable in the classroom and the field of play. It is important in that vein that we want to help them. We try to attract the best student-athletes so it is important for us to do what we can to make our programs, our facilities more attractive.”

DAN GENZLER

WINTER 2009

15

BIDDING GOOD-BYE TO BOO Long-time athletic trainer wrapping up 42-year career

Y

ou call him Boo if you’re his friend, otherwise it is Dr. Booher or Sir. In his forty-two years at SDSU, Jim Booher has not only been the presence in the athletic training room, he also has been a national presence in the athletic training field.

He has been elected to six halls of fame, including the National Athletic Trainers Hall of Fame (1998). But in May, SDSU’s first fulltime trainer will give his full time to retirement. “It’s just time,” says Booher, who will turn 66 in February.

For parts of five decades, Booher has shouldered the responsibility for restoring ailing Jackrabbits.

And during most of those years he also has been teaching others to follow him in the profession. To date, 300 students have graduated from the University’s athletic training program, which first began operating as a minor in 1977 and became a major in 1982.

‘Long-term positive impact’ Brad Pfeifle earned his undergraduate degree in athletic training in 1986 and followed that with a master’s degree in 1988.

He was one of the first to earn a graduate degree in athletic training from State and has gone on to become the director of sports medicine at the Orthopedic Institute in Sioux Falls. Pfeifle has known Booher from the time he was an intimidated 20-year-old to his present status as a respected peer.

“I talk to him at least weekly . . . . You have a few people in your life that have a long-term positive impact on how you live your life, and he’s been one,” Pfeifle says.

In addition to their telephone consulting, Pfeifle and Booher have attended national athletic training meetings together.

As the plaques began to accumulate on Booher’s walls, the man didn’t change. “No ego. He’s never shown any ego,” says Pfeifle.

Greatness before his eyes Ryan Brink, who works with Pfeifle at the Orthopedic Institute, earned his athletic training degree in 1997. His first experience with Booher came as a freshman football player. By the time he entered the athletic training program, Brink was like the kid playing dress up with grandma’s pearls. He didn’t know what a treasure he had.

“I had no idea what he was in the profession of athletic training.

Three of my classmates and I did a presentation at a regional conference. Students from another school said, ‘We use the textbook that your head athletic trainer wrote. What’s it like to learn from him?’ We thought, ‘It’s Boo.’

16

RABBIT TRACKS

“We didn’t quite understand the magnitude of him. When he started getting inducted into halls of fame, then you started to realize he was a pioneer in the field, no doubt about it,” Brink says.

Trainer no longer carried a whistle Booher came to SDSU in 1967 after completing a two-year postgraduate program from the Mayo Clinic School of Physical Therapy in Rochester, Minnesota.

He was the first person that SDSU had hired specifically as a trainer. Previous trainers (Pete Torino, 1963-67) and Jim Emmerich (1946-60) had been head coaches in their own sports (gymnastics and track and field, respectively) as well as assistant football coaches.

Most of their work as a trainer was with the football team, as it was for Booher when he arrived.

“The first year I was here we had thirty-six players in for football.

A few more came when school started, but I wasn’t that busy,” Booher recalls. He had plenty of time to work as a physical therapist at the Brookings Hospital, which he did on a 50/50 basis for several years.

The arrangement allowed the Athletic Department to budget a trainer who also wasn’t a coach, Booher explains.

Gradually, he spent less time at the hospital and eventually just became a consulting physical therapist. Now Booher is one of seven full-time trainers on an SDSU staff that include seven graduate student trainers and thirty-one student trainers covering twenty-one sports and teaching up to thirty-six students.

The academic experience Today, students can enter the program in their final two years of undergraduate education or as a graduate student.

Either way, only eighteen students are taken per year. The most time-consuming course in the sixty-four-credit major may be a onecredit class innocuously slugged “fall clinical experience.” What it means is virtually living with the football team during the preseason camp.

Brink, who played football for four years at State, gave up his final season to be a student trainer.

“If I would’ve played my fifth year of football, it would have required a sixth year of classes” because the fall clinical experience is, obviously, only available in the fall. “I didn’t want to wait and delay graduate school. I knew I wanted to move on and get my master’s,” Brink says.

Pressure no bother for Booher In leaving behind his gridiron buddies, he developed a working relationship with the man who adjusted his dislocated thumb four years earlier.

He recalls traveling to a football game with Booher against Northern Colorado. With the two of them assigned to more than fifty players, they had to work swiftly. But Brink says Booher “always maintains his calm demeanor. He’s always even keel.

“He doesn’t get frantic in a situation when someone is injured.

There’s no panic button.”

Pfeifle echoes that Booher is “unbelievably calm. He always has such a quiet confidence about what he does. He treated everybody with really great respect and exudes so much confidence in what he does. I try to emulate that. In the health-care business and the training room, those are things that get lost.

“He never treated the star running back any different than he did the fifth-team defensive back. You were an athlete whatever position you were.”

DAVE GRAVES ABOVE RIGHT: Jim Booher with his wife, Kathy, at their Lake Campbell home. In the background are Christmas wood carvings done by Booher.

THE BOOHER FILE AGE 65 HOMETOWN Ashland, Nebraska EDUCATION Nebraska Wesleyan, 1965; two-year certificate degree from Mayo Clinic School of Physical Therapy, Rochester, Minnesota, 1967; master’s degree in health, physical education and recreation, SDSU, 1969; doctorate in health science, University of Utah, 1976.

CAREER All forty-two years at SDSU as head athletic trainer; a professor since 1982.

FAMILY Wife – Kathy; children — Debra, stay-at-home mother in Lincoln, Nebraska; Jimmy, private consultant in Atlanta; and Jeffrey, physical therapist in Lincoln; four grandchildren HONORS Nebraska Wesleyan Hall of Fame (1980), the South Dakota Athletic Trainers Hall of Fame (1990), the Mid-America Athletic Trainers Association Hall of Fame (1996), the National Athletic Trainers Hall of Fame (1998), the South Dakota Amateur Softball Association Hall of Fame (2002), South Dakota Sports Hall of Fame (2008).

MISCELLANEOUS Son Jeffrey was a physical therapist and trainer for the Professional Golfers Association.

RETIREMENT PLANS To stay in Brookings, spending more time on the golf course, traveling, and working around the house.

BIGGER, STRONGER, FASTER COMES WITH A PRICE Today’s athletes, male and female, are bigger, stronger, and faster than they were in 1967, when Jim Booher began as athletic trainer at SDSU. But the challenge to produce peak athletic performance also makes athletes more susceptible to injuries, Booher says. “The overuse injuries we see today we weren’t seeing back then,” the hall of fame trainer says in an interview during his final year at State.

In the 1960s and ’70s, “most athletes were in-season athletes. They might work out some on their own, but there wasn’t this intense off-season training,” he recalls.

Booher isn’t critical of the increased training; the results speak for themselves.

But it does point to the need for better training room facilities.

In his early days, the training room featured a taping table, a whirlpool, cabinets, a counter, and a sink. Today, the square footage and equipment has grown and a rehab unit has been developed.

Rehab is the step between treating an injured athlete and getting him back to working out with the strength and conditioning coach.

SDSU’s rehab unit, located in a former racquetball room in the HPER Center, will be housed in the Dykhouse

Student-Athlete Center when it opens next fall. Treadmills, bicycles, theraband tubes, mini-tramps, and lifting machines are used to restore ailing athletes.

As a trainer, Booher says he has enjoyed the challenge of figuring out “what would work out best to get that athlete back into productivity.”

Then, “there’s no better feeling than standing on the football field Saturday afternoon when all the preparation is done and all the athletes are performing,” he adds.

DAVE GRAVES

WINTER 2009

17

DRIVING TO A NEW LEVEL Jacks look to take fall momentum into spring season

I

f the fall season is any indication, the SDSU men’s golf team has plenty to look forward to for the 2009 spring season. After not winning a tournament in their first four years of being a Division I program, the Jacks claimed three first-place finishes in five tournaments on their fall 2008 schedule.

Leading the charge were seniors Trent Peterson, Geoff Mead, Tim Kalil; and juniors Kyle Vandervoort and Justin Jenkins. Recording the scores with a smile on his face was Jared Baszler, elevated to full-time coaching status this season after serving as a part-time coach the previous five years.

18

RABBIT TRACKS

“We knew we had the talent to do this, but didn’t know it would go this well,” says Baszler, whose team topped the field at the Fairway Club Invitational in Lincoln, Nebraska; the Cleveland State Invitational in Avon, Ohio; and the Santa Clara Invitational in San Jose, California.

“We had the pieces . . . just had to put them together,” he adds.

“Thankfully, that’s what happened.”

SDSU takes its momentum into the spring schedule that culminates with The Summit League championships April 27-28 in Kansas City.

The Jacks are ranked among the top-100 teams in the nation, which is considered a “benchmark in college golf,” according to Baszler, whose team is listed eighty-sixth.

“JUST LIKE IN THE OTHER SPORTS, WE’RE GETTING A WAY DIFFERENT CALIBER OF STUDENT-ATHLETES THAN WE USED TO. THE TALENT LEVEL HAS GONE WAY UP.” HEAD GOLF COACH JARED BASZLER Seeking a national berth The conference champion automatically qualifies for the NCAA regional and from there it’s on to the NCAA Division I Tournament in Toledo, Ohio. If the Jacks win the league crown, “things are taken care of,” notes Baszler, who points to another possibility.

“If we can improve our ranking we have an opportunity to get an at-large berth in the NCAA regional,” he says. “The last team to get in last year was seventy-third so I feel we have a decent shot.”

Peterson likes the odds, too. A senior biology major from Eagan, Minnesota, he recorded four top-three finishes and was second three times during the fall campaign.

“My goal for every tournament is to shoot under par and help the team,” he says. “We are really looking forward to the conference tournament.

“We feel that we’re one of the top teams in the conference,” he adds. “We had a very successful fall, beating some of the best teams in the country.”

Peterson, who won the Minnesota State High School championship as a senior and was named a Cleveland All-America Scholar Athlete last year, is considering dental school after graduation in May. He has not missed playing in a tournament since arriving as a freshman.

“There aren’t a lot of people who get that opportunity in college golf,” points out Baszler, who worked for a software development company in Brookings until August 1 when he took full control of the golf program.

“When Trent came in he was far and away our best player. I knew he was going to play right away and has certainly been our mainstay ever since,” he adds.

Growing success story Having Baszler full time falls in line with a growing Jackrabbit golf program that is getting a nice return on a minimal investment.

Up until this year, 25 percent of one scholarship ($12,000) was divided up between ten team members. The program will increase to two scholarships next year, followed by two-and-one-half scholarships in two years. In three years, the program is projected to receive three-and-a-quarter scholarships.

As for the competition and perks? Well, they are in stark contrast from the Division II era, according to Baszler, who grew up in De Smet, attended Grinnell College in Grinnell, Iowa, and worked at the Brookings Country Club starting when he was sixteen, which led to his connection to SDSU. “Every facet of the competition, from tournaments to travel, isn’t comparable,” he says. “We used to drive to places. Now we fly and play against some of the best teams on the best courses the country has to offer.”

The same goes for the players, too, who get a big boost competing in American Junior Golf Association summer tournaments in high school. And, they enhance their skill level even more competing in amateur summer tournaments in college.

ABOVE AND LEFT: Trent Peterson, a senior from Eagan, Minnesota, practices his game at Edgebrook Golf Course in Brookings last fall. His consistent play and developing skills has helped raise the level of his teammates’ performance.

“Just like in the other sports, we are getting a way different caliber of student-athletes than we used to,” adds Baszler. “The talent level has gone way up.”

KYLE JOHNSON

WINTER 2009

19

SIOUX FALLS ARENA TO HOST SUMMIT LEAGUE TOURNAMENT Jacks set to showcase Division I basketball to state

H

istory comes to South Dakota in March and SDSU is leading the moment. NCAA Division I postseason action hits the state for the first time when Sioux Falls hosts the Summit League Basketball Tournament March 7-10 at the Sioux Falls Arena.

The event consists of fourteen games over four days with the men’s and women’s champions earning an automatic berth in the NCAA Tournament. The men’s final will be aired on ESPN2 and the women’s title game on ESPNU. “The people of Sioux Falls and the state of South Dakota are tremendously excited about the Summit League and the first Division I basketball tournament ever held in the state,” says Mike Sullivan, executive director of the Sioux Falls Sports Authority, which is cosponsoring the tournament with Sanford/First Premier Bank.

“We are looking forward to hosting the Summit League and the fine universities that make up the league,” he adds.

Tickets have been on sale since August 28 and so far about 2,500 all-session reserved tickets have been sold; that’s twice as many all-session reserved passes as were sold all together for last year’s tournament, which was held for the fourth year in a row in Tulsa, Oklahoma—home of fellow Summit League member Oral Roberts.

“Ticket sales are going very well,” says SDSU Assistant Athletic Director-Ticket Operations Christi Williams. “Having a Division I tournament is such a wonderful opportunity for our student-athletes, our fans, and the whole state of South Dakota. The people of Sioux Falls are doing an outstanding job in hosting a first-class tournament.”

Creating a connection to SDSU The Jackrabbits will be on somewhat familiar ground. They competed in the Arena many times as a North Central Conference school, although not recently. The men have played only one time there since leaving Division II, while the women haven’t seen action in the place since moving to Division I. However, being eligible to advance to the NCAA championships for the first time does mean history is in the making for both programs along with showcasing the excitement of Division I basketball to casual fans across the state.

“Hopefully, that type of fan will become more connected to SDSU and The Summit League,” says SDSU women’s coach Aaron Johnston. “Hosting the tournament in Sioux Falls will be a great sporting event for the entire state. Having our home fans pulling for the Jackrabbits will be a big advantage for the team.”

The fact the Jacks are getting their first crack at qualifying for the NCAA field is a “very big deal,” according to SDSU men’s coach Scott Nagy.

“The players know they are basically three home games away from being in the NCAA Tournament and that should provide them with a great deal of motivation,” he says. “It helps with recruiting, too, because potential recruits know this (tournament) is an advantage for us.

“It’s great for our fans to be able to watch high-level college basketball, not only our teams but all the teams from the league,” adds Nagy. “We couldn’t be more pleased that The Summit League has chosen Sioux Falls for the conference tournament.”

And, it’s not a one year deal either with Sioux Falls selected to host the 2010 tournament March 6-9.

Summit League Commissioner Tom Douple calls Sioux Falls “a huge college basketball area” that supports basketball at the NCAA Division I and II levels, and the NAIA. “There’s just a lot of interest in college basketball, men and women, in that region,” he says. “By bringing the tournament to Sioux Falls, we think we can create a regional event with a great deal of appeal.”

KYLE JOHNSON

tickets on sale 20

RABBIT TRACKS

All-session reserved tickets for the Summit League Basketball Tournament are $90 and $75 for general admission. Only a limited number of tickets remain available in the 6,300-seat building.

Single-game tickets are on sale now, according to Sioux Falls Arena officials. Reserved and general admission tickets for all sessions can be purchased at Ticketmaster outlets, Ticketmaster.com, and the Sioux Falls Arena Box Office. For ticket information call (605) 367-8460.

Hats off to Dr. Fred Oien

Contributions of Jackrabbit family goes full circle

After serving SDSU for nearly three decades, Fred Oien has announced his retirement as director of athletics.

His legacy will go down as the individual who helped spearhead the movement from Division II to Division I. Under his watch, the Jackrabbits achieved many remarkable things and have given Jackrabbit fans a reason to walk tall and hold their heads high.

He will be remembered as one of the great athletics directors of SDSU and will be likened with the names of Stan Marshall, Jack Frost, Harry Forsyth, and the other great visionaries that set the groundwork for today’s success stories.

Perhaps one question remains: What was Dr. Oien’s number one accomplishment in his tenure at the SDSU? Debating his best accomplishment is like choosing your favorite flavor of SDSU ice cream—nearly impossible to choose and with seemingly endless great options.

Some may argue that Dr. Oien’s most coveted accomplishment would be the 2,500-plus victories that the athletic teams chalked up under the direction of the coaches he hired.

Staff members may argue that his smile while walking down the hallways of the HPER Center is what was most special.

Long-time fans might treasure the ten North Central Conference all-sport titles.

Jackrabbit newbie’s might hold dearest in their hearts the recent NCAA postseason appearances by the volleyball and soccer teams.

How about the nineteen NCAA postgraduate scholarship recipients or the thirty-three CoSIDA Academic All-America recipients?

The numerous academic awards—including the women’s basketball team’s three straight national team titles for grade point average?

Title IX proponents may argue that reinstating women’s golf or women’s tennis was Dr. Oien’s most significant feat.

How about adding women’s soccer in 2000 or adding women’s equestrian in 2004?

One could say the facilities upgrades had the largest impact or tripling scholarship offerings for women’s athletics would rank amongst the best. Okay, you get the point.

The list of achievements goes on and on, but possibly most notable is the fact that Oien maintained that all focus must remain on the student-athletes and that SDSU athletics remain a premier studentcentered collegiate athletic program.

He has served many roles for SDSU, including golf coach, associate professor, research coordinator, ticket manager, business manager, department head of physical education, and ringleader of the entire athletics show. His commitment to the University runs deep, and his impact will be felt by all future Jackrabbits.

His stories are endless and his mind serves as a vault of Jackrabbit knowledge. Not surprisingly, his stories all circle back to common themes that are recognized by those that have worked under him and

by Jackrabbit fans far and wide.

Oien stressed the importance of sportsmanship, honesty, equity, academic integrity, fiscal integrity, social responsibility, and what it means to wear the yellow and blue. He preached that student-athletes should be passionate; that they should be relentless; and that they should be champions.

One of the truest Jackrabbits and a special piece of history, we salute you, Dr. Oien. Congratulations and best wishes!

Go Big. Go Blue. Go Jacks.

It’s often said that what goes around, comes around. I must say it’s both fun and rewarding to witness firsthand how generosity exudes within the Jackrabbit family.

The first people that naturally come to mind when we talk about giving are those members of the Jackrabbit Club that go above and beyond their personal lives to donate finances in some shape or form to help SDSU athletics.

SDSU’s leadership uses these resources in their mission to give student-athletes the best possible experience—both on and off the field of competition—and to develop individuals into lifelong champions—to be PASSIONATE; to be RELENTLESS; to be CHAMPIONS. The munificence and commitment of those donors to the University allow SDSU to compete amongst the nation’s greatest—academically, athletically, socially, in research, and in creating tomorrow’s leaders. The young men and women who benefit from donor generosity are some of the brightest and best student-athletes that exist, and we’re proud to call them Jackrabbits.

In addition to those that are gracious enough to give financially, we are also blessed to have individuals that commit their lives to the betterment of the University.

Ranging from professors to the Board of Regents and from alumni to undergrads, SDSU is lucky to have advocates that fit the Midwest stereotype. Y’all know ’em . . . those people that possess a never-quit work ethic, that go above and beyond, that do the little things for others, the genuine individuals that do the right things for the right reasons.

As an employee of the University, it’s pretty special that SDSU is one of those “right reasons.”

It’s a place where high morals are expected, an avenue by which lifelong friends are made, a University with big promise and a bold vision, and a place you can call your own. We thank you— the best fans around—for your support of the University.

As the giving snowballs, we can see things come full circle as our student-athletes pour their hearts into your program. Going the extra mile and shedding blood, sweat, and tears while wearing a Jackrabbit uniform is something that we can all admire.

More impressively, however, is that the buck doesn’t stop there. The giving these young men and women do outside of athletic competition and the commitment they make to others is what really makes them champions.

Volunteering for Special Olympics, visiting area retirees or elementary students, working for the children’s hospital, helping to serve a warm meal to those in need, and numerous other acts of kindness are all everyday occurrences and serve as a way for Jackrabbit students to give back.

To have such selfless and kind-hearted student-athletes is truly a blessing.

It becomes clear that the Jackrabbit family helps to make our world go round. Thanks kindly for both the “go-arounds” and the “come-arounds.” You make it a great day to be a Jackrabbit.

SDSU ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT STAFF

Go Big. Go Blue. Go Jacks.

arkBuges M

ASSOCIATE ATHLETIC DIRECTOR FOR EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

SOUTH DAKOTA STATE UNIVERSITY

RABBIT TRACKS VOLUME 14 NO. 1 \ WINTER 2009

WOMEN’S ATHLETICS FROM INTRAMURALS TO TITLE IX

ABOVE: Dana, LaDawn, Alana and Dan Dykhouse attended the September 13, 2008, groundbreaking for the Dykhouse Student-Athlete Center just north of Coughlin-Alumni Stadium. The training, academic, and office complex is slated for completion in August.

SOUTH DAKOTA STATE UNIVERSITY Athletics Department Box 2820 Brookings, SD 57007-1497

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

NON-PROFIT US POSTAGE PAID BROOKINGS SD PERMIT 24