RT 2012 Spring

South Dakota State University

Volume 17 No.1 / Spring 2012

Defining Success…

What a great time to be a Jackrabbit! We have reached many milestones throughout the past academic year.

I am extremely proud of the young men and women who represent South Dakota State University.

This March, our basketball programs captured the attention of the entire Jackrabbit Nation. Calls, e-mails, and letters have come in from afar—our loyal fans and alumni love SDSU and what WE represent. The exposure locally, regionally, and nationally was priceless. It was a special time for our University, community, and state of South Dakota.

Our staff has done a great job in capitalizing on the accomplishments from this winter and spring.

Generating new revenue and fundraising are a major priority to meet the demands of student-athlete scholarships, facilities, and additional positions for coaches and staff. With that said, we are currently reaching all-time highs in donations, season-ticket sales, and corporate sponsorship.

• The Jackrabbit Club is at a record high for members and donations.

• Demand for football and basketball season tickets is higher than ever. Coughlin-Alumni Stadium and Frost Arena will define what it means to have a home field and home-court advantage in 2012-13.

• Corporate sponsorships with Learfield Sports have been a major asset to SDSU Athletics. Sales are up 25 percent.

• On April 28, we held our Jackrabbit Athletic Scholarship Auction, and this one-night event generated $370,000—that is equivalent to twenty-seven full in-state scholarships!

The bullet points above are something we take pride in. However, these items are merely benchmarks for us to get better. Like the student-athletes, our staff does a great job pushing each other to reach goals set forth in an environment that develops success. As always, it is important to note that without your support, none of this is possible.

One can define success in many ways. We are succeeding in the classroom (3.20 cumulative GPA), in competition, and in the Athletic Department. Winning is contagious in all facets of our University!

On behalf of all the Jackrabbits, thank you for your support. We truly have the best fans, donors, and alumni. I’m sure many of you feel the same way. I cannot wait for this fall and the start of another memorable year for our teams and student-athletes.

Go Big. Go Blue. Go Jacks.

Justin Sell Director of Athletics

South Dakota State University

CONTENTS

Volume 17 No.1 / Spring 2012

2 more than just wins Big bumps in basketball attendance wasn’t simply because the men’s and women’s programs went 27-1 at home.

4 NCAA tournament x 2 Sending two teams to the Big Dance meant SDSU administrators needed quick feet to pull off the logistics.

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10

8 building a stadium A gift from 1986 grads David and Shari Lane helps turn Huether Field into more of a true baseball stadium.

10 One-year wonder Basketball player Dale Moss made the most of his one year on the football team and now is a Green Bay Packer.

12 Pros enhance job hunt The Young Professionals Experience helps prepare student-athletes for their post-collegiate careers.

13 coach spotlight Brad Erickson became SDSU’s first swimmer to qualify for the national meet even though he didn’t swim in high school after his sophomore year.

4 NCAA tournament x 2

Sending two teams to the Big Dance meant SDSU administrators needed quick feet to pull off the logistics.

PRESIDENT David L. Chicoine DIRECTOR OF ATHLETICS Justin Sell ASSISTANT ATHLETIC DIRECTOR, SPORTS INFORMATION Jason Hove SDSU SPORTS INFORMATION ASSISTANT DIRECTOR Ryan Sweeter SENIOR ASSOCIATE AD/EXTERNAL AFFAIRS Leon Costello EDITOR Andrea Kieckhefer, University Relations CONTRIBUTING WRITERS, Photographers Dave Graves, Dana Hess, Kyle Johnson, University Relations DESIGNER Kristi Schelhaas

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

about the cover March 6, 2012, became, arguably, the most historic day in South Dakota State sports history when both the women’s and men’s basketball teams won the Summit League tournament in Sioux Falls to qualify for the NCAA Division I tournaments.

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.

1,900 copies printed by the SDSU Athletic Department at no cost to the State of South Dakota. PE069 06/12

15 where are they now?

Trent Baalke, former SDSU assistant, named NFL Executive of the Year.

17 under armour deal Starting in July, SDSU is an Under Armour school for almost all sports.

19 sponsor spotlight: Aramark Campus food service provider keeps fans’ hunger at bay.

20 Wrestling team room When it’s time for watching film or study poli sci, SDSU wrestlers have a place of their own now.

22 behind the scenes: Doug hagman Facilities manager wants no one to notice the work he and his crew do.

25 donor spotlight: James Petersen He only played three downs for the SDSU football team, but he continues to make an impact on the program.

29 funding for scholarships Nik Aamlid and Slade Larscheid share a joint mission—grow the Jackrabbit Club’s scholarship fund for athletes.

more than just wins

It takes to grow Jacks’ home attendance

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t’s all about being prepared.

Shortly after Justin Sell was named SDSU’s director of athletics three years ago, plans began forming to increase season ticket and individual game sales for basketball.

And so the question was asked: How to enhance a system so when—not if—success arrives promotional things fall into place with the net result being increased attendance figures?

“We do a good job in terms of preparation,” says Sell, who took over May 7, 2009. “We are trying to capitalize on short-term opportunities that are in front of us and within the framework of our long-term strategic plan. What you are seeing now go handin-hand.”

The Jackrabbit women, who went 24-9, advanced to the NCAA

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Tournament for the fourth consecutive year after claiming their fourth straight Summit League Tournament title. They had a home attendance average this year of 2,403—up considerably from last year’s average of 1,882.

Completing the package were the men. The Jacks won their first Summit League Tournament championship to advance to the NCAA Tournament field for the first time since moving to Division I. It all added up to a 27-8 season and a huge increase in home attendance, averaging 3,320 fans compared to 2,503 last year in Frost Arena.

Nearly perfect at home While the women were continuing to have success, the men were turning things around and fans were anticipating

good things happening for a proud and tradition-rich program, especially after going 19-12 last year with a roster full of good, young players.

And, why not do whatever it takes to bring more fans into Frost Arena and take advantage of the game atmosphere?

The men’s and women’s programs this year had a combined home court record of 27-1, highlighted by the men’s 14-0 mark.

“There’s no question having successful programs are critical,” says Sell in addressing attendance numbers.

“The success of our men and women certainly drives ticket sales.”

Specifically on the men, he observes, “It’s a lot harder to come and watch when you aren’t winning. However, people have been sensing that it has been building. Coach Nagy has been a very

2011-12 Home Record: Women: 13-1, Men: 14-0 2011-12 average home attendance: Women: 2,403, Men: 3,320 Attendance increase from 2010-11: Women: 22 percent, Men: 33 percent the south bleachers, will be located in the bleachers on the lower east and west ends.

“It will add almost 400 more quality seats,” says Sell. “It will help us maximize the impact of our active student body on the game-day experience.”

Special ticket packages

successful coach and had a group of younger guys who were starting to get it put together.”

Away from the basketball court, Sell and his staff have worked hard to improve attendance, from implementing different promotional items to adding more seating capacity in Frost Arena.

Yes, in March, they got approval from the Board of Regents to renovate the lower level seating in Frost Arena.

The south side bleachers will be pushed back to make way for chair-back seats.

The students, who have been occupying

Winning ways of the Jackrabbit teams have provided an electric atmosphere in Frost Arena. Special ticket packages and promotions will look to capture that excitement to help build a stronger and deeper fan base.

Popular attendance attractions like the Lamb Bonanza, Pork Classic, and Corduroy Classic enables the Athletic Department to work with those groups and they in turn help drive up game ticket sales because of their own promotional activities.

Faculty/staff nights are a hit with general admission ticket packages available to all the colleges on campus.

For people who can’t commit to season tickets due to living a fair distance from Brookings, mini-packages offer great seating options for Saturday doubleheaders.

According to Senior Associate Athletic Director Leon Costello, the biggest change was the focus on group sales.

“It’s a nice and quick way to show people what our games are all about,” he says. “The hope is to bring a group in and they in turn either bring more groups back, come back multiple times, or eventually buy season tickets.”

The department’s latest initiative has been the outbound ticket sales effort spearheaded by Christi Williams, assistant athletic director/ticket operations, and Ned Gavlick, ticket sales coordinator.

They were given the charge of not only contacting businesses and other groups in the community, but also aggressively making phone calls and compiling lists of past season-ticket holders, groups, and others who have an affinity to SDSU and the Athletic Department.

“It’s great to reach out to fans and give them an extra chance to hop on board for season and group tickets,” says Gavlick. “Seeing the great enthusiasm and big increase in attendance for our home basketball games is wonderful. We look forward to continuing to build our fan base.”

Ways to make it better According to Costello, the department took an extra step by bringing in a consultant when making phone contacts.

“It was teaching things that make phone calls more comfortable and professional,” he says. “How do we get them more involved and the hope is that these phone calls will lead to more sales.

“It’s exploring ways to better explain to them what our season-ticket benefits are, what the process looks like, and what we can do to help them, especially if they are a business in terms of offering incentives to employers or for their customers.”

Yes, promotional and marketing initiatives are rolling with more on the way to fully maximize the successful SDSU basketball teams, and in fact, for the greater good of SDSU athletics and the student-athletes.

“That’s the whole point of this,” says Sell. “We are only part way to where we want to go.”

Kyle Johnson

SDSU Ticket Information Season tickets for 2012-13 men’s and women’s basketball go on sale May 21. Individual game tickets will go on sale November 1. To be put on the season-ticket list, call 1-866-GOJACKS or visit www.GOJACKS.com.

SPRING 2012

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NCAA Tournament

NCAA basketball trips impact across SDSU campus

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or people even remotely connected to SDSU athletics, March 6 will have a lasting memory.

That’s because on that date both the Jackrabbit men’s and women’s basketball teams automatically qualified for the NCAA Division I Tournament after winning Summit League Tournament championships in Sioux Falls.

It was a historic occurrence in Jackrabbit lore and ranks right up there with the biggest days in school history.

Although nearly a half-century ago, people still point to the 1963 Division II men’s basketball championship. The men’s cross-country program boasts six national titles, and the 2003 women’s Division II basketball crown can’t go unnoticed.

However, having two high-profile programs advance to the Big Dance at the same time is truly special by all accounts. Playing on national television, plus all the local and national press coverage in the days leading up to the tournament, makes for immeasurable bonus points, especially when it comes to recruiting future batches of Jackrabbits.

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The Jacks’ ability to extend their seasons had ramifications across the SDSU campus.

“The pride that alumni and friends of the University felt as a result of the NCAA runs generated increased contact with donors and a bump in online giving and visits to our website,” says Steve Erpenbach, president and chief executive officer of the SDSU Foundation.

“The first quarter of any year is slower in terms of gift activity because it follows the fourth quarter, which is our busiest, so the added attention brought on by the basketball tournaments certainly impacted our fundraising efforts.”

Huge increase in sales Speaking of websites, it would be hard to outdo the electronic activity of the SDSU Bookstore.

“We knew going in that it was going to be big, but obviously we didn’t know it was going to be this good,” says Stephen Brua, the store’s marketing coordinator.

In 2011, from March 6 through March 17, the store did $1,000 in online sales. Jump ahead to the same time frame in 2012 and the story was much, much different.

NCAA Tournament

From the start of the Summit League championship games to the respective men’s and women’s NCAA openinground games, Brua charted a 400 percent increase in Web traffic flow, and even more eye-popping was a 1,200 percent increase in online sales to $10,000.

“We never really thought what the dollar amount was— all we knew was we were just swamped with Web orders,” says Brua. “We saw a lot of orders, and so I ran the report to see what the actual sales numbers went up to and ended up finding out it was a $9,000 increase to what it was last year.”

Visits came from across the country with people from twenty-two different states lighting up the site, and not all were SDSU fans either, according to Brua.

“One guy called from Pennsylvania and he wanted a specific item because the size wasn’t on the website,” he says.

“He had no ties to SDSU, which proved how wide-ranging the interest was.”

Brua relates “the most shocking thing” was how fast the Summit League championship T-shirts went, especially since the games occurred during spring break.

“By the time the students got back we hardly had any T-shirts left for them because we sold so many online.

T-shirts and caps were our most popular items for sure.”

Alumni office rocks Perhaps the pulse of the nation was best felt through the SDSU Alumni Association.

“When we got back, our e-mail inbox and voicemails were just full of happy, elated Jackrabbit fans who wanted to express their pride in the programs,” says SDSU Alumni Association President and CEO Matt Fuks.

The alumni office was put to the test like nobody’s business, following the Summit League title games. Just like everyone else in Jackrabbit Land, Fuks and staff knew the

Clockwise from upper left: Jackrabbit defenders, from left, Tony Fiegen, Jordan Dykstra, Brayden Carlson and Chad White bottle up Baylor’s Quincy Acy; Griffan Callahan attempts a free throw; women’s basketball coach Aaron Johnston signals to his offense; senior Jill Young drives past Purdue’s Chantel Poston on the Boilermakers’ home court.

SPRING 2012

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NCAA Tournament

men and women were in the NCAA tournament, but the question was where in the country would they be playing?

The question was answered Sunday and Monday, March 11-12, for the men and women, respectively—very little time to organize events for anxious alumni.

“It’s kind of like a military situation where it’s hurry up and wait,” relates Fuks. “You have 10,000 things to do, but you can only go so far until you know where you are going.”

Once they knew, the office was rocking and the point person in the operation was Megan Winterboer, director of alumni relations, who was charged with setting up and coordinating venue sites for the games.

“I looked at the bracket and the possibilities of where we could be and found four sports bars/restaurants for each city,” she says. “I called every single one to see if they were interested in hosting us and how many people it would fit.

We then pared it down to the best one.”

For the men it was the UpTown Sports Bar in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and for the women it was Buffalo Wild Wings in West Lafayette, Indiana.

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Lots of hours put in Along with securing those sites, Winterboer set up watch parties for alumni chapters and alumni groups throughout the country, including Washington, D.C.; Seattle; Missoula, Montana; Phoenix; Denver; Minneapolis; Omaha; and naturally Sioux Falls and Rapid City.

“Between research and phone calls, we probably put in a good eight to ten hours on the men’s side and about five hours for the women,” she recounts. “The women’s side was much more under the gun, it was kind of like ‘sold, we’ll take that place.’”

With everything in place, Fuks and Winterboer headed for Albuquerque, driving thirteen hours the first day and nine hours the second day. “There was a good deal of stamina just to make it happen,” recalls Fuks, who notes that after the men’s game, Winterboer boarded an airplane the next morning for the trip to West Lafayette.

“There’s an excitement and mood that we don’t get to experience every single day,” says Fuks when describing the run up to the NCAA Tournament. “The alumni base

NCAA Tournament

always gets excited come Summit League Tournament time, but with both teams making the Big Dance the excitement reaches a completely different level.”

Band divides up spirit Following the teams, like they traditionally have, was the pep band. Immediately after the Summit League Tournament, Director of Athletic Bands Jim Coull gathered his crew and asked for their tournament preference.

He also had them fill out their full legal names, and list the weights and sizes of their instruments, to plan airline flights. “They had to turn the information into me within forty-eight hours after the tournament so I could start breaking the band down,” says Coull.

And, so it was, twenty-one band members flew to West Lafayette and twenty-three to Albuquerque—bringing with them all the school spirit in music they could muster.

“They had an absolute great time,” says Coull, who directed the band at the women’s game and Eric Peterson, SDSU director of bands, worked the men’s site.

“Frost Arena is always a great place to play, but it’s good for the kids to see a 14,000-seat arena and play in a venue like that. From my perspective, and from the positive comments I’ve received, we did every bit as good as the other big schools—in fact, better than most of them.”

Kyle Johnson

Opposite page, clockwise from upper left: Tony Fiegen tries to get past Baylor’s Quincy Acy for a rebound of a free throw; Purdue’s Courtney Moses challenges Jackrabbit defenders in the Boilermakers’ 83-68 win in the teams’ opening game in the NCAA tournament; SDSU fans in West Lafayette, Indiana., show their pride in the women’s basketball team; coach Aaron Johnston congratulates Hannah Strop as she leaves the game.

Clockwise from upper left: Katie Lingle fires up teammates Gabrielle Boever (4) and Tara Heiser (12) at the opening-round game in West Lafayette, Indiana.; SDSU cheerleaders and pep band members fire up the crowd in Albuquerque, New Mexico.; men’s basketball coach Scott Nagy as well as the University as a whole found itself in the media spotlight in March; Nate Wolters shoots one of six free throws in the NCAA tournament game against Baylor.

SPRING 2012

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Lane’s gift serves as challenge to baseball fans

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he Jackrabbit baseball team has met the challenge of the switch to Division I by winning 102 games in the past three seasons and reaching the Summit League championship each spring.

Now a former Jackrabbit standout has issued a challenge to baseball fans to help State build a baseball facility that matches its level of play on the field.

David Lane and his wife Shari (Weeks), both 1986 grads, made a challenge donation that jumpstarted the construction of grandstands and a press box at Erv Huether Field.

“I would like to thank David and Shari for their vision and support,” says Athletic Director Justin Sell. “Their gift will serve as a springboard to develop the master plan for our baseball facility.

Donors David and Shari (Weeks) Lane, both 1986 graduates, receive an autographed SDSU home plate from team members Andrew Phelan, far left, and Eric Cain at a ceremony before the April 11 game against the University of Minnesota. They are joined

by Athletic Director Justin Sell and SDSU President David L. Chicoine, far right.

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We are looking forward to working with our other baseball alumni and supporters to make Erv Huether Field a showcase ballpark.”

The Lanes were also among the baseball supporters who originally helped fund the current Huether Field, where the first priority was creating a good playing surface. Sell says he’s heard from other teams that the playing surface is the best in the league and the Midwest.

“That’s the players’ experience,” Sell says. “This gift gets us started on the fans’ experience.”

Seating for 564 That fan experience is being enhanced this year with three new sections of grandstands. These include 370 blue seats with backrests behind home plate, 188 aluminum bench seats along the baselines, and six handicapped spaces.

The grandstand, a press box, and a ticket booth, which were all finished in time for the Jacks’ home opener on April 10, are just the start of a much larger project envisioned for Huether

Field. Other features planned for the field include a concession stand, bathrooms, an entryway, concrete by the bullpens, and raising the ground in right field to help with drainage.

“When we’re done, we’ll have a facility that matches the Division I level of our play on the field,” Sell says.

‘We need to make something happen’ Lane, who leads the Canadian division of Edward Jones Investments, was in Brookings in October for his induction into the Jackrabbit Sports Hall of Fame.

A star shortstop for the Jacks who still holds the school record for stolen bases in a career, Lane was a member of the State team that reached the Division II College World Series in 1984.

During his October 2011 visit, Lane met the coaches and players and was impressed with the current state of the program. He also happened to notice that Huether Field didn’t have a grandstand yet.

What followed was a breakfast meeting with Sell that was likely an

athletic director’s dream come true.

According to Sell, when he finished explaining the needs at Huether Field, Lane said, “You know, we need to make something happen.”

A fan of the Jacks and the Cardinals Since his graduation, Lane has kept tabs on the Jacks. He has been able to catch a few Jacks’ games on the road including a Midwest Regional Tournament game against North Dakota State University and a game at Murray State University in Murray, Kentucky.

“I was actually there when they beat Notre Dame for their first Division I win,” Lane recalls.

The Jacks aren’t the only baseball team Lane follows. He lives in Toronto, Canada, but maintains season tickets for the St. Louis Cardinals.

“I could live in Australia and I would keep those tickets,” Lane says.

Facility improvements impressive When he’s asked about his latest contribution to the improvement of Huether Field, Lane is more likely to turn the conversation to the needs of the players rather than his own generosity.

“We’re just happy to be able to contribute in a small way,” Lane says.

“They deserve to have a facility that rivals anything in the conference.”

And, according to Lane, the Jacks are well on their way to having just that.

Lane had never seen a baseball game at Huether Field until he came back for the April 11 game when SDSU hosted the University of Minnesota. It was at that game that Lane got his first look at the improvements that got their start with his donation.

While the Lanes were the lead donors on the project, they had no say concerning how the money was spent.

“They made all the right choices,” Lane says. “I was so impressed with the facility.”

More than a better fan experience While the current efforts to improve Huether Field have taken care of the needs of the press and heightened the fan experience, the changes are felt far beyond the baseball diamond.

Sell notes that at a time when other college athletic programs are cutting baseball, SDSU is building its program.

“We’re investing in baseball,” Sell says, a noteworthy accomplishment given the rigorous travel schedule that goes with being a team from a northern location. This year, the Jacks’ schedule had them playing twenty-four road games in Kentucky,

Arkansas, Nebraska, Illinois, Colorado, Iowa, Indiana, and the Metrodome in Minneapolis before their home opener.

Improved facilities help the school’s image, Sell says, whether it’s recruiting players or connecting with alumni.

Sell uses the Lanes as an example of alumni who have never lost that connection to SDSU. “They’ve been very, very supportive of our program,” Sell says. “They want to see South Dakota State continue to do well.”

Winning one for the Lanes That’s what they got to see at the game versus the University of Minnesota as the Jacks handed the Golden Gophers a 3-1 defeat.

“That was such a great ballgame,” Lane says. “There’s a lot of excitement around the baseball program.”

That excitement was evident in the size of the crowd filling the new grandstand. Lane says he was impressed by the size of the crowd and gratified that State could bring Division I baseball to the Minnesota fans who attended.

“It was good to see all the SDSU fans at the game,” Lane says, “and it was fun to send Minnesota and their fans home with a loss.”

Dana Hess

SPRING 2012

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Dale Moss Moss’ talent goes from basketball to football; shines in Shrine Game

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ale Moss was named the recipient of the Jim Langer Award as the most valuable player on the SDSU football team for the 2011 season.

Oops! Perhaps there are those wiping egg from their face or taking a foot from their mouth. Whatever the case, any naysayers have joined with constant believers in what Moss has accomplished and there’s more football to come after signing a three-year free agent contract with the Green Bay Packers April 28.

After starring four years with the Jackrabbit basketball program, Moss used his remaining year of eligibility playing football—and what a stellar-season it turned out to be.

He earned second-team all-Missouri Valley Football Conference honors and was honored on the conference’s allnewcomer team. In conference games only, he led the circuit in receptions per game with 6.6 and in total receiving yards with 843. His 105.4 receiving yards per game was also best in the conference. For the season, he tied for the Jackrabbit high in receptions with sixty-one, while ranking first in receiving yards with 949, and second in touchdown catches with six.

Not too bad at all for this 6-foot-4, 220-pound wide receiver from Brandon, who graduated December 2011 with a degree in economics (business emphasis) and a minor in consumer affairs.

“When I made the decision to transition from basketball to football, a lot of people thought I would be a big flop or there was no way I’d be able to compete,” recalls Moss.

“That was a huge motivating factor for me in the off-season

to put in hour after hour of work in order to prove to everybody what I was capable of.”

First Jack to play His talent and numbers gained national attention, culminating in his invitation to play in the prestigious East-West Shrine game January 21 at Tropicana Field in

Pictured: Dale Moss poses with a young girl during a visit to the Shrine Hospital prior to the East-West Shrine game in St. Petersburg, Florida. In the week leading up to the game, Moss went through daily practice drills before helping the West to a 24-17 win. Moss became the first player in SDSU history to play in the game’s eighty-seven year history.

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Batten, Cochart with Bills, Bengals Former Jackrabbits Danny Batten and Colin Cochart each completed their first season in the National Football League.

Batten, a 6-foot-4, 242-pound linebacker, appeared in all sixteen games for the Buffalo Bills, notching seventeen solo tackles, eight assists, and half a sack. His most productive game was a five-tackle performance against Miami.

The Bills drafted Batten in the sixth-round (twenty-third pick) in 2010.

Cochart, a 6-foot-4, 254-pound tight end, appeared in ten games for the Cincinnati Bengals, who posted a 9-7 record and advanced to the National Football Conference playoffs. For the season, Cochart recorded five receptions for forty-four yards and one touchdown.

St. Petersburg, Florida. He became the first player in SDSU history to play in the game’s eighty-seven year history.

“To say I was excited would be an understatement,” says Moss of his selection. “I was a little surprised just because I had only played one year, but I was confident in my abilities and that the plays I made this year would give me a good shot.

“I was fortunate for having a good sports agency representing me and people in the SDSU football family pulling for me. My biggest goal was to make a name for myself, but also represent and open some doors for up-andcoming guys in the SDSU football program.”

In the week leading up to the game, players were put through daily practice drills, while being evaluated by National Football League scouts, coaches, and general managers at every turn. Indeed, for prospects across the country it’s the perfect setting for fulfilling professional dreams.

Moss was one of only six players outside the Football Bowl Subdivision to play this year for the West squad, which was coached by former Minnesota Vikings Coach Brad Childress.

In the 24-17 West win, Moss made his first catch when Northwestern quarterback Dan Persa hit him for a tenyard gain on the first play of the second half. He picked up another first down on his other catch—a thirteen-yard reception from Northern Illinois’ Chandler Harnish in the fourth quarter.

Intense workouts Moss was satisfied with his showing, particularly the days leading up to the big game.

“The game went well, but what a lot of people don’t realize is in terms of improving your stock to NFL teams, the practices are the most important part,” he says.

“I was really eager to have the first practice to see how I stacked up athletically to players from some of the power

conferences, and after that first practice I knew I could compete at any level.”

Following the Shrine Game, Moss stayed in Florida, where he trained twice-a-day, six days a week at Athletic Edge Sports in Bradenton. Field work consisted of testing technique and route work, followed by weight lifting that targets the upper body and lower body. Two mornings each week were devoted specifically to rigorous cardio and plyometric exercises and more lifting.

In addition, each Wednesday and periodically through the week a yoga instructor and massage therapist arrived to keep their bodies healthy and loose due to the nature of the workouts and conditioning regime.

“I’m in the best shape of my life,” says Moss. “The type of training they had us doing was extremely intense, but I loved it.”

Eyeing a roster spot His training will come mighty handy now that a career in the National Football League is in sight. He departed May 10 for forty-five days of mini-camps and organized team activities with the Packers. The first preseason game is August 9 against San Francisco at legendary Lambeau Field in Green Bay. “I’m happy to be with the team—it’s a good team,” says Moss. “But now the biggest thing for me is making the active roster, to get a spot.”

After four years of basketball there was an instant segue into football, and looking back, Moss feels his time with the Jackrabbit basketball program is paying big dividends now.

“I honestly feel without that time as a basketball player I would not have been as successful on the football field,” he says. “I’m a firm believer that things happen for a reason. I just wanted to make the most of the opportunities I was given, and never allow myself to look back and have regrets.”

Kyle Johnson

SPRING 2012

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STUDENT-ATHLETE FOCUS

Student-athletes hear from PROS TO enhance job hunt

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he title says it best: Young Professionals Experience.

Young professionals they are, looking for experience from experts so they are thoroughly prepared to the upmost degree when applying for positions in the workforce following graduation.

For the third consecutive year, the SDSU Athletic Department held the Young Professionals Experience, which is one of the programming pieces of the NCAA Life Skills program.

According to Laurie Johnston, assistant athletic director for academics, the Young Professionals Experience is gaining in popularity due to its content and what it means to student-athletes’ post-graduation success.

“We are trying our best to prepare students-athletes for life after college and going out and finding a job,” she says. “It’s been very popular and we’ve gotten very good feedback from students, administrators, staff members, and professionals in the field.”

The Young Professionals Experience event was divided into two phases on different nights (April 16/24) in the Champions Room of the Dykhouse Student-Athlete Center on campus.

The first part was a classroom-type format. It involves representatives from businesses and the Department of Labor meeting with student-athletes on the art of writing a resume, cover letters, and interviewing skills.

The second phase took place in a formal environment. The event consists of twenty-five student-athletes matched up with twenty-five professionals in a mock interview setting. They enjoy a full-course meal catered by Aramark and there’s a keynote speaker.

According to Tom Coughlin, manager of high school/park/ recreation and sports marketing sales at Daktronics, the ability to network is an extraordinary opportunity for student-athletes.

“A student can make many contacts in a short amount of time,” says Coughlin. “The one-on-one dinner and interview provides an experience that, I would guess for some, is the first time they’ve been in a setting like that.

“Then there’s the chance to review the discussion of the evening so they can fine tune their remarks for when it’s an interview for an actual position.”

Student-athletes are required to reserve a spot a few weeks in advance to allow ample time to locate the appropriate professionals and pencil in their appearance, says Johnston.

Peter Reifenrath’s major was broadcast journalism with a minor in history. That’s what it says on paper, but in reality his life has been about sports, whether kicking and working out for

the SDSU football team from 20062010, lifeguarding, or coaching baseball during the summer.

Niche found at dinner There was little time for Reifenrath to do anything else, especially finding time to gain experience in the broadcast field. As a junior, he attended the Young Professionals Experience and was paired with Coughlin, who just so happened to possess a broadcast journalism background. There was an instant connection and that summer Reifenrath landed an internship with Daktronics in the large sports venues and sports marketing area.

“Tom helped me get a foot in the door, and it wouldn’t have happened if it hadn’t been for the dinner,” says Reifenrath, who works full time as a sponsorship/advertising sales development representative in the Daktronics Sports Marketing Division.

Kyle Johnson

Table conversation At each table, there was either one student-athlete and one professional or two student-athletes and two professionals.

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Former SDSU kicker Peter Reifenrath, a sponsorship/advertising sales development representative in the Daktronics Sports Marketing Division, shows off a few of the projects Daktronics Sports Marketing has been involved with recently to, from left, Jerry Sikkink, Tom Coughlin, and Chris Popowski. Coughlin is manager of high school/park/recreation and sports marketing sales at Daktronics, while Sikkink and Popowski hold the same job title as Reifenrath.

coach spotlight

Green but Good Lack of experience didn’t keep Erickson from swimming success

W

hen you’re the son of a South Dakota Baseball Hall of Fame inductee, you’re bound to grow up to be a … swimmer.

“Dad pushed us to be on the baseball team, but on those hot summer days, it was a lot more refreshing to be in the pool,” says Brad Erickson, the SDSU swim coach since 1976 and the first SDSU swimmer to compete in the NCAA Division II Championships.

Growing up in Arlington, where his dad ran the café, Erickson lived just a block and a half from the ball diamond.

But when he was six or seven, the city swimming pool was built just across the street from the baseball field. “At the time, it was one of the biggest pools in the state,” he says of the twenty-five-yard pool. “I remember going with my brothers and sisters all summer long.”

When he was in fifth- or sixth-grade, two college students started a city recreational swim team.

Erickson, a three-time conference champ at State, enjoyed the taste of competition during the two and onehalf-month-long summer seasons. But after his sophomore year, Erickson decided to focus on a new high school sport—wrestling—and work on area farms.

Swimming rediscovered He came to SDSU in 1970 as a health, education and physical education major with no intent to participate in athletics.

Erickson wasn’t college material in wrestling and “I didn’t know they had a [swimming] team. As a freshman, the guy next to me and the guy across the hall were on the swim team,” Erickson says. Soon those Hansen Hall buddies had him on the swim team.

That was only the third year of the team’s existence and before there was a swimming pool on campus.

Practices were at the Brooking High School pool, where SDSU swimmers were low priority. Practices were 5:30 to 7 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays and 9 to 11 p.m. Wednesdays.

“It was such a short turnaround. Most of the guys would go get a pizza at George’s. By the time we got back to the dorm, it was twelve and we had to be in the water at 5:30.

Freshman Brad Erickson, in water, at right, looks up at senior Keith Sutton in 1970. It was only the third year of the SDSU swimming program and the team practiced at the Brookings High School pool.

But that created fellowship and team bonding. Everybody was up late and up early. We had a very close-knit team,” Erickson recalls.

Best at the breaststroke It was his first competitive experience in an indoor pool, yet by the end of his freshman year he found success in the breaststroke.

With a few exceptions, swimming was a summer-only experience for South Dakota high school students, and a couple teammates had even less experience than Erickson did, he remembers. Consequently, SDSU was a middle-ofthe-pack program in the North Central Conference.

Mankato State and Northern Iowa were the powers because of high school swim programs in those states.

But through hard work, natural talent, and the instruction of a graduate assistant, Erickson became a power in the breaststroke. He won the 200-yard breaststroke at the conference meet as a sophomore and a junior, and won the 100-yard breaststroke as a senior.

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coach spotlight

Wrong color scheme at new pool

Brad Erickson, front row, fourth from left, joins for a team picture in 1970 at the Brookings High School pool, where the Arlington native swam competitively for the first time in an indoor pool.

He advanced to the national meet in 1973.

His title as a junior was in an NCAA Division II qualifying time of 2:21. That meant Erickson and his coach, Brett Getchel, headed for Wayne State in downtown Detroit in late February 1973 for the national meet. “That was one of the larger pools that had I seen,” Erickson says in reference to the deck and spectator area at the twenty-five-yard pool.

He admits to being a little intimidated when he dove in the sixlane pool. He was done after one race.

Trip brings lifetime memories But Erickson matched his seeding time and he considers the national meet as the highlight of his swim career. Plus, the trip brought a pool full of good memories.

On the Thursday night before the meet, Erickson and Getchel took in a Pistons–Lakers game, giving him

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a chance to watch L.A. basketball legends Gail Goodrich, Jerry West, and Wilt Chamberlain. “I was so in awe of those guys,” he says.

After the Saturday race, Erickson and Getchel immediately hit the road to beat an impending snowstorm.

They didn’t win. “We got to Kalamazoo and then spent twenty-two hours on the interstate,” Erickson says.

But they weren’t alone. He estimates a thousand cars were stranded on I-94.

The pair slept in the car and stayed reasonably warm.

When they hiked to a nearby gas station, only peanuts and chips were left, so that was breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Dave Graves

In forty years of competing in and coaching at the HPER Center pool, Brad Erickson has a lot of golden memories, and one red memory.

“My first memory, we had to string lane lines,” putting one-foot plastic pieces on wires to create lanes for swimmers. It took the team three or four hours to do the work for the pool’s January 1973 opening. However, Assistant Athletic Director Harry Forsyth didn’t like the look of its work.

The pieces were red and white, the same colors as archrival the University of South Dakota.

Forsyth growled, “‘What the hell are you doing with red?’” Erickson recalls. He doesn’t recall Coach Brett Getchel’s answer, but he does remember having to take off the red plastic and wait for a shipment of blue and white pieces to arrive.

There’s only one year in which Erickson doesn’t have memories of the pool. He coached a Rapid City YMCA team in 1975-76.

After graduating in 1974, Erickson spent 1974-75 as a graduate assistant to Getchel, the first full-time swim coach at State.

Of course, full time didn’t mean spending all his time coaching the swim team. He also taught classes and was an assistant football coach.

So when Erickson became the swim coach in 1976, the guy who had a year of high school football experience was named the receiver coach at State.

He was there fifteen years, coaching the likes of All-American Jeff Tiefenthaler and other allconference winners.

Dave Graves

where are they now?

Trent Baalke Former SDSU assistant named NFL Executive of Year

M

ike Daly, former SDSU head football coach, recalls that minutes into his interview with Trent Baalke he knew he was going to hire him.

“Trent’s a great guy, the hardest working coach I was ever around in my twenty-five years of coaching. He never stopped. He was excellent on the field and was very demanding of himself.”

All good traits that would serve Baalke well and the team he now calls home. In January 2011, he was named general manager of a San Francisco 49ers team that was instantly transformed into a high-powered National Football Conference West Division champion with a 13-3 record after going 6-10 the year before.

From July to the start of the 2011 season, Baalke signed twenty-one players, including several key free agents, who fueled the Niners’ turnaround. For his efforts and recognizing his knack of making the right moves, Baalke was named the 2011 Pro Football Weekly/Professional Football Writers of America Executive of the Year.

“I’m very appreciative of this recognition, but to me, this is very much a team award, from ownership on down,” says Baalke. “I’m extremely fortunate to be able to work with such a high-character, driven, and highly competent group of individuals. They all really embrace the team-first mentality, which we consider a prerequisite to good decision making.”

The honor doesn’t come as a surprise to Daly, who calls Baalke a great judge of talent.

“He can look at people and see talent better than other coaches I’ve been around,” he says. “Trent was simply a great assistant.

“I put him in charge of our weight program and also asked him to take care of the pro scouts who would come and look at our players. He gave them game film and a complete rundown on a prospect. He went the extra mile for them and the scouts really liked him. He did an unbelievable job.”

Returning to the fold Baalke’s rise to the front office of a National Football League team obviously wasn’t on his radar screen sixteen years ago.

After serving as the defensive line/strength and conditioning coach for the Jacks from 1990 to 1995, he left football and went to Fargo to work for Frappier Acceleration, a business that trains athletes. Later, he was the athletic director at Shanley High School in Fargo, followed by a position in the financial world.

Trent Baalke, defensive line/strength and conditioning coach for the Jackrabbits from 1990 to 1995, was named general manager of the San Francisco 49ers January 2011. It was a good choice because the 49ers went from a 6-10 team in 2010 to the West Division title in 2011 with a 13-3 record.

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where are they now?

“The ability to work along side motivated individuals in a team setting with the same goals and principles are very important to him.” SDSU Associate Athletic Director of Development Mike Burgers on Trent Baalke Baalke joined the 49ers in 2005 as the team’s western region scout. Three years later he was named director of player personnel overseeing both the college and pro personnel departments. In 2010, he was promoted to vice president of player personnel, before being tabbed as the franchise’s general manager in January 2011.

“I’m certainly humbled and grateful for this opportunity,” says Baalke, who emphasizes that what all people need is a chance, no matter where they are from or what they are doing.

“There are a lot of competent people at every level in every industry. All they need is a break here or there, but generally speaking those who are willing to pay the price have a chance to succeed.”

Trent Baalke was named 2011 Pro Football Weekly/Professional Football Writers of America Executive of the Year. Mike Daly, former SDSU head football coach, calls Baalke the hardest working coach he was ever around in twenty-five years of coaching.

“When I left football after the ’95 season I had no intention of going back,” recalls Baalke, whose life took a new direction after receiving a phone call from Dick Haley, director of player personnel for the New York Jets, who knew about Baalke from his days on the SDSU staff. Bill Parcells was the Jets’ head coach and on his staff was Bill Belichick, future head coach of the New England Patriots.

“Dick asked me if I was interested in a scouting job. I listened to what he had to say, and after talking to my wife, I decided what the heck, and now I’m sitting here. It’s been a lot of hard work and I’ve been fortunate to work with very good people along the way.”

Chance well taken Following three years with the Jets, Baalke spent four years on the Washington Redskins’ scouting staff, serving as the college scouting coordinator in his final season. His first three years he traveled the country searching for rising talent as the Redskins’ national scout.

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No change in person Mike Burgers, associate athletic director of development at SDSU, met Baalke nine years ago through the Jackrabbit Athletic Scholarship Auction and says his friend is still the same old Trent.

“We’ve stayed in touch, and he continues to support SDSU through the auction,” he says. “What impresses me about Trent is he hasn’t changed based on the title in front of his name. I think that says a lot about his character and the kind of person he is.

“Trent’s ties to SDSU are strong and his memories are vivid. He is highly motivated, passionate, and determined.

Building and being part of something special drives him to be the best general manager possible. The ability to work along side motivated individuals in a team setting with the same goals and principles are very important to him.”

For Baalke, his first full-time coaching stint provided solid training for what was in his future.

“I’m very appreciative of my time at SDSU,” he says. “It’s a great institution with a sound Midwest quality to it. There are good people there and that’s why in a tough market the University is prospering and succeeding.”

Kyle Johnson

Under armour contract

State inks athletic apparel contract with Under Armour

A

fter five years of seeing the Nike swoosh on SDSU athletic uniforms, South Dakota State is becoming an Under Armour school.

The contract with Nike expires in May, and a new contract was finalized in mid-March for Under Armour to provide uniforms and other apparel for virtually every SDSU sports team. The new contract, also for five years, begins in July, according to Rob Peterson, senior associate athletic director for internal operations.

SDSU is the only school in the Summit League that will be under such a contract with Under Armour, he adds.

Rather than seeking to outfit every school in the region, Under Armour “tries to create some exclusivity to the schools they work with,” Peterson says.

“That was a huge part” of the reason that the sixteen-year-old, Baltimorebased, public company was chosen, he says.

Ryan Johnson, who has worked with Under Armour for eight years, says SDSU is Under Armour’s only D-I school in this part of the Midwest.

SDSU’s Nike contract was set to expire in June 2012, so during summer 2011 Peterson began the process of gauging the interest of the national apparel providers to see who would be the best partner for SDSU. In October 2011, a request for proposals was sent to Nike, Adidas and Under Armour.

The companies all responded by December, and negotiations began in January.

Negotiations, which wrapped up in mid-March, “proved that Under Armour was a great choice for us,” Peterson says.

Attractive incentive package “UA’s financial package really made sense for us,” he says. SDSU Athletic Department receives a discounted rate off of retail on all team apparel purchases and, based on the department’s annual spending, the company also includes an annual promotional product credit allowance.

Pictured: Rob Peterson, left, associate athletic director for internal operations, poses with Ryan Johnson, local representative for Under Armour. In mid-March, SDSU signed a contract to have Under Armour outfit virtually all the SDSU teams.

SPRING 2012

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Under armour contract

“Additionally UA provides the Athletic Department with an annual upfront product credit allowance that is not based on spending. The tiered promotional credit allowance package begins when annual purchases exceed $100,000 annually and increase incrementally as the department reaches each contractually established tier,” Petersen explains.

Another contract provision is “bonus compensation to support our teams and head coaches based on their level of success. If our basketball or football teams win a conference championship or participate in postseason competition, their sport budget is eligible to receive a team performance bonus.

“If the head coach in any of our sports is named coach of the year, they are eligible to receive a cash bonus from Under Armour” Peterson says.

Brand targets young customers Beyond the financial logic of the move, there is the “it” factor.

“The Under Armour brand is something our recruits are really gravitating toward. That’s what you see the young people wearing these days.

Whether they’re on or off the court or field, they’re sporting Under Armour.

It’s a brand they’ve grown up with just like we did with Converse,” Peterson says.

The SDSU Bookstore also has found success in carrying Under Armour apparel.

“When you walk through the bookstore or Jackrabbit Central, you see the SDSU and UA logo on all different types of clothing. It’s what’s hot and the brand of choice for the general student body,” Petersen says.

Johnson, a Brookings resident, says, “As a company, we’re just 16 years old. So we’ve really focused on young athletes with our advertising and having athletes grow up with our brand.

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“Under Armour’s mission statement is to make all athletes better through science, passion, and the relentless pursuit of innovation. We are excited to bring this to the student-athletes at SDSU.” The switch to Under Armour has met with favor from SDSU studentathletes and “a few of our studentathletes have tweeted on it,” Peterson says. He notes they haven’t seen the new uniforms; they’re just commenting on the idea of wearing Under Armour.

What will uniforms look like?

In fact, the look of the new uniforms is being kept a secret until an unveiling before next season.

Under Armour created quite a stir when the Maryland Terrapins ran out in their state-flag inspired uniforms at the start of the 2011 football season.

Don’t expect that at SDSU. “We are known as being respectful of tradition here at SDSU. We haven’t strayed from that much,” Peterson says.

By mid-April, only the football uniforms had been ordered and they are “spiced a little,” he added.

Men’s and women’s basketball uniforms also are under contract to be replaced for the 2012-13 season.

Uniforms for all other sports will be replaced during the next two years with SDSU a full Under Armour school by fall 2014.

By contract, sports other than basketball and football can wear the current uniforms for the next two years, but all will be replaced by 2014, Peterson explains.

Some Under Armour already in use There are a few contract exemptions.

The softball team has a contract with Wilson Sporting Goods through 2013.

The baseball team’s contract with Wilson expires this season. Under Armour doesn’t make swimsuits or tops for the equestrian team.

But travel gear, bags, coats, etc., all will carry the interlocking U and A logo. “If UA produces it, we will be sporting it,” Peterson reports.

Baseball, softball, wrestling, and golf teams had already been wearing some Under Armour apparel, such as cold-weather gear. That was possible because the Nike contract only specifically covered football and basketball, although other sports could order at the discounted rate.

With the new contract, except for the previously mentioned exclusions, all gear will be Under Armour.

Nike narrowed collegiate focus SDSU isn’t the only school to become a former Nike client. The Oregonbased athletic footwear and apparel giant snagged the NFL contract that previously was held by Reebok. In turn, Nike is reducing the number of colleges it works with, Peterson says.

While Nike did submit a proposal for new SDSU uniforms, the serious competitors were Adidas and Under Armour, he says.

“We realize Nike’s need to fully commit to the NFL and the BCS programs. Let’s face it, that’s where the money is. The relationship with our Nike representative was great.

Not many transitioning schools get the opportunity to work directly with Nike.

“They really appreciated all the favorable press brought them from our athletic and academic success as well as our unique logo, but with the change to the NFL and the ending of our existing contract, the time was right to make the change,” he says.

So beginning next fall you can expect to see even more Under Armour on campus; both by the student body and now by the student-athletes.

Dave Graves

sponsor spotlight aramark

Aramark partnership helps student-athletes, fans

Amy Warren, Aramark’s director of dining services on the SDSU campus, poses in front of a concession in Frost Arena, which is served by the campus food service provider.

T

he Athletic Department has close partnerships with all of its corporate sponsors, but one is closer than the rest. Aramark, the campus food service, is also a reliable partner in making sure that the gameday fan experience is a pleasant one.

“They run all the concession stands.

They’re at all the games,” says Leon Costello, senior associate athletic director for external affairs. “The relationship is great.”

Costello notes that increased attendance at basketball games was causing longer lines at the concession stands, something that Aramark worked to alleviate by adding concession kiosks throughout Frost Arena.

“As attendance grows, we have to have more point of sales,” says Amy Warren, Aramark’s director of dining services on the SDSU campus.

“Structurally we can’t, so we do our best to alleviate lines by adding various kiosks. They have helped to meet the fans’ needs.”

Aramark also meets the fans’ needs by designating a manager who focuses strictly on game-day foods.

“Every year the concessions manager attends a conference where networking and new products are highlighted,” Warren says. “Seasoned salts for popcorn were last year’s trend. We try to bring at least two new trends to every season.”

The campus food service also stepped up when a sponsor was needed for the Athletic Scholarship Banquet. Aramark prepared and served food for 450 people.

“Their service allowed us to get the food out in a timely manner,” says Costello, who notes that the department is looking forward to Aramark’s work

on the next banquet. “They did such a good job, we’re not going to change much this year.”

Warren, too, is excited about Aramark’s relationship with the banquet.

“Frost Arena is the perfect stage to host an Athletic Scholarship Banquet,” Warren says. “It taps into nostalgia and school spirit. Aramark’s catering department loves a good challenge and supporting athletes is important.”

Catering is just one of the services Aramark offers on campus. In addition to its work with concessions, Aramark has eleven venues on campus, serving an average of 5,500 meals a day when school is in session.

Those numbers are likely to grow as plans are in the works for adding three new food venues to the University Student Union. An expansion project at the union, in conjunction with the construction of four new residence halls, will add 20,000 square feet and seating for 300 additional diners. In addition to the five venues that Aramark runs in the union, the expansion project will add Chick-fil-A Express, Panda Express, and Extreme Pita.

Aramark may have locations all over campus, but the place to find them on game day is at the concession stand.

“They’re trying to provide that customer service for all our fans,” Costello says.

Dana Hess

Sponsorship opportunities available SDSU’s Athletic Department has a variety of sponsorship opportunities available for businesses of all sizes.

To find out more, contact Leon Costello, senior associate athletic director for external affairs, at leon.costello@sdstate.edu or (605) 688-6294 or contact Brad Poe, general manager of Jackrabbit Sports Properties, at bpoe@jackrabbitsportsproperties.com or (605) 691-0064.

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Classroom renovated as wrestling team room

S

oft and comfy doesn’t accurately portray SDSU’s wrestlers, but it is an apt description for their new couches.

During Christmas break, the health science classroom adjacent to the wrestling practice area in the Health, Physical Education and Recreation Center was converted to a team room, keeping the program in line with other sports at South Dakota State.

The three black leather couches provide a good place to take a quick nap before weightlifting, freshman Shea Nolan says.

In addition to a power nap, Nolan uses the room to study and to watch video, both for personal pleasure and to study his sport. “The Athletic Department is implementing a lot of good things here for the wrestling program,” the political science major says.

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He notes the wrestlers were consulted on ideas for the room before the work was undertaken.

The couches are marked with the Jackrabbit logo and “South Dakota State University Wrestling.” The room also has two study tables, black leather chairs, and another group of chairs with swivel desktops. Along one wall are a full-size refrigerator, microwave, cupboards, and a sink.

There is a separate conference room where wrestlers can watch video or have a private meeting with a coach.

Nolan says the team uses the room for study table and for meetings before a dual match. Individually, “guys are here at random hours doing homework,” he says. “Usually, the dorms are pretty loud. This is a good place to go when you need a quiet place to study.

“Immediately after practice, go take a shower and get on your homework or play some videos.”

The yellow and blue room also was used in the interview process for a new coach. (Former Iowa State national champion Chris Bono, 38, was named head coach April 17 following the March 8 resignation of Jason Liles. Go to gojacks.com for details.)

Because wrestlers need to punch in a code to unlock the hallway door, there isn’t a concern about uninvited guests.

Dave Graves Freshmen Shea Nolan, left, and Dillon Reid relax in the wrestling team room April 16. The team room was created during Christmas break out of space that had been used by the health science program. It is conveniently located adjacent to the wrestling practice room.

Phone Apps

put Jackrabbit information in the palm of your hand

F

ans who have ever struggled to keep up with their favorite SDSU sport can rest easy. Now there’s an app for that.

“We want to make it as easy as possible to get our information,” says Leon Costello, senior associate athletic director for external affairs. “It’s been very, very well received.”

Costello explains that the information comes from a feed right on the gojacks.com website. “It works for any fan, wherever they are in the world,” Costello says.

Applications are available for Android phones, iPhones, and the iPod Touch with iPad applications coming soon. Apps for Apple products are available at the iTunes App Store.

Android phone users can search at app stores using the keywords SDSU or Jackrabbits.

The applications come in two versions. The free version includes the latest news, scores, schedules, and rosters as well as live stats for selected sports. A premium version available for $4.99 offers live audio streaming and on-demand video from Jackrabbit Extra including press conferences and interviews with players and coaches.

A sportswriter’s testimonial

Terry Vandrovec, the Jackrabbits’ beat writer at the Sioux Falls Argus Leader, can attest to that.

Vandrovec got the free Android application the first day it was available in the fall. Soon after he bought the premium version and he’s a big fan.

He uses the live audio for games he can’t make it to and even for those he does attend. Even if he’s in the press box

at Coughlin-Alumni Stadium covering a football game, Vandrovec will listen to the steaming audio’s halftime interview with Head Coach John Stiegelmeier for any insight it might give him about injuries or what to look for in the second half of the game.

“That’s access I wouldn’t normally have,” says Vandrovec, who admits, “It’s probably not the intent of the app.”

As a sportswriter, Vandrovec may have special needs for his app, but he’s sure Jackrabbit fans will find it useful.

“It works for any fan, wherever they are in the world.” Leon Costello, senior associate athletic director for external affairs

“It’s really mobile-friendly,” Vandrovec says. “The radio feature is huge.”

Since the app provides the audio feed, Vandrovec notes that are no worries about trying to dial in the game on the radio, no concerns about being out of range of the radio signal and no need to sit in front of the computer to listen to the game.

“You’re not confined to the computer,” Vandrovec says. “You’re not confined to one place.”

That’s exactly what leaders in the Athletic Department had in mind whenever they saw a campus full of students checking their phones between classes.

Also on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube

Twitter, and YouTube. At last count the Athletic Department and twelve varsity sports had Facebook accounts. Among the eight coaches who have Twitter accounts are Men’s Head Basketball Coach Scott Nagy and Women’s Head Basketball Coach Aaron Johnston. The twitter feeds add a personal touch to communication with fans.

“It allows fans a backstage look at players and coaches,” Costello says.

“They feel more connected.”

According to Costello, the Athletic Department has made a concerted effort to embrace the use of social media.

“It’s a cheap and efficient way to get our message out,” Costello says.

Dana Hess

In addition to the phone apps, the Athletic Department is using other forms of social media like Facebook, SPRING 2012

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behind the scenes

Hagman makes sure facilities serve fans, teams

A

nyone who enjoys an athletic event at SDSU owes a debt of gratitude to Doug Hagman.

He’s not going to make the winning basket or kick a field goal in overtime, but he plays a key role in making sure that student-athletes have everything they need to win and that fans have everything they need to enjoy their games in comfort.

As the athletic facilities manager at SDSU, Hagman oversees the Stanley J. Marshall HPER Center, Frost Arena, Coughlin-Alumni Stadium, the Dykhouse Center, Erv Huether Field, the Jackrabbit Softball Complex, various practice fields and the athletic facilities at the Intramural Building.

Don’t let the title fool you, as facilities manager, Hagman worries about more than facilities. He’s responsible for fans having an enjoyable experience, for student-athletes having

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a place to practice, and for campus organizations having the right venue for their event.

The invisible man When Hagman and his crew do their jobs well, it’s like they’re invisible.

“People think they just come in for a basketball game and it’s ready to go,” Hagman says.

Of course that’s not the case.

Preparation for a 7 p.m. basketball game starts at 7 a.m. on game day.

Preparation for a Saturday home football game starts the preceding Tuesday.

And once the game ends, the work continues.

Frost Arena can be particularly challenging because of all the teams and organizations that rely on the facility.

After a basketball game, Hagman’s crews get right to work getting the

building in shape for football practice at 7 the next morning.

“We just take care of it that night,” says Hagman, who usually doesn’t leave the arena until 10 on game nights.

“Flipping a building can be a challenge, but Doug is up to it,” says Rob Peterson, senior associate athletic director. “There’s not much I have to worry about when I know Doug is in charge of facilities.”

While Hagman puts in a long day for basketball games, there is one perk: He gets to sit on the bench during the game, ready to respond to any facility emergencies that might arise.

Don’t look for him on the bench at football games. Hagman and his crew oversee the tailgating area, a haven for special events that need to be set up and torn down.

behind the scenes Doug Hagman

“When a ball gets on the roof of the Dykhouse Center, somebody’s got to get it,” Hagman says.

From California to South Dakota The Hagman family made their way to South Dakota from Sacramento, California, where Doug had experience in grounds maintenance and owned his own pest control company for ten years.

With two young daughters to raise, Hagman and his wife, Pam, headed east, landing near Brookings when they found a hobby farm they wanted to buy.

They rebuilt the home on the farm but have since moved into Brookings.

The farm home’s 4,000 square feet started to echo once their children began to leave. One daughter is attending Penn State and the other will join her there after she graduates from Brookings High School in the spring.

With both of their daughters headed to Penn State, now the Hagmans are, too. Doug has accepted a position at the university as a supervisor for the physical plant where he’ll oversee the custodial crew for the athletic department.

“It’s going to be nice for our family to be in the same general area,” Hagman says.

All teams need a place to practice According to Hagman, he wasn’t seeking responsibility when he joined the athletic facilities staff at SDSU. Before becoming the facilities manager, he apprenticed under the former facilities manager and for four years now has handled a job that requires scheduling on a grander scale than most people realize.

Hagman oversees a large staff with five full-time custodians, two full-time groundskeepers, and fifteen part-time students.

In addition to making sure that teams have a place for their games, Hagman has to make sure that teams have a place to practice. With twentyone sports at SDSU, that’s not always easy. He notes that the change to

Division I has made basketball and football almost year-round sports.

“Everybody’s fighting for that practice space,” Hagman says. “You have to find someplace for them to be.”

Finding someplace for practices gets even tougher in the spring when many campus organizations are gearing up for festivals and want to use the same facilities that student-athletes rely on for their practices. Sometimes Hagman has to find room for teams to practice at the Intramural Building or the Fifth Street Gym off campus.

Scheduling practices around special events is only part of Hagman’s role.

His crews also have to make sure that events like commencement, the Festival of Cultures, science fairs, and concerts have their seating and custodial needs met.

“Doug does a great job of working with those as well,” Peterson says of the special events.

The end of the spring semester can be particularly busy.

“March and April tend to start the festival season,” Hagman says. “That’s when other outside groups start to get active.”

Many of them like to have their events in Frost Arena, which can create challenges for scheduling practices when the basketball teams end up in post-season play. For example, men’s and women’s teams had to fit their practices around the girls’ State High School AA Basketball Tournament in Frost March 8-10.

No let up in the summer According to Hagman, many people assume that the summer months are a slack time for him. That’s not the case.

“Summer is when we really get to work outside,” Hagman says.

This year, from late April until the second week of June, Hagman and his crew will be renovating two football practice fields. They’ll till them up, smooth them, and replant.

Home baseball games will take place through the end of May and then sports camps will take place on campus throughout the summer.

“Things don’t slow down in the summer at all,” Hagman says.

Dana Hess

BracketBuster offers example of facility planning At noon February 18, the SDSU men’s basketball team hosted Buffalo University for a BracketBuster game broadcast on ESPNU. Hosting Frost Arena’s first nationally televised basketball game took plenty of planning.

According to Senior Associate Athletic Director Rob Peterson, the BracketBuster game was preceded by three weeks of internal discussions and Facilities Manager Doug Hagman and Assistant Athletic Director Christi Williams were right in the middle of all of them.

In addition to the usual challenges that go with putting on a basketball game—followed by a home women’s basketball game later that afternoon— athletic officials had to allow for ESPNU’s needs and gauge fan interest.

They worked with the sports television network on camera locations and platforms. They worked with the Sports Information Department to determine media interest and decide how much to expand the press row table.

They had to estimate the crowd, figure the size of the crew needed to clean up between games, make contingencies for snow removal, and schedule times for the Jacks and Bulls to have shoot arounds and practices.

“Doug processes all that information,” Peterson says. “He oversees that and coordinates so we don’t have a glitch on a national TV game day.”

Dana Hess

SPRING 2012

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Thank you to all our corporate sponsors!

速

24

Rabbit Tracks

DONOR spotlight JAMES Petersen

Four years, three plays, a lifetime of gratitude

S

“

tarting at center for the Burke Bulldogs—James Petersen.”

Petersen was a two-year starter for his high school, but he was 5-9, 175 pounds, his team played nineman football, and the farm boy admits, “I don’t have a natural talent for the game.” A better candidate for the college band than a strong college football team.

And that’s exactly where Petersen was his freshman year, playing trombone in the Pride of the Dakotas Marching Band.

But, “looking across the way at the football team when I practiced with the band, I decided I was on the wrong side of the trees,” recalls Petersen, now a 30-year-old systems engineer with John Deere Intelligent Solutions Group in Des Moines, Iowa.

He says he considered walking on that fall, but “I didn’t have the courage worked up. I was pretty small. I didn’t think I could make it.”

“My experience, I wouldn’t trade it for The world.”

James Petersen like James are working hard for a chance to play one or two plays.”

Actually, it was three plays. In four years.

You see, Petersen was still 175 pounds when he suited up for the last time in November 2004.

Hard work brings reward “I busted my butt day in and day out.

At the end of the day, if I didn’t get a

chance … was it disappointing? I always knew there were people that were better than me. [But] I was ready to go, I prepared well enough, I lifted weights enough. I was ready if I would get in there,” Petersen says.

In college, Petersen concentrated on being a long snapper for the punters and kickers.

His career total of three plays was three snaps for extra points.

Persuing a dream Friends, his high school coach, and SDSU Coach John Stiegelmeier encouraged him to give it a try. “Our deal, we push guys to pursue their dream. You don’t know the heart until they get out there. He was in band at the time. It was our philosophy” to not deny a player a chance, Stiegelmeier says.

So when fall camp started in August 2001, Petersen was there with the scholarship players giving it the collegiate try.

And try he did.

Petersen was working hard every day, Stiegelmeier says. “Those guys are a picture to those guys who are getting to play [regularly],” the coach says. “Guys James Petersen, at 5-9 and 175 pounds, poses with his father, Greg, after a spring practice in 2003, his junior season. Petersen, who played only three plays in his career, is used by Coach John Stiegelmeier as an example of perseverance and giving back.

SPRING 2012

25

DONOR spotlight JAMES Petersen

“The heartbeat of a football team is something special to be a part of.” John Stiegelmeier And for that he earned a scholarship his senior season. Actually, it wasn’t for those three snaps. It was for three previous seasons of hard work.

“Those are the most fun ones for me,” Stiegelmeier says of the scholarship. “The guys you award for things above and beyond for starting playing time or backup ability. Our program is built on pursuing your dream. I remember feeling really good about that. Maybe not as good as he did.”

Petersen says, “I was completely surprised … There’s no way I ever thought I would get a scholarship. I just assumed they would give scholarships to players that play on the field.”

That is the way it usually works.

‘A great opportunity’ But Stiegelmeier notes, “I think we’ve had a number of guys [walk on and persevere] because we give them a chance. We’ve had a number of guys that stayed the tough course a lot longer than the average guy and have reached some rewards, but not all become starters.

“The heartbeat of a football team is something special to be a part of.

James is at the top of the list for guys like that.”

Petersen certainly didn’t become a starter, but “for me it was a great opportunity to meet a lot of great guys and be part of something bigger than myself. Three plays in my four years— that didn’t matter to me. The kickers and punters appreciated [having a snapper in practice].

I would have liked to have played more, but I certainly wasn’t the biggest, strongest, or fastest one out there. My experience, I wouldn’t trade it for the world.”

Giving early, still giving What he did trade was his scholarship.

Per NCAA rules, his scholarship award was spilt between fall and spring semesters. Petersen wasn’t expecting money in spring semester 2005, when his football days had ended and he was working at a paid internship. “That didn’t sit very well with me,” he recalls.

Petersen remembers Stiegelmeier telling him, “‘You deserve it, you keep it,’” and rules prevented the award from being taken back.

He told the coach, “Well, you’re going to see it again.”

So shortly after Petersen graduated in May 2005 with his degree in agriculture and biosystems engineering, Petersen wrote out a $1,000 check to the football scholarship fund. He has continued to give $500 to $1,000 per year to the fund.

“We’ve had some guys give back a little earlier than others, but in terms of [returning a] scholarship, no one has done that,” Stiegelmeier says.

For Petersen, “I just didn’t feel right.

I wanted to give it to somebody who could use it.” He continues to give and to tell his story simply because he wants to support Jackrabbit football. “I’ve always told Stig that. He and I are on the same page.”

The coach adds, “A lot of guys wanted more [money] or don’t look back. He looked back and gave back early.”

Dave Graves

The Jackrabbit Club supports scholarships for the 21 varsity sport programs at South Dakota State University On behalf of over 450 student-athletes –

THANK YOU! To get involved in 2012 please visit GoJacks.com and click “Donate” or give us a call at 1-866-GoJacks

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Rabbit Tracks

Football

Fall 2012

Athletics Schedule

Date Opponent: Location, Time Sept. 01 Kansas: Lawrence, Kan., TBA Sept. 08 Southeastern Louisiana: Hammond, La., TBA Sept. 15 UC Davis (Cereal Bowl):

Coughlin-Alumni Stadium, 2 p.m.

Sept. 22 Indiana State: Terre Haute, Ind., TBA*

Volleyball

Sept. 29 Missouri State (Beef Bowl):

Coughlin-Alumni Stadium, 6 p.m.

Date Opponent: Location, Time

Oct. 13

Western Illinois (Hall of Fame Game): Coughlin-Alumni Stadium, 6 p.m.*

Aug. 18 Yellow and Blue Scrimmage: Frost, 7 p.m.

Oct. 20

Northern Iowa: Cedar Falls, Iowa, TBA*

Aug. 24

Hawkeye Challenge: Iowa City, Iowa Southeast Missouri State, 2 p.m., Iowa, 7 p.m.

Oct. 27 Youngstown State (Hobo Day):

Coughlin-Alumni Stadium, 2 p.m.*

Aug. 25

Hawkeye Challenge: Iowa City, Iowa Chicago State, 10 a.m., Valparaiso, 2 p.m.

Nov. 03

Southern Illinois: Carbondale, Ill., TBA*

Nov. 10

North Dakota State: Fargo, N.D., TBA*

Aug. 31

Gonzaga Tournament: Spokane, Wash.

Gonzaga, Eastern Wash.

Nov. 17

South Dakota: Coughlin-Alumni Stadium, 2 p.m.*

Sept. 1

Gonzaga Tournament: Spokane, Wash.

Cal-Riverside

Sept. 7

SDSU Tournament: Brookings Green Bay, 7 p.m.

Sept. 8

SDSU Tournament (Parent’s Night): Brookings Bradley vs Green Bay, 1 p.m., Alumni match, 3 p.m.

Bradley, 7 p.m.

* Missouri Valley Football Conference. Schedule subject to change.

Soccer Date Opponent: Location, Time Aug. 08

Minnesota: Brookings, 6 p.m.**

Aug. 10

Nebraska: Brookings, 5 p.m.**

Aug. 17

Green Bay: Green Bay, Wis. 7 p.m.

Aug 19

Sept. 21 IUPUI: Brookings, 7 p.m.*

Wisconsin: Madison, Wis., 1 p.m.

(Kansas Invitational Tournament)

Sept. 22 WIU: Brookings, 7 p.m.*

Aug 24

UNLV: Lawrence, Kan., 2:30 p.m.

Sept. 26 Valparaiso: Valparaiso, Ind., 7 p.m.

Aug 26

Georgia: Lawrence, Kan., 10:30 a.m.

Sept. 28 IPFW: Fort Wayne, Ind., 7 p.m.*

Aug 31

Drake: Brookings, 6 p.m.

Sept. 29 Oakland: Rochester, Mich., 7 p.m.*

Sep 07

North Dakota: Grand Forks, N.D., 4 p.m.

Sept. 14 Nebraska-Omaha: Omaha, Neb., 7 p.m.* Sept. 16 NDSU (Club/HS Night): Brookings, 5 p.m.*

Oct. 5

UMKC: Brookings, 7 p.m.*

Sep 14

Iowa State: Brookings, 6 p.m.

Oct. 6

South Dakota: Brookings, 7 p.m.*

Sep 16

Northern Iowa: Brookings, 1 p.m.

Oct. 9

Northern Iowa: Cedar Falls, Iowa, 6 p.m.*

Sep 19

Creighton: Omaha, Neb., 6 p.m.

Oct. 12

Nebraska-Omaha (Dig Pink): Brookings, 7 p.m.*

Sep 29

North Dakota State: Fargo, N.D., 1 p.m.*

Oct. 19

Western Illinois: Macomb, Ill., 7 p.m.*

Oct 05

IPFW: Fort Wayne, Ind., 7 p.m.*

Oct. 20

IUPUI: Indianapolis, Ind., 5 p.m.*

Oct 07

Oakland: Rochester, Mich., 1 p.m.*

Oct. 26

Oakland: Brookings, 7 p.m.*

Oct 12

IUPUI: Brookings, 6 p.m.*

Oct. 27

IPFW (Senior Night): Brookings, 7 p.m.*

Oct 14

Western Illinois: Brookings, 1 p.m.*

Oct. 30

Iowa State: Brookings, 7 p.m.

Oct 19

UMKC: Brookings, 6 p.m.*

Nov. 2

South Dakota: Vermillion, 7 p.m.*

Oct 21

South Dakota: Brookings, 1 p.m.*

Nov. 4

UMKC: Kansas City, Mo., 7 p.m.*

Oct 26

Nebraska-Omaha: Omaha, Neb., TBD*

Nov. 10

NDSU: Fargo, N.D., 7 p.m.*

Nov 2-4 Summit League Tournament: Brookings, TBA

Nov. 16 & 17 Summit League Tournament: Fargo, N.D., TBD

Nov 9-11 NCAA Championships First Round: TBA

* Summit League match. Schedule subject to change.

* Summit League match. ** Exhibition. Schedule subject to change.

SPRING 2012

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Spring Review Jacks send five to regional track and field meet Those marks and a third-place finish in the triple jump earned Vlastuin the male field championship most valuable player. He also earned that award at this year’s indoor championship.

Garner, a product of Rapid City Stevens, set the school record in discus with a throw of 173-3 at the University of Sioux Falls Relays May 5. She set the school record in the hammer with a throw of 197-09 at the Wayne State Classic March 30.

Paulzine set the school record in the javelin with a throw of 149-09 at the North Dakota State University Dual May 4.

Wirth, a product of Sioux Falls Lincoln and the school record holder in the high jump at 5-9 ¾ in 2011, went 5-8 ½ in winning the Summit League championship May 10 in Fargo.

As a team, SDSU men finished fourth at the conference championship with 112.5 points and titles from Brinkmann (discus), Vlastuin (long jump) and Jake Schneller (800 meters).

SDSU women finished fifth with 89 points. Wirth (high jump) was the lone title winner.

Baseball

F

ive Jackrabbits qualified to compete in seven field events at the NCAA West Regional preliminary round that started May 24 at the University of Texas.

All of them are school record holders. Less than 100 Division I student-athletes qualify in each event for regional competition (forty-eight entries from both the East and West) with only the top twelve from those regions reaching the NCAA championship.

The Summit League is represented by fifty-two competitors and on the men’s side all but one event is covered.

The SDSU qualifiers, class, hometown, and events: Jared Vlastuin, senior, Lennox, high jump, long jump; Jake Brinkmann, senior, Plato, Minnesota, hammer throw; Brooke Garner, junior, Rapid City, hammer, discus; Mary Wirth, sophomore, Sioux Falls, high jump; and Amy Paulzine, sophomore, Fulda, Minnesota, javelin.

Vlastuin and Garner are among two of only seven Summit athletes to qualify in multiple events.

Brinkmann, a product of Mayer Lutheran High School, set the school record in the hammer with a throw of 195-01 at the University of Sioux Falls Relays May 5.

Vlastuin set the school record in the long jump by winning the Summit League championship May 10 in Fargo with a leap of 25-4. At the meet, he also matched his best high jump of the year by going 6-11.

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Rabbit Tracks

Under first-year coach Dave Schrage, SDSU’s baseball team finished 18-33-1 (7-14 in Summit). The team was hit hard by injuries and failed to reach the conference tournament after playing in the conference championship each of the previous three seasons.

The team did see some individual success as senior Eric Cain set the mark for career games played (218, breaking the mark of 216 set by assists. The old mark was 380 by Pat Schmidt (1992-95).

He finished in the top ten in seven other categories, including walks (116) and at-bats (820).

softball In the first year under coach Kim Aggabao, SDSU’s softball team finished 13-27-1 (5-16 in Summit). The overall win total matched the 2011 mark while playing 13 fewer games.

The team did not place any players on the first or second team for the Summit League.

However, the Jacks only had two seniors on the team, and Aggabao already has inked new talent for 2013.

Compiled by Dave Graves Pictured: Senior Jared Vlastuin, shown here competing in the long jump at the SDSU Twilight Open April 25, 2011, at Brookings High School, qualified for this year’s NCAA West Regional in the high jump and long jump. He was one of five SDSU athletes to qualify in seven different events.

Drive seeks funding for scholarships

T

wo of the Athletic Department’s newest arrivals are taking on one of its biggest challenges.

Coordinator of Athletic Development Slade Larscheid and Assistant Coordinator of Athletic Development Nik Aamlid, have been given a major task at hand: increase scholarship dollars for current and future student-athletes.

Both on the job since September 2011, Larscheid and Aamlid are responsible for raising funds through the Jackrabbit Club—the SDSU Athletic Department’s annual fundraising arm.

Larscheid oversees the Jackrabbit Club and works closely with donor relations and Aamlid is the point person for reconnecting former SDSU studentathletes to the University.

Donations to the Jackrabbit Club, which is open to anyone, totaled more than $530,000 from 1,200 members last year. “We’ve had great support from current athletic donors, our focus is to continue to expand the Jackrabbit Club and communicate the importance of philanthropic giving to our studentathletes,” Larscheid says. Contributions become a vital resource for an Athletic Department that annually awards $3 million in scholarships.

The springtime push for Jackrabbit Club donations coincides with a plan to coordinate football and basketball season ticket sales in the spring, as well.

“We chose to start transitioning our renewal time period for Jackrabbit Club donations and season tickets from March through June. This helps us become more efficient and grow our

numbers with prospective donors and season-ticket holders,” Larscheid says.

Aside from the Spring Fund Drive for the Jackrabbit Club, Larscheid and Aamlid are also spearheading the Jackrabbit Athletics Scholarship Auction and Stan Marshall Golf Classic (see below for dates and information).

“The auction and golf tournament are great events for our fans and donors to enjoy Jackrabbit camaraderie and share their generosity to SDSU Athletics,” Aamlid says.

SDSU family tradition for Aamild It was only natural that Aamlid attend State. His grandparents, parents, and wife are all SDSU graduates.

“We have a long line of SDSU ties,” Aamlid says.

Nik Aamlid A defensive end for two years on the Jacks’ football team before a shoulder injury cut his career short, Aamlid earned degrees in consumer affairs and business economics in 2009. He earned a master’s degree in sports administration from Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee, where he also worked as an athletic development assistant.

Aamlid has relished the chance to return to SDSU. “It’s a privilege to be able to come back and connect with former studentathletes and have the opportunity to be

part of SDSU Athletics during such an exciting time,” Aamlid says.

South Dakota ties for Larscheid, too A Spearfish native, Larscheid earned his degree in communications studies in 2006 at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois.

He was a threetime letterwinner Slade Larscheid for the Wildcat football team and an academic All-Big Ten recipient.

He followed that by earning a master’s degree at Northwestern in sports administration in 2008.

Prior to moving back to South Dakota, Larscheid worked as the director of development at Northern Illinois University in DeKalb where he coordinated the Huskie Athletic Scholarship Fund. His efforts resulted in back-to-back years that set records for the number of donors and donations with more than 1,500 members and donations of $1.4 million.

Larscheid boasts some deep roots of his own at SDSU. His aunt is former women’s basketball coach Nancy Neiber.

“I was born and raised following the Jacks,” Larscheid says.

Dana Hess

Important Dates To Remember June 30, 2012 Jackrabbit Club renewal deadline

July 15, 2012 Basketball season ticket renewal deadline

For more information, please visit GoJacks.com or e-mail Slade Larscheid at slade.larscheid@sdsufoundation.org or Nik Aamlid at nik.aamlid@sdsufoundation.org.

Athletics Department Box 2820 Brookings, SD 57007-1497

NON-PROFIT US POSTAGE PAID BROOKINGS SD PERMIT 24

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

2012-13 SDSU Basketball 2012-13 Basketball Season Tickets Order now for season tickets for all home regular season men’s and women’s games.

For more information or to order call 1-866-GoJacks or online at gojacks.com.