April 6, 2022

April 6, 2022 SDSU’S STUDENT-RUN INDEPENDENT NEWSPAPER SINCE 1885

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The South Dakota State Jackrabbits won the WNIT Championship against Seton Hall 82-50 on Saturday, April 2 at Frost Arena. See PHOTOS AND STORY, A12-13 and A20.

WE’RE NATIONAL CHAMPS!

Photo by DAVE EGGEN/INERTIA

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NEWS

April 6, 2022

SUBMITTED PHOTO

Dancers performing at a past Wacipi event. This year’s event is the first in three years and will take place this weekend.

Wacipi celebration returns to Frost Arena JACOB BOYKO News Editor (He/Him)

South Dakota State University’s annual Wacipi event returns this year to Frost Arena as a two-day powwow April 9 and April 10 featuring Native American food, dancing and other cultural staples.

Wacipi, meaning “to dance” in the Dakota language, is an annual celebration where people gather to sing, dance, renew friendships and forge new ones, as well as an “opportunity to honor individuals, conduct giveaways, hold naming ceremonies and celebrate life,” the SDSU Wacipi/ Pow-Wow guide reads.

Luann Miner has been involved with the American Indian Student Association (AISA) since 2018. Now a senior and the club’s president, Miner has a direct role in planning the first Wacipi in three years.

“During the planning process, there are always ups and downs, but we never let that stop us completely,” Miner said. “We are on the last stretch of finalizing and putting the last pieces together after months of hard work.”

The powwow will begin with the Grand Entry.

During the Grand Entry, flag bearers, honor guard, dignitaries, powwow royalty and honored guests will enter. Following them are dancers in age-based categories. Golden Age, or the elderly, will enter first and the categories will get progressively younger. The last dancers in the Grand Entry are the Tiny Tots. The Grand Entry will be held three times throughout the weekend: Saturday at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m., and Sunday at 1 p.m.

Selena Olvera, the program coordinator at the

American Indian Student Center, anticipates about 500 people in attendance over the weekend. She encourages non-Native American students and community members to show up as well.

“It’s just a good way to see our culture,” Olvera said.

“We want to bridge the cultural gap to show people who we really are.”

Miner also encourages anyone interested to show up to the Wacipi and attend AISA meetings.

“Students should check out our event to see the beauty in regalia, songs and dancing,” Miner said. “It would be a great opportunity to share our culture and tradition with everyone.”

SDSU students with their student I.D. will receive free admission, as well as anyone over 55 and children under seven. Admission for everyone else is $6.

One special dance featured is the Velva Lu Spencer Jingle Dress Special. In a jingle dress dance, women wear dresses adorned with hundreds of little cones, or jingles. Spencer was a Native American advisor from 1988 to 2003 and is whom Spencer Hall is named after.

“We’re working with [Spencer’s] family to host that and to honor and remember her,” Olvera said.

Indian tacos will be sold over the weekend, and a free community meal will be held Saturday night featuring soup, fry bread and a traditional berry pudding called Wojapi.

According to Olvera, the event was a two-day celebration until about 2010 when it switched to a one-day event. Meanwhile, the University of South Dakota continued with a two-day event, and many in the Native American community went to Vermillion’s event instead. By returning to a two-day event this year, Olve-

ra hopes to make SDSU’s Wacipi the definitive college powwow.

In future Wacipis, Olvera hopes to incorporate another traditional powwow mainstay: princess competitions. Native American girls are judged by their dancing and by their involvement within the community through language and culture.

Vice President for Student Affairs Michaela Willis encouraged students to attend the Wacipi at Monday’s Students’ Association meeting and said anyone interested in volunteering to help at the event should reach out.

“If you’ve never been to a Wacipi, it’s a really fun experience,” Willis said. “So enjoy the opportunity to get involved.”

IF YOU GO: When: April 9 from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. and April 10 from 1 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Cost: $6, or free for SDSU students with student ID and anyone under 7 or over 55.

Where: Frost Arena

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April 6, 2022

STUDENTS’ ASSOCIATION BRIEF

NEWS

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Budget updates, Partner of the Year award JACOB BOYKO News Editor He/Him During the April 4 South Dakota State University Students’ Association meeting, senators were addressed by the vice president for finance and budget.

Michael Holbeck approved a constitution, awarded faculty, passed an amendment and approved the fiscal year 2023 general budget.

Holbeck: According to Holbeck, SDSU has an operating authority of about $308 million, which is broken up into three separate agencies. The university proper’s operating authority is about $249.2 million, while the Ag Experiment Station is $40.4 million and SDSU Extension at $18.5 million.

In 2011, SDSU began taking general

activity fee (GAF) replacement from online students to replace lost GAF money as more students began transitioning from campus to online. Last year, the combined total of GAF and replacement GAF was about $12.2 million overall. The GAF is based on the prior year’s allocation plus price inflation and specific increases, like for the expanded Wellness Center services.

“We’re getting close to that first Wellness Center payoff” in 2026 or 2027, Holbeck said. “We went a lot of years without big investments in bonds, both in residential life and in our auxiliaries.”

Holbeck said his office tries to operate the bonds as efficiently as possible.

“If we’re able to get a lower interest rate and refinance those, that’s what we do,” Holbeck said.

Global Studies Club: Molly Enz, the Global Studies Club

adviser, spoke on behalf of the club’s president, who was ill. Enz said the club discovered earlier this year they were not listed on Jacks Club Hub and weren’t sure why. This semester, the club is hosting the World Languages and Cultures Film Festival along with other student organizations.

“We have been active,” Enz said. “We just didn’t realize we needed to update our constitution.”

The Senate approved the Global Studies Club constitution unanimously.

Awards: The Students Association presented awards to two faculty members.

Erica Quam, a professional adviser from the School of Communication and Journalism, and Gerald Wang, a professor from the Ness School of Management and Economics, were each given the Campus Partner of the Year

Award. Two faculty members unable to attend, Lisa Hager and Angie Courteau, will be presented their awards at a later SA meeting.

Other: The Senate unanimously approved the fiscal year 2023 budget. Finance Chair Kordell Feldhaus said the goal was to keep 70% of the SA’s yearly allocation in reserve. Senator Michael Garofalo thanked Feldhaus for keeping the needs of performing arts students in mind during budgeting.

The Senate also unanimously passed Amendment 21-10-A. The amendment revises SA signature requirements needed to be added to an election ballot.

Previous rules required senators to collect either 50 signatures or signatures from 5% of their college’s students.

The new amendment changed the 5% threshold to 3.5%.

SA/University Activity Fee Budgeting Committee, Fiscal year 2023 general budget

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NEWS

April 6, 2022

Brianna Doran runs for Brookings City Council GRACIE TERRALL Managing Editor (She/Her) Brianna Doran, a South Dakota State University graduate student from the Department of Communications and Journalism (COJO), is running for a oneyear term on the Brookings City Council.

Although she is young, Doran said she is prepared to serve the community and address Brookings’ needs.

“I’ve worked with a variety of families and individuals in our community and seen their dreams and their challenges,” Doran said. “I saw the importance of partnership and the effect that policy can have. I decided to run because I understood the position and I had that desire to do more and I had the partnership, so I feel that I can be really effective.”

Doran mentioned two studies the city is working on that she is following closely.

The economic spending study and housing study are important initiatives Doran hopes will improve the community. The foundations of her campaign, however, are tackling economic stability, affordable housing and entertainment in Brookings.

“When I was deciding to run, I heard three statements repeatedly and it was ‘I want a safe home that I can afford, I want a good job and I want to have fun in this town,’” she said.

Doran said she hopes to expand workforce development by communicating with community partners like the Brookings Economic Development Corporation, the Chamber of Commerce and private businesses. Entertainment improvement would involve maintaining the parks and recreation systems and promoting more events at the Swiftel Center and Oscar Larson Performing Arts Center.

“When someone comes into town, they can get engaged in community service; they can have fun on the weekends, they have a good job, they have a great place to live, and that’s how they’re gonna stay here long term,” she said.

Doran has worked as the director for communications and impact at Brookings United Way for four years. There, she has

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Brianna Doran, a graduate student at SDSU, is planning to run for a position on Brookings City Council. Elections will be held April 12.

worked with nonprofit organizations in Brookings County.

Doran has also served as the chair for the Brookings Disability Awareness Committee, a member of the public affairs committee with the Chamber of Commerce and is a Leadership Brookings graduate. In November 2021, Doran was the winner of the Mayor’s Generational Leadership award.

Matilyn Kerr, SDSU program adviser for university traditions, met Doran on

the Hobo Day Committee when they were both students in 2016. Kerr likened Doran to popular fictional character Leslie Knope from the show “Parks and Recreations,” saying they have a similar drive and willingness to take on projects and community advocacy.

“She really puts her heart into the things she cares about,” Kerr said. “I don’t think you put your heart into nonprofits without being someone that is very caring and compassionate about things

and wanting to make a difference.”

Doran graduated from her undergrad at SDSU in 2018 with a bachelor’s degree in apparel merchandising and minors in event facilities administration, leadership and marketing. She is currently a graduate assistant in COJO and working on her master’s degree in communication.

During her undergraduate program, Doran was involved with the Hobo Day Committee, Greek Life, University Programs Council and served on the Students’ Association.

As a former SDSU student, Doran said she recognized the need to get more students involved with the community and so she created a platform for students to share their voices. One of Doran’s plans if she wins is to introduce potential office hours for council members or town hall meetings where students can attend and voice any concerns or communicate with council members.

“If we want to involve students, we have to be accessible to them,” Doran said.

Betsey Williams, a junior theater and political science major at SDSU, likes that Doran is thinking about student involvement during her campaign.

“We are a part of the Brookings Community as SDSU students, and sometimes we can feel isolated simply because we are on campus and not necessarily out in the community as much,” Williams said. “I think it’s a wonderful idea to keep the SDSU students involved in the community, to have their voices heard about specific issues and just informing them about what the community is deciding.”

Brookings City Council and School Board elections are Tuesday, April 12.

Doran is also running against fellow COJO student, Andrew Rassmussen.

“It’s very exciting to have students express an interest in politics, especially local politics, and to have the willingness and a desire for our students to serve their community,” COJO Department Head Joshua Westwick said of Doran and Rassmussen. “We are thrilled for the both of them and excited that they’re exploring this possibility and we’re grateful for their willingness to serve.”

sdsucollegian.com

April 6, 2022

NEWS

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Students’ Association election results

TESSA ERDMANN

Reporter

Eight students won competitive elections to serve their colleges as senators for the next school year.

The College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences and the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences each elected four students to serve as senators March 29 and 30.

These two colleges were the only ones with competitive elections; every other college’s senators won by default, with some colleges even having a surplus of seats.

These eight students will be the voice for the students on the campus throughout their term as senators. Each senator says they hope to make a positive impact while in their position this coming year.

Five individuals ran for the four CAFES Senate seats. Tyler Rasmussen, Jessica Kott, Trinity Peterson and Ryder Mortenson weere elected to the positions.

Rasmussen is a freshman studying agricultural business from Brookings, South Dakota.

After hearing about the Students’ Association from his cousin and how it would allow him to be a voice for the people on campus, he said he knew that this was something he was excited to do.

“I thought it would be fun to represent the people. I have had some people tell me what needs to be changed, and I figured I’d run and change them together,” Rasmussen said.

Rasmussen says he wants to rework the parking system, fix the appliances in the dorms and intro-

duce two excused absence forms for when students are going to do something off-campus related to their major. To help make these three things possible, he says he hopes to serve on the Government Affairs and Parking Committees.

Kott is a Junior from Kimball, South Dakota, studying agricultural business. She was an at-large senator last year, which led her to wanting to run for a CAFES position for the next term. Her main objectives during her running process were to advocate for mental health, transparency and improving students’ daily lives.

“I saw all the positive things students get out of running and being a part of Students’ Association,” Kott said. “I have seen how impactful it is, and I want to be part of the positive impact as well.”

One thing Kott says she hopes to do is help advocate for two excused absences for specific mental health days for each class.

Peterson is a freshman studying agricultural education and political science from Willow Lake, South Dakota. Peterson has always had a love for agriculture and government, so when she came to SDSU, she knew that this was something that she was looking forward to. Peterson says she hopes to be involved in helping make changes to counseling services and overseeing the transition of food providers and laundry services.

Peterson saw within her first two semesters at SDSU that there are a lot of areas for improvement.

Even in high school when Peterson was elected to student council, she had her mind set on helping

the students. According to Peterson, her plans as a senator is to have the students in mind as well.

“I ran because I wanted to make a positive impact and serve as a voice for the students of SDSU,” Peterson said. “This is incredibly important to me.”

Mortenson is a sophomore studying agricultural business and business economics from Winner, South Dakota. After running last year and being elected as a senator-at-large, he decided he wanted to jump in a little deeper this year and run for CAFES Senate.

“I believe in student government in all aspects,” Mortenson said. “Having the students’ input and being the voice and resource for them really excites me.”

Mortenson hopes to serve on the Finance Committee as he believes it is “one of the most important committees on Students’ Association.” He wants to better the communication between departments in CAFES and get more employers at the career fair in the fall.

Eight individuals ran for the four senator positions for CAHSS. Rachel Goldsmith, Michael Garofalo, Betsey Williams and Nick Grote are the four individuals elected.

Rachel Goldsmith is a junior from Mobridge, South Dakota, studying history. She was elected in 2020 as a senator-at-large and fell in love with the organization.

“The organization is students who devote some of their time to make other students’ lives better as a whole, so other students don’t have to worry about it,” Goldsmith said.

Her focus for this year is working to help build relationships with other clubs on campus.

Read more online at SDSUCOLLEGIAN.COM

Election Results President & Vice Presdient Blake Pulse & Anna Shane College of Agriculture, Food & Environmental Sciences Jessica Kott Ryder Mortenson Trinity Peterson Tyler Rasmussen College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences Betsey Williams Rachel Goldsmith Nicholas Grote Michael Garofalo Jerome J. Lohr College of Engineering Caleb Huizinga Grant Sternhagen Natalie Poppens College of Natural Sciences Harley Fischer Hunter Eide College of Nursing Madison Fitch Graduate School Kyle Shapcott

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sdsucollegian.com

April 6, 2022

Scobey Hall to be demolished this month ALLISON BRUNS Reporter Scobey Hall, a building on the far west edge of the South Dakota State University campus, will be torn down this month after sitting empty for five years.

The building was permanently closed in spring 2017 because of a variety of problems, forcing faculty offices, classrooms and academic departments to find new homes.

During the 2019 legislative session, the South Dakota Board of Regents sponsored House Bill 1038 in an effort to get clearance for the demolition. That bill passed.

According to a bill brief from SDBOR, Scobey Hall needs substantial repairs, “including items such as heating, cooling and chiller replacement, asbestos abatement, basement and sump system repair, elevator, fire, and electrical service upgrades, accessibility and life safety code upgrades,” making it a prime demolition candidate.

Since it was decided that the building would be demolished, legislative action was needed. HB 1038 granted the university the approval needed to tear the building down.

Matthew Weiss, an architect and project manager for designArc Group, is the project manager for the Scobey Hall demolition. He said the initial architectural demolition estimate was about $470,000, but the actual cost to demolish the building will be $439,870.

The bill brief said the cost “will be paid for using ‘other funds’ from local university or private sources.”

“The cost to abate the asbestos was projected to be more expensive than it would be to demolish the facility,” Weiss said.

Weiss has not heard any negative comments about the demolition. He has spoken to SDSU alumni who have had experiences in Scobey, and he said they are excited to hear that the hall is being torn down.

Weiss said he thinks it’s important to honor the building by keeping

blueprints and other documents to remember important dates and specific details of Scobey.

“As an architect, I generally don’t enjoy the idea of demolishing a historic building,” Weiss said. “So, to me, it is important to preserve the history of the building as best as I can on paper.”

According to Weiss, as of now, SDSU does not have plans for the Scobey Hall site. It will become a green space.

The 43,687 square-foot Scobey Hall was built in 1940, and it has served SDSU in several ways. It was originally used as the men’s dormitory for agriculture and mechanic arts until 1973.

Until it closed in 2017, it housed classrooms and several academic departments, including the Department of Economics, the Department of Psychology and the Department of Sociology and Rural Studies.

DesignArc Group, the local architecture firm, was selected last July to do the demolition, according to Weiss, and they will work alongside SDSU Facilities and Services to get the building torn down. A contractor that will perform the demolition has also been selected through a competitive bid process.

Dennis Hedge, the provost and vice president of student affairs, was involved in the relocation of faculty when Scobey closed. The departments were moved to other campus buildings until space was available.

Hedge said that until the renovation of Harding Hall was complete, the economics department was relocated to the DePuy Military Hall.

Hansen Hall became the location for the departments of sociology and rural studies and psychology, where they stayed until the two departments formed a new school and found a permanent residence in the Agricultural Engineering building last semester.

“The challenge in identifying permanent homes was identifying spaces that would allow departments to move in their entirety as a unit and sequencing of construction projects, thus freeing spaces for the relocation of the departments,” Hedge said.

Collegian photo by SAM SCHOENBAUER (She/Her) Scobey Hall, which has been closed for five years, will be demolished sometime this month.

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April 6, 2022

NEWS

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State A Thon aims to raise $150,000 this year Boyken is a morale leader for State A Thon. Her duty is to motivate her fundraising team to raise money and to be involved in fundraising events. She also helps create the morale dance and gets to work hands-on with some of the Miracle families that will be participating at the event.

State A Thon is part of a nationwide movement which is affiliated with Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals.

There are over 300 campuses across the United States that work to raise money for the movement. All of SDSU’s donations from State A Thon go to the nearest Children’s Miracle Network hospital, Sanford Children’s Castle of Care in Sioux Falls, to support children in the area.

SDSU’s State A Thon is a standalone student organization that started in 2001. According to the organization’s Instagram account, SDSU State A Thon has raised a total of almost $1.5 million since its start.

For the past four years, Matilyn Kerr, SDSU program adviser for university traditions, has been the “boots-on-theground adviser” for the event. She has been involved in State A Thon since she was an undergraduate student in 2012.

SUBMITTED In a past State A Thon fundraiser, students paid a fee to smash a donated car.

DASAN SASSE Reporter The South Dakota State University’s State A Thon event is this Saturday, and the organization hopes to raise $150,000 for Children’s Miracle Network. The check-in begins at 9 a.m. for the annual 11-hour dance marathon in the Volstorff Ballroom and will end at 8 p.m.

“Be prepared to have fun,” said Alissa Findley, State A Thon overall coordinator.

This year’s event has a carnival theme titled, “A Million Miracle.” Participants will be taught a “morale dance,” which is performed each hour. In addition, they will play mini-games and hear stories told by Miracle families.

Findley said the event is a good way to get involved on campus while doing something positive for the community.

“I dance because I want the kids to have the childhood they deserve,” Bryn Boyken, senior human biology major, said.

“Your involvement can totally be what you want it to be,” Kerr said.

She said coming to the event is the best way to see the effect it has on the Miracle children, the community and Children’s Miracle Network.

Anybody can sign up to participate in the event. People can sign up on the SDSU State A Thon Donor Drive website. A link for the website can be found on the organization’s Instagram and Facebook pages. There you can sign-up to be a dancer, a donor or to join a fundraising group.

How to Sign up: 1. Go to “SDSU State A Thon” on Instagram or Facebook 2. Click on the events. dancemarathon.com link in the pages’ bio.

3. Choose to Register or Donate.

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sdsucollegian.com

April 6, 2022

Stampede rodeo makes its return CHLOE RISSE Reporter ​The Swiftel Center staff and the South Dakota State University Rodeo Team have both been working hard to prepare for the 66th annual Jackrabbit Stampede. There is a lot of excitement for the rodeo, since it has been canceled for the last two years because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Swiftel Center is expecting a crowd of over 2,000 people per performance, with the largest crowd on Saturday night. The Swiftel has been busy converting from last weekend’s “Hairball” concert into an arena in time for the Stampede.

“We are in charge of set up/tear down, staffing, ticketing, marketing and event management for the rodeo,” General Manager Mike Logan, said.

While the Swiftel Center staff is busy creating an arena, the SDSU rodeo team

has been practicing to be able to perform well in front of Jackrabbit nation for the first time in many of the team members’ cases.

Jordan Jehn, a junior who competes in barrel racing, goat tying and breakaway roping, spoke about what she hopes it will feel like to perform in front of the Brookings audience for the first time as a three-year rodeo team member.

“I think I’ll like being able to have my friends from classes come watch me. A lot of them have never seen me compete before or anything,” Jehn said.

The men’s and women’s teams are both sitting at 4th in the Great Plains Region out of 13 teams. One member, Chance Grill, has been performing well and is currently 2nd in the region for the title of All-Around Cowboy, 10th in TieDown Roping and 1st in Steer-Wrestling.

“I don’t feel any pressure with my standing, as I’ve been in situations similar to this all my life,” Grill said. “To me,

the Stampede is just another rodeo to go out and compete how we’ve been practicing.”

Madison Rotenberger, another junior on the team, talked about how proud she is of the team as the year’s progressed.

“We have a lot of young cowgirls and cowboys, and the improvements they’ve made inside the arena are phenomenal,” Rotenberger said.

Over 15 schools and 270 rodeo contestants will travel up to 5,500 miles to perform this weekend in Brookings. The first performance will be held Friday, April 8 at 7:30 p.m. The activities will continue Saturday, April 9 with performances at 1:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Adult tickets are $26 and children ages 3-12 tickets are $19. SDSU students can watch the rodeo for $20 with their student ID.

Great Plains Region Rodeo Standings Colton Carlson (7th/All-Around Cowboy, 3rd/Tie-Down Roping & 5th/Team Roping Header) Rafe Wientjes (7th/Tie-Down Roping) Judd Grover (13th/Tie-Down Roping & 1st/ Team Roping Heeler) Garret Arndorfer (15th/Steer Wrestling) Colton Stuva (15th/Team Roping Heeler) Arabella Cook (1st/Barrel Racing) Alix VanderVoort (4th/Barrel Racing) Shaw Nelson (9th/Barrel Racing) Shannon McBride (10th/Barrel Racing) Victoria Skiba (3rd/Goat Tying) Madison Rotenberger (8th/Goat Tying) Tessa Menzel (9th/Goat Tying) Rayha Richert (10th/Goat Tying)

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LIFESTYLES

April 6, 2022

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Professor to premiere documentary at The State Theatre JORDAN RUSCHE Editor-In-Chief (She/Her) Those who walk through Yeager Hall will easily notice the photography on the walls and the South Dakota Newspaper Hall of Fame plaques by the main entrance.

What many might not notice is a lack of representation for the radio and broadcast sides of journalism in South Dakota’s history.

This is something Rocky Dailey, an associate professor in the School of Communications and Journalism (COJO), would like to draw attention to in his upcoming documentary series, “Voices of the Prairie.”

“I started thinking we really need to start telling the story and kind of preserving … the work of some of these people,” Dailey said.

The documentary started in fall 2020 after receiving a grant from South Dakota State University and will tell the story of broadcast in South Dakota and the prominent figures in its history. The first episode largely focuses on the history of radio in South Dakota.

“Radio was the first mass medium, and it was unique in South Dakota, I think, because we’re such a rural community,” Dailey said. “We had newspapers and books and things like that, and a fairly educated population even early on in terms of literacy, but radio was really the first medium that tied the state together that could reach different areas.”

Some notable broadcasters Dailey mentions in his documentary include Verl Thomson, who worked at the first radio broadcast station in Sioux Falls in 1924.

“His radio station that he started was in the basement of his house,” Dailey said.

“So Ginger, his daughter, talks about how it wasn’t uncommon to see one of the hosts or radio engineers sleeping on the couch.”

Other people Dailey plans to mention include Dean Sorenson, who began his radio career in 1957 at 18 years old working at KORN radio in Mitchell, John Goeman, who worked at KJAM Radio in Madison for several decades and Monte Loos, a long time broadcaster and manager at KOTA-TV in Rapid City.

Josh Westwick, director of COJO, expressed his excitement for the project and the opportunities it presents.

“It’s really critical and exciting that … he is chronicling the rich history of broadcasting in South Dakota, and now we’re going to have an opportunity to share that and disseminate that to broad audiences,” Westwick said.

Dailey also says he’s received help from the South Dakota Broadcasters Association, COJO and student assistants to fund, promote and assemble the documentary. This has also opened up opportunities for further interviews, he said.

“It’s kind of a spider web,” Dailey said.

“The college did a story they put on the website of the project, and when that went, I probably got a dozen emails from different people who saw it, who [said] anything from ‘oh, glad you’re doing this,’ to ‘oh, I know so-and-so.’”

Dailey added that the series will help preserve the history of broadcast in the state in an easily accessible format.

“It’s kind of a documentation of this history, which hasn’t really been compiled,” he said. “There are bits and pieces out there, but it hasn’t really been put in a digestible form that kind of tells a story.”

The first episode will premiere at the State Theatre in Sioux Falls April 8. While this event is not open to the public, Dailey says he and others are attempting to get the documentary on PBS, as well.

He also said that he plans to continue to have student involvement for later episodes, and those interested can reach out to his email for more information.

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April 6, 2022

LITTLE SUCES

South Dakota State University’s an International event took place last weeken 99th year and the largest SDSU student-r were nearly 50 events over the two days in competitions, livestock shows an

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Collegian photographs by SAM SCHOENBAUER (She/Her)

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LIFESTYLES

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nnual Little nd. Little I is in its run event. There n judging, fitting nd more.

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1. Judge Jordan Holt shakes Reserve Champion Experienced Showmanship winner Tyanne Geppert’s hand after she shows her bull.

2. From left: Grady Gullickson, 99th Little I manager; Mitchell VanderWal, high point freshman; Isaac Berg, high point upperclassman; Clay Sundberg, Round Robin champion; Kaden Nelson, reserve champion Round Robin; Cody Gifford, 99th Little I assistant manager.

3. A goat presented during one of the goat showmenship events.

4. Little I participants showed their hogs during one of the swine showmenship events.

5. Exhibitors show during the Round Robin event, where each participant must exhibit each class of animal to a panel of judges.

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April 6, 2022

SPORTS

WNIT Winners

Kallie Theisen (12) shoots past Sidney Cooks (14) of the Seton Hall Pirates during Saturday’s WNIT Championship game.

South Dakota State State won its first-ever WNIT title on Saturday in convincing fashion over Seton Hall at Frost Arena. The Jackrabbits, from the Summit League, dominated Seton Hall, from the Big East Conference, in their 82-50 victory. The win capped an impressive turnaround for a Jacks team that started the season 4-7 before coming to life. They won 26 of their last 28 games to finish 29-9. SDSU needed just nine minutes to open up a 20-point lead, much to the delight of the 5,263 fans who attended. They led 40-18 at halftime, 62-31 after three periods, and led by as many as 37 during the final quarter. Their 32-point victory was a WNIT record.

Photographs by DAVE EGGEN/ INTERTIA

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Tylee Irwin dribbles against the Seton Hall Pirates during Saturday’s game.

Top: Fans lineup outside Frost Arena before the WNIT Championship. Saturday’s game saw more than 5,000 fans in Frost.

Middle: Players on the South Dakota State Jackrabbits bench celebrating during the game.

Right: Head woman’s basketball coach Aaron Johnston gets doused by players after winning.

Check out page A20 for a recap of the game and season!

Paiton Burckhard and Myah Selland hold the trophy after defeating Seaton Hall 82-50 for the WNIT Championship.

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sdsucollegian.com

April 6, 2022

Tunnel of Oppression addresses privilege, mental health ANDREA HUETE & BRINA STURM Copy Editor and Lifestyles Editor The Tunnel of Oppression is an event hosted by the Multicultural Center each year. The event took place Tuesday in the Student Union Hobo Day Gallery from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. It was designed by student leaders, faculty and staff to educate the general population about major issues that are happening in their communities and what can be done to help solve the issue.

This year, the Tunnel of Oppression was collaborated on by the Gender & Sexuality Alliance (GSA), Feminist Equality Movement (FEM), American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES), Black Student Alliance (BSA), Facilities & Services Office of Sustainability and the Latin American Student Association (LASA), according to Irakoze Naftari, the retention adviser for African American Programs.

Each collaborator set up interactive activities. The most popular being the FEM club’s wage gap lemonade stand and BSA’s video presentation on privilege.

“The topic we chose was privilege, so our video is focused on micro and macro aggressions,” Adonai Ghebrekidan, BSA president, said. “We had four people talk in the video, one being me. Naomi Wynn, former president of the club, Narlon Wiley and Teneea Rhodes, former executive of the club, also spoke. We also talked about discrimination based on appearance or ethnicity and everything that revolves around it.”

BSA finished off their presentation with an activity including a soccer ball with questions about privilege on it, one being “What is a time that you have been in the minority? How did it feel?”

“One dude came in and he talked about race and how he’s never actually had to talk about race when he was growing up,” Ghebrekidan said. “He had to learn it all when he was in college. As people of the minority, we really have to talk about it right out the womb, so that we know when we’re discriminated against.”

GSA selected the topic of mental

health within the LGBTQ+ Community, focusing on anxiety and depression because it has been discussed within their past meetings.

Free pride pins were spread out in front of a poster board which outlined different situations people may be faced with regarding LGBTQ+ people. The topic got people to describe how they experience the world to a supportive and engaged audience.

“Multiple articles have been published recently, presumably due to the rise in anti-transgender bills within South Dakota, regarding the incredibly high rates of depression and anxiety of LGBTQ+ individuals within the state, estimated at 90%,” Bailey Biegley, president of GSA, said.

Another booth focused on how climate change affects all people differently.

Participants blindly picked a card which outlined a hypothetical living situation, health condition, career and insurance.

Participants were then given scenarios, such as a heat wave, and asked how they would handle or be affected by the scenario.

“We’ll all be affected by climate change, but it’s not going to impact us all equally depending on resources, jobs and situations,” sustainability specialist Jennifer McLaughlin said. “Communities are affected differently, including communities of color, because of redlining.”

In previous years, the Tunnel of Oppression was done virtually.

“Even during COVID, we did a virtual version on one topic versus having multiple presenters. And then last year, we did a hybrid setting. We had a virtual speaker, and then we had presentations instead of an interactive-type environment,” Alex Wood, assistant director of multicultural affairs, said.

Some of the past topics have been the issues at the Southern border with the separation of families, former LASA President Lorena Diaz-Martinez said.

In addition, Nathaniel Condelli, residence hall director, helped the Housing and Residential Life when they participated in the event last year. They presented staged phone recordings which focused on identity and the student

Collegian photos by BRINA STURM (She/They) Student organizations and university offices presented on various topics during this year’s Tunnel of Oppression event. This booth from the Feminist Equality Movement demonstrated the pay gaps between men and women of various races and ethnicities.

experience, Condelli said. They didn’t focus on a specific topic, as they wanted to connect it to identity.

“The exhibits typically center around minority populations and specific examples of how people within those groups have been oppressed throughout history including current examples,” Condelli said.

Condelli added that “the Tunnel of Oppression is extremely impactful and at times uncomfortable to participate in.

These interactive exhibits only give us a glimpse into what people have faced and continue to face. When we can embrace the idea that learning is uncomfortable, we learn to be more empathetic and positively engaged community members.”

sdsucollegian.com

OPINION / LIFESTYLES

April 6, 2022

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Lainey Wilson brings “bell bottom country” to The District

Collegian photo by CHRISTIAN LARSON (He/Him) CHRISTIAN LARSON Reporter (He/Him) A month ago, country breakout star Lainey Wilson was crowned “New Female Artist of the Year” at the 57th Academy of Country Music Awards

while her number-one breakthrough single, “Things A Man Oughta Know” was crowned “Song of the Year.” Wilson made her return to South Dakota April 1, as she headlined The District in Sioux Falls for the first time.

Wilson, who is best known for her 2020 breakthrough single, “Things A

Man Oughta Know,” took the stage with a guitar across her chest for the show’s opener which was a cover of Queen’s 1978 hit single, “Fat Bottomed Girls”, which the 29-year-old Louisiana native absolutely nailed.

Wilson was supported on stage by her backup band which consisted of two guitar players and a drummer.

Before moving into original material, Wilson introduced herself to the crowd.

When describing her music, she put it in one phrase; “bell-bottom country.”

This is a term that explains Wilson in a nutshell, because as you can probably tell from her accent, she’s pretty country.

Throughout her hour-and-fifteenminute performance, Wilson performed multiple songs from her debut album, “Sayin’ What I’m Thinkin’,” as well as some one-off singles and covers.

Wilson was at her best when performing upbeat songs like “LA,” which is a catchy, honky-tonk, dance-fused song or “WWDD” which is a country-rock ode to Dolly Parton. Other highlights from the show were the solo acoustic performance of “Two Story House” which is a moving, folk-influenced bal-

lad that shows off the warmth and soul in Wilson’s voice.

Crowd favorites from the show was her current top five country radio single, “Never Say Never (with Cole Swindell),” and “Things A Man Oughta Know.” The crowd was the most engaged during these songs, singing word-for-word at the top of their lungs.

If there’s any takeaway from this show, it’s that Lainey Wilson is on her way to being the next big star in country music. Her unique image, sound, powerhouse vocals and great songwriting skills were reflected in her performance. Her relaxed stage presence was felt throughout the entire night making it easy to connect with fans.

One thing that kept me starstruck about Wilson as a performer is how open and honest she is. Between each of the songs, she told stories about her journey in music up to this point and cracked jokes about her family. She’s very good at putting an audience at ease and there’s something about her manner that’s incredibly likable.

Upcoming dance concert touches tough topics AVERY STARR Reporter (He/Him) Dancers and choreographers are showcasing their work this weekend at the spring dance concert, “Journey.”

The show will be held at the Oscar Larson Performing Arts Center. Shows will be Friday, April 8 at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, April 9 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, April 10 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $10 each for the public, but students receive free entry with an ID. The show was organized by Dr. Melissa Hauschild-Mork, a dance professor at South Dakota State University.

Hauschild-Mork, along with faculty and staff has been working on the show since auditions in November.

“The biggest challenge with this production is always time,” Hauschild-Mork

said. Hauschild-Mork talked about how SDSU does not have a dance major, just a minor. Because of that, and to respect students’ time, they only meet Thursdays from 3:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. with each choreographer getting 45 minutes. HauschildMork said staying focused with those 45 minutes a week is challenging.

“The show’s theme, Journey, is about the journey we all went through in the last two years,” Hauschild-Mork said.

“Themes are really rooted in the context of students right now. The show addresses things such as depression and the pain of loss. Everyone should relate to the themes.”

With the theme Journey in mind, the words used to inspire different dances, and in the posters advertising the show were “Breathe,” “Pulse,” “Activate,” “Create,” “Discovery,” “Play” and “Exhale.” Hauschild-Mork said these

words came as they were brainstorming the idea of the important parts of a journey.

Hauschild-Mork has helped mentor student choreographers for the show.

This will be the final show for seniors Hailey Haber, Jessica Morey, Olivia Davis and Rebekah Bonnemann.

“As dancers, we are a pretty close community,” Hauschild-Mork said. “There is truly something joyful about mentoring them through their growth as people and as artists. It is exciting to see where their journey will take them.”

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sdsucollegian.com

OPINION

April 6, 2022

EDITORIAL

Issue: Thank you, senior women’s basketball players Heading into the WNIT Championship Saturday, four Jackrabbit seniors knew they were playing in their last collegiate game.

It was apparent within the game’s first few minutes that it would be the memorable sendoff they all deserved. Backed by 5,263 Frost Arena fans, South Dakota State University crushed Seton Hall out of the gate before cruising to an 82-50 win over the Pirates in the most lopsided championship game in tournament history.

And with it came a proper sendoff for Haley Greer, Tylee Irwin, Addison Hirschman and Lauren Rongisch, who all saw their Jackrabbit careers come to an end that day.

So, the Collegian Editorial Board would like to thank those four women’s basketball seniors for their time and dedication to SDSU women’s basketball.

Late in the game, Greer, Irwin, Hirschman and

Rongisch all took the floor together with WNIT tournament MVP Myah Selland. Coach Aaron Johnston later removed the four seniors to a standing ovation as they walked off the court for the final time.

What a perfect way to end your college basketball career – a standing ovation in front of your home fans on your way to celebrating a championship.

It was a fitting ending for them considering the disappointment they felt after losing to USD in the Summit League championship and losing out on a bid to the NCAA Tournament.

Despite that devastating loss to the Coyotes, the Jackrabbits received an invitation to the WNIT and a chance to salvage the season and give the seniors their proper sendoff.

They did not disappoint, playing every game at Frost Arena and winning its first championship since joining Division I. “To be able to end on a win at home, I couldn’t have

asked for a better ending,” Irwin said after the game Saturday. “I just can’t imagine wanting to be anywhere else than I am right now. I have no regrets.”

Irwin played 28 minutes in her final game, scoring seven points with six rebounds and three assists. And with 7:34 left in the game, the Wahpeton, North Dakota native hit a 3-pointer, the last three of her 1,379 career points, which is 18th on the all-time Jackrabbit scoring list.

Greer played two seasons at SDSU after transferring from Colgate and was an important role player who, along with Hirschman and Rongisch, provided key leadership and experience for the team.

The Collegian and SDSU as a whole are proud of the accomplishments of these four women, and look forward to what they will accomplish in the future.

Writing achievable financial goals LORNA SABOE-WOUNDED HEAD Family Resource Management Field Specialist, SDSU Extension After you set your realistic budget and know which strategies you can realistically use to reach your savings goals, you are on the right path. However, staying on that path can often be one of the hardest parts of achieving the goal depending on your situation. If your car is on its last legs then it is a no brainer to save up to repair or get a new one, but if you are the kind of person that spends more time picking out a show to watch on Netflix than actually watching a show, knowing where you want to go with your finances can be tricky. Both groups can learn from the tips below.

1. You want variety. A short, medium and long-term time frame, as well as goals in different areas of your life, are important. You should set priorities, of course, but reaching short-term goals on the path to larger ones can help you get that sense of accomplishment

Volume 138• Issue 22

and avoid burnout. As great as being financially sound is, there is more to life than money, so having goals in other areas of your life as well will help keep your life more balanced.

2. Make them SMART. SMART goals are specific, measurable, attainable, realistic and time-bound. This changes the “I want a new car” into “I want to be able to afford a 2008+ used car with under 150,000 miles on it by the time I graduate.”

3. Don’t forget about them. Now, this can seem pretty simple, but it’s easy to lose sight of the things that are sometimes many months out when you are doing your morning coffee run or going out with your friends. You can read tons of self-help books on the law of attraction or one of a hundred other theories that agree - putting a visual reminder for your goals that you see or interact with regularly will help you reach them faster.

By keeping them in the forefront of your mind you are much less likely to succumb to impulse buys and other things that can lead you off track.

The Collegian is the independent student newspaper at South Dakota State University in Brookings, S.D. The Collegian is published by and for South Dakota State University students under the First Amendment guarantees of free speech and a free press.

Opinions expressed on these pages are not necessarily those of the student body, faculty, staff or administration.

The Collegian is published weekly on Wednesday during the academic year of SDSU.

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Gracie Terrall

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Editor-in-Chief

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Asst. News Editor

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For more information about managing your finances go to the SDSU Extension website (https://extension. sdstate.edu/family/family-finances).

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Letters to the Editor Send letters to letters@ sdsucollegian.com or to USU 069 Box 2815, Brookings, S.D. 57006.

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Please keep to less than 250 words.

Main line: 605.688.6164 Newsroom: 605.688.6166 Editor-in-Chief: 605.688.6178

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April 6, 2022

SPORTS

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Runner overcomes delay to fulfill Jackrabbit dream MARSHALL MINIHAN Sports Reporter

Jared Wipf was in high school in the small town of Tea when the pandemic started, which ended up canceling the track and field season in his senior year.

It was a development that put his future at stake.

Wipf started running track and field in high school, and he quickly grew to be a talented runner for the Tea Area Titans. He ran the 100-meter dash, the 4x100 and the 4x200 meter relay races in high school and placed at a state meet.

Wipf ’s favorite event to run in high school was the 4x100 relay because he considered it to be “less stressful” compared to the other events he has competed in.

Wipf wanted to attend South Dakota State University because he felt it was where he was meant to be.

“It was my calling,” Wipf said.

But because of the pandemic, not only was his senior track season canceled, but so was his dream to run at SDSU, since he wasn’t able to improve his times from the season before.

Wipf decided to try his luck as a walk-on at South Dakota State, but because of roster limitations and mandates, he didn’t make the cut. Because of these roster limits, the SDSU track team couldn’t tell how good he really was.

Wipf began thinking that maybe running at next level wasn’t for him, but luckily he had a strong support system. It was not only his mother who convinced him to keep trying, but also his former trainer who “lit the fire” that pushed him to persevere.

Seeking the best option to continue running, Wipf decided to take his talents just 40 minutes southwest of South Dakota State to the Division II school of Dakota State University in Madison.

In his first meet running for the

Trojans, he placed third with a quick time of 7.17 seconds in the indoor 60-meter dash. By the last indoor meet of the season, he dropped his 60-meter time down by .14 seconds to 7.03.

Being told he couldn’t be on the SDSU track team incentivized him to keep getting better so that one day he could run for the Jackrabbits.

Rod DeHaven, the director of the track and field programs at SDSU, said Wipf’s decision to run at DSU was a key, because “it gave him the times to make it here.”

The coach also credited Wipf ’s work ethic and how he chooses to spend his time outside of practice for helping the athlete become a better runner.

After a semester at DSU, Wipf transferred to South Dakota State University spring 2021 and recently finished his first indoor season. For his outstanding performances, he was awarded the Summit League Athlete of the Week in early February. Wipf also placed first in the men’s 60-meter dash in the Summit League Indoor Track and Field Championships for the ‘22 indoor season.

Track and field has impacted Wipf in many ways.

“It has helped me physically, mentally and spiritually,” Wipf said. “Putting myself into these tough situations has really helped bring me closer to God.” Track has also given Wipf many friendships with different teammates and coaches. Though track is traditionally an individual sport, Wipf has been lucky enough to be in one of the few team relay events. He enjoys the bonding and chemistry that he has made throughout his years of running.

DeHaven says that Wipf ’s impact on the team has not only come from the points he scores at the meets, but also from his work ethic and his ability to work well with his fellow Jackrabbit

runners.

Though Wipf has achieved what he dreamed about in making the SDSU team, he still thinks he has a lot left to prove and can be an example to others.

Photo from GoJacks.com Jared Wipf is getting his shot at Division I track after spending a semester at Dakota State University.

sdsucollegian.com

A18 SPORTS

April 6, 2022

Collegian file photos by JOCLYN HAVEN (She/Her) South Dakota State’s Douglas Wilson shoots over South Dakota’s Hunter Goodrick in the Summit League basketball tournament last month in Sioux Falls. Wilson wrapped up a stellar Jackrabbits career when the team lost to Providence in the NCAA Tournament in mid-March. He now is exploring opportunities so he may play professional basketball.

WHAT’S NEXT FOR WILSON? Jackrabbit great ponders his professional possibilities Story by Hunter Smidt • Sports Reporter

sdsucollegian.com

April 6, 2022

SPORTS

A19

Douglas Wilson sits with his son Douglas Jr. before Wilson’s final home game of his Jackrabbit career Feb. 19 against St. Thomas. In that game, Wilson had 16 points and eight rebounds in a Jackrabbit win that at the time extended their win streak to 16 games.

South Dakota State basketball star Douglas Wilson ended his Jackrabbit career last month as the team fell to Providence in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.

But that doesn’t necessarily mean the 6-foot-7, 220pound Des Moines native is finished with basketball for good.

Wilson is hoping to make it to the next level, which could mean overseas, in the NBA G League – or even the NBA. “We have talked and are still evaluating his options, but he will definitely get a shot to showcase his skills if he gets a workout in the NBA,” SDSU coach Eric Henderson said.

Because Wilson is not seen as a top-60 prospect, he won’t know for several weeks if he will be granted an NBA workout, said NBAdraftroom.com. Such a workout could help him get noticed by pro teams.

When it comes to the next level, Wilson is seen by some analysts as undersized for the power forward position. He hopes to make up for that with his demanding work ethic. Wilson’s game could also translate to playing on the wing if his jump shot improves, as well as his ball-handling, according to NBAdraftroom.com.

None of that necessarily bothers Wilson, who says he is most proud of “overcoming expectations.”

Henderson said that no matter what comes next, he is “just really proud of Douglas Wilson. He is an irreplaceable player and will be missed throughout this whole program.”

No matter what comes next, Wilson said he wants Jackrabbit fans to know that he is grateful for the sup-

• • • • • • • •

AWARDS

Summit League Player of the Year (2020) 2x first-team All-Summit League (2020, 2022) Second-team All-Summit League (2021) Summit League Tournament MVP (2022) Summit League Newcomer of the Year (2020) NJCAA Division II Player of Year (2019) First-team NJCAA DII All-American (2019) Second-team NJCAA DII All-American (2018)

port he received during his time in Brookings. He wants to be remembered as “someone who gave it all for them every game, be the best person he could be every day, and was the hardest worker in the gym every day.”

The Jackrabbits will have a tough job replacing Wilson. The team won a total of 68 games during his three-year career here. That includes a 30-4 mark this season with the March Madness appearance.

Wilson arrived on the South Dakota State campus in summer 2019 and got right to work. Coaches and players knew he would make an instant impact in his first season.

That year, he averaged 18.6 points a game and grabbed 6.4 rebounds as well. This success was noticed

by other coaches around the league, and he earned Summit League Player of the Year, as well as Newcomer of the Year honors.

Henderson describes Wilson as a “dynamic personality.” He added that his maturity made him a leader who could “connect” with his teammates.

Wilson’s second season was slowed by a variety of injuries that allowed him to play in only 19 games.

Despite being hurt, Wilson was able to flash some of the same abilities that he did in the previous season.

Throwing down dunks and getting to the rim proved to be Wilson’s strengths, and this style also made him a fan favorite.

Wilson said, “being able to score the ball,” was a big part of his improvement at SDSU. “Also becoming more of a playmaker was a big part of my growth.”

During that second season, Wilson averaged 16.8 points and 5.4 rebounds a game.

The pandemic gave the former Kirkwood Community College and Hoover High School product another year of eligibility, which came as welcome news for the Jacks and their fans.

So, the Jackrabbits and Wilson were poised to do big things during the 2021-22 season, and that is exactly what they did. The team made history by registering the only undefeated season in Summit League history at 18-0. Wilson finished the year averaging 16.4 points and 5.5 rebounds a game.

Now the only question that needs answering is what’s next for Wilson.

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sdsucollegian.com

April 6, 2022

Jackrabbits look ahead after WNIT success EVAN PATZWALD Assistant Sports Editor (He/Him) Not many basketball teams get to end their season with a win. Let alone at home. That is what the South Dakota State University women’s basketball team did Sunday afternoon when they won the WNIT championship game in dominating fashion over Seton Hall. It was the perfect ending to a season that had many ups and downs and was capped off by winning six straight games in the WNIT Tournament to claim the title.

After losing to USD in the championship game of the Summit League Tournament, the Jackrabbits were hoping to keep their season alive in any way possible. But they did not get an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament.

Since they finished first in the conference, they received an automatic bid to the WNIT. After convincing wins over Ohio, Minnesota and Drake the Jacks started to face some tougher competition as they got deeper into the tournament. Their game with Alabama saw both teams go on huge runs to each take double-digit leads before the Jacks pulled away in the fourth quarter. Then they had a tight contest with UCLA and were able to squeak by. Finally, in the title game, the Pirates never stood a chance as they got out to a 25-7 lead after the first quarter before winning 82-50. All six of their games were played at Frost Arena.

“You can’t really write it any better,” Myah Selland said. “We got to stay at home and do it in front of Jackrabbit nation, that’s been great all year, and got bigger and better this tournament.

To send our seniors out with a win, not many teams get to do that, and to do it at home is even better.”

For the Jacks’ four seniors, Tylee Irwin, Haley Greer, Addison Hirschman and Lauren Rongisch, they get to end their careers at SDSU with a national championship. Irwin leaves a lasting

legacy on the program and became the all-time leader in games played earlier in the season, passing Macy Miller’s previous mark of 144 games played. She finished the season with 159 under her belt.

“I’m happy for all of our seniors,” coach Aaron Johnston said. “Tylee has had such a huge impact on our program for five years now. She’s started a ton of games, been in a lot of big games, battled through injury, tough losses and big wins. She’s been about as consistent as a person and a teammate as anybody could ever expect or hope for. It’ll be a big hole losing Tylee; her role is incredibly undervalued.”

The team went through a lot of adversity during the season that many didn’t see coming. At the end of their non-conference schedule, SDSU held a 4-7 record. The team only lost four games, all last season in 25 games with most of the roster coming back. Selland was in and out of the lineup at the start as well, so it was hard for the team to find a rhythm, according to Johnston.

They then went on to run through the Summit League, going 17-1 in their conference schedule and earned the top overall seed in the conference tournament before falling to the Coyotes. SDSU wasn’t the only team that had a successful postseason run as USD advanced to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament for the first time.

“I think we’ve had really great publicity for our league,” Irwin said. “In year’s past, those two teams have done really well on the national stage and obviously that recognition is good for the Summit League too.”

SDSU finished its season 29-9, winning 26 of its last 28 games and carrying a 16-game home win streak into next year.

After the successful postseason run, it begs the question if the Jackrabbits should have been given an opportunity in the NCAA Tournament. Regardless, they will be able to get the chance to prove themselves next season.

The Jacks will be bringing back most of their talent, including leading scorer

Collegian photos by JOCLYN HAVEN (She/Her) South Dakota State’s Myah Selland (44) celebrates after a play with teammate Haleigh Timmer (13) in the Jacks’ WNIT game against Alabama Mar. 27 at Frost Arena. Both Selland and Timmer were named to the WNIT All-Tournament team. The duo will be back next season.

South Dakota State’s Tylee Irwin played in her final career game Saturday in SDSU’s 82-50 win over Seton Hall. It was Irwin’s 159th career game, the most all-time, passing Macy Miller’s previous mark of 144.

and WNIT MVP, Selland. Other notable names include Paiton Burckhard, Tori Nelson and the freshman that came alive in the WNIT, Haleigh Timmer.

Timmer was selected to the WNIT AllTournament team along with Selland.

“Timmer’s been great for us this postseason,” Selland said. “Obviously she’s stepped into that starting role and that’s really tough and to do it on the stage she did it at was great. She’s fearless, she makes plays for us, she’s been doing it all year, but especially here in the postseason.”

Johnston thinks that Timmer’s success in the postseason was greatly due to him giving her the opportunity to

shine by putting her in the starting lineup when the tournament started. He thinks that her success will be a “great springboard for her going forward” and is “excited to see where she takes it from here.”

Lindsey Theuninck announced via Instagram Tuesday that she will not be returning for her extra year of eligibility after spending five years with the program.

Paige Meyer was the other true freshman on the team that showed success during the season and will be a big piece moving forward. She started in all 29 games she played in before getting injured in their game against Kansas City Feb. 26.

The fan aspect was a huge part of the Jacks’ postseason run and they were able to get plenty of national attention, after playing the first nationally televised women’s basketball game at Frost Arena.

The Jackrabbits had attendance increase every game in the WNIT and their final two games were in front of sold-out crowds with 5,263 in attendance against Seton Hall.

Irwin was thankful for the opportunity to play in front of a community that supports the school the way it did over the course of the season.

“In these postseason tournaments, there’s been a lot of controversy on viewership and women’s basketball as a whole,” Irwin said. “I think it’s really special for everyone to see the women’s basketball that we get to be a part of at South Dakota State that not a lot of programs are fortunate enough to have.”