2008–2009 Annual Report The University of South Dakota • Department of Athletics
2008–2009 Annual Report
Table of Contents Leadership Message..........................................................1
Great West Conference.....................................................8
USD’s Reclassification Timeline.......................................2
Summit League................................................................9
Division I Directional Statement......................................3
Budget...........................................................................10
Student-Athlete Academic Accomplishments...................4
Great Expectations Scholarship Drive.............................11
Student-Athlete Academic Services...................................5
Howling Pack.................................................................12
2008–09 Athletic Highlights............................................6
Corporate Sponsors........................................................13
Coyotes in the Community..............................................7
Leadership Message The last year has been one of change and continued success for The University of South Dakota athletics.
Joel Nielsen Director of Athletics
USD athletics has transitioned into a new phase of Division I. We have been accepted into two major conferences that will set the foundation of success for our student-athletes now and in the future. Through the 2010–11 season all sports at USD will compete in the Great West Conference. In the fall of 2011, all sports except for football will transition to compete in The Summit League. We know that our student-athletes are poised and ready to compete in Division I both academically and athletically. Our student-athletes have a reputation of success in competition on the field or court and also in the classroom.
We are proud to say that our student-athletes are always students first. This is reflected in the number of Academic All-Conference athletes, post-graduate scholarship recipients, and overall grade point averages of the students. The challenge to be successful in academics and athletics does not stop with our student-athletes; the athletic department also is striving to improve our performance. A few of our improvements include the Howling Pack season ticket guidelines and a campaign to raise money for student-athlete scholarships called Great Expectations. The Howling Pack was revamped in 2008 to bring the fundraising for individual team sports under one umbrella. With the Howling Pack in place, our supporters’ money goes farther in giving financial aid to student-athletes. The new season ticket policies allow our ticket office to operate more effectively and give fans greater access to the game. Our campaign, Great Expectations, was implemented to help raise money specifically for student-athlete scholarships. With the increase in scholarship eligible players at the Division I level and no state funding for these scholarships, it is vital that funds are raised through private support. There are many challenges ahead for the athletic department and the entire University. Our need for increased private funding is constantly on the rise as we move to Division I and as the cost to maintain an elite athletic program increases. At USD, our student-athletes are not just here for the thrill of the game but to prepare themselves for their future after the last whistle has blown. At The University of South Dakota we are committed to strengthening the student and the athlete for the future. Our future at USD is bright and we would not be where we are today without our donors, supporters, fans and, of course, the student-athletes that make being a Coyote something to be proud of. We thank all of you for your support and hard work. This report focuses on where we have been and where we are going as a university and as an athletic department. If you have comments or concerns about information in this report, please contact me at Joel.Nielsen@usd.edu. GO YOTES!
2008–2009 Annual Report
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USD’s Reclassification Timeline The University of South Dakota’s transition to NCAA Division I is a five-year reclassification process. The NCAA sets forth a series of standards and benchmarks that must be addressed and achieved each year to progress through the Division I reclassification process. Academic Year
Reclassification Year
NCAA Competition Status:
2007–08 COMPLETED
Exploratory Year
• USD remained eligible for NCAA Division II post-season competition during its Exploratory Year • 2007-08 was the last year of North Central Conference (NCC) competition
2008 –09 COMPLETED
YEAR ONE of Reclassification
• Not eligible for Division I post-season competition in all sports • Not a Division I “counter” for scheduling purposes • Not a Division I RPI institution • Not required to meet Division I minimum scheduling standards
2009–10
YEAR TWO of Reclassification
• Not eligible for Division I post-season competition in all sports • Division I “counter” for scheduling purposes as of 2009-10 (and thereafter) • Division I RPI institution as of 2009-10 (and thereafter) • Division I minimum scheduling requirements must be met as of 2009–10 (and thereafter)
2010–11
YEAR THREE of Reclassification
• Not eligible for Division I post-season competition, with the exception of Men’s and Women’s Outdoor Track & Field
2011–12
YEAR FOUR of Reclassification
• Not eligible for Division I post-season competition, with the exception of Men’s and Women’s Outdoor Track & Field
2012–13
NCAA DIVISION I MEMBER
• Eligible for Division I post-season competition in ALL SPORTS
• USD annually submits a Strategic Plan to the NCAA to put forth its philosophies and directives for the reclassification process. • USD submits an Annual Report to the NCAA, which includes established criteria on scheduling, financial aid, eligibility and other NCAA requirements. • USD campus and athletic administrators annually attend the NCAA Convention and NCAA Compliance Seminars in order to gain valuable perspectives on NCAA Division I regulations. • USD completes a Compliance Rules Review conducted by the NCAA National Office (Year Two). • USD completes the NCAA Division I Athletics Certification process (Year Three and Year Four), which is the final review to determine approval for active Division I status for USD Coyote Athletics. 2
Department of Athletics
Division I Directional Statement The University of South Dakota Intercollegiate Athletics Division I Directional Statement: 2009–13 Division I Directional Statement: In the transition to Division I, The University of South Dakota’s Intercollegiate Athletics department seeks to strengthen its strong, well-recognized commitment to the development of the complete student-athlete. Academic achievement of every individual student-athlete and each team will be emphasized, while striving to maintain highly competitive programs. Successful resource generation and strategic institutional position planning are critical components of this plan. The University and athletic program are well positioned for the challenges and opportunities of Division I membership. The six areas listed below will provide a consistent direction and form the basis for decision-making. Additionally, these measures play an integral role in advancing Building an Extraordinary University, the University’s own strategic plan. Division I Institutional Positioning GOALS
OBJECTIVES
Gain membership in an established Division I conference with access to Automatic Qualification in DI post-season competition in all sports – Continue to pursue membership in The Summit League— membership will include all USD sponsored sports, excluding football. COMPLETED – Evaluate Great West Conference for football membership. – Schedule institutions in markets/states that have been targeted by the University for the recruitment of new students as well as proximity of alumni.
Competitive Athletics Produce highly competitive Division I Intercollegiate Athletic Programs
Student-Athlete Academic Achievement Maintain high expectations of academic achievement for individual studentathletes and each team
Student-Athlete Experience Create an environment to enhance each studentathlete’s mental, physical and social well-being
Equity and Diversity
Fiscal Responsibility & Resource Generation
Maintain an inclusive environment built upon the principles of equity and diversity
Make sound financial decisions and operate within our resource base
– Achieve competitive excellence in all sports by winning conference championships.
– Provide student-athletes with quality support personnel to achieve academic success.
– Provide sports medicine and strength training in a quality manner.
– Continue to monitor Title IX compliance plan, to include roster management goals.
– Budget realistically and create an on going three-year forecasting budget plan.
– Participate and advance in NCAA postseason championships (when eligible), and benchmark our Directors Cup standing as we strive to become one of the top-10 Division I FCS programs in the country.
– Add physical space and personnel for student- athlete academic support services.
– Provide educational workshops/seminars to all studentathletes on critical issues.
– Monitor and reinforce the expectations of Graduation Success Rate (GSR) and Academic Progress Rate (APR) to the coaches and student-athletes.
– Provide career development and counseling to assist in the transition from college to professional work environment.
– Continue to engage with the USD Gender Equity Oversight Committee addressing any immediate or long-range concerns.
– Emphasize Great Expectations, a comprehensive major gift program that manages the identification, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship of key prospects.
– Develop a scheduling plan that focuses on regional games as a priority and national games that coordinate with institutional positioning goals.
– Provide counseling to any student-athlete for alcohol/ substance abuse or psychological-emotional needs. – Develop programs to promote character development in student-athletes including teamwork, leadership, group loyalty and moral character. – Facilitate and encourage involvement in community service.
– Promote an environment in which cultural diversity is respected and appreciated, while addressing the specific needs of diverse communities.
– Achieve unprecedented annual giving revenue and overall membership to the Howling Pack. – Increase ticket and corporate sponsorship revenue. – Grow student attendance and participation. – Improve the “Gameday” atmosphere and experience.
2008–2009 Annual Report
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Student-Athlete Academic Accomplishments • 3 USD teams were named All-Academic Teams 1. Tennis was named an Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) All-Academic Team for the 5th straight year. To qualify for the ITA All-Academic honor, a team has to have a cumulative GPA of 3.2. In addition, five USD women’s tennis players were honored as ITA Scholar-Athletes. To reach Scholar-Athlete status, an athlete must be a varsity letter winner, have a GPA of at least 3.5 for the current academic year and have been enrolled at their present school for at least two semesters. 2. Women’s Basketball was named to the 2008–2009 Women’s Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) Top 25 Honor roll. This award, given at the NCAA Division I, NCAA Division II, NCAA Division III, NAIA andJunior College/Community College levels, awards teams throughout the nation that carry the highest grade point averages (GPA) for the entire season based on the nomination submitted by WBCA-member head coaches. The USD women ranked 24th out of 343 in the Division I category with a team GPA of 3.311. 3. USD’s Women’s Track and Field team was named a 2009 All-Academic Team by the U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA). To be nominated, a team must carry a minimum 3.0 cumulative grade-point average. A total of 130 Division I programs were recognized as women’s 2009 All-Academic Teams. USD women’s track had a team cumulative GPA of 3.326 to earn the All-Academic award. • 5 NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship winners in 2008. Since the 2001–02 academic year, USD has been in the top 10 of all 1,200 NCAA institutions (Div. I, II and III) in receiving postgraduate scholarships. • 14 of USD’s 17 NCAA Division I sports (comprised of 350 student-athletes) had a team GPA greater than 3.0 at the conclusion of the 2008-09 academic year. • 64 Student-athletes on All-Academic conference team for 2008–2009 academic year. To be part of the All-Academic team you must have at least a cumulative 3.2 GPA and have participated in at least 50% of all contests and be at least a sophomore in academic and athletic standing. • 101 USD student-athletes were on the USD dean’s list for the spring 2009 semester. Students earn dean’s list distinction by achieving a GPA of at least 3.5 while maintaining a course load of 12 or more credit hours with no incomplete or failing grades. • 213 Coyote student-athletes had a 3.0 or above GPA, including 33 who had a 4.0 mark in the spring of 2009.
Student-Athlete Academic Services The Mission of USD Student-Athlete Academic Services is to provide Coyote student-athletes the support necessary to reach their full academic potential. The program is designed to assist them throughout their college career. Academic Support Student-athletes at The University of South Dakota receive academic support through both athletic-specific, as well as campus-wide educational initiatives. Resources and programming available to our student-athletes include:
USD Student Athletes Receive: 1. Academic and Career Counseling 2. Assistance with Class Scheduling and Selection of a Major
Becky Jensen
3. Connections with Faculty to Track Academic and Degree Progress 4. Arrangement of Tutors 5. Access to Supplemental Instruction 6. Monitoring of Class Attendance and Academic Progress 7. Coordination of the Coyote Athletic Study Center 8. An Academic Orientation Class Exclusively for Student-Athletes 9. Promotion of Student-Athlete Academic Success to the University, Alumni and Prospective Employers
Dave Lorenz
Student-Athlete Study Center/Tutor Support. The Athletic Study Center is held daily in the library, and includes access to tutors, monitored study areas and advising for course selection. All incoming freshmen and transfers, along with student-athletes who do not maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0, must attend the athletic study center for a specified number of hours per week. Athletic Academic Advisor, Becky Flynn-Jensen works to help our student-athletes achieve in the classroom by coordinating tutor sessions for all of USD’s student-athletes. Becky also teaches a fitness course for all first year student-athletes and oversees academic advising for women’s sports. Freshman Course. Director of Student-Athlete Academic Advising, Dave Lorenz, teaches a popular, one-credit freshman student-athlete course in the fall. The course provides topics and speakers that orient USD student-athletes to college life, with a focus on study skills, balancing academics and athletics, career development and personal development.
Student-Athlete Peer Mentoring Program. A peer mentoring program for studentathletes was started in the fall of 2007 and continued successfully during the 2008–09 academic year. A selection of older, more experienced student-athletes are selected to serve as mentors to new and high-risk student-athletes. Campus Academic Support. Strong academic support is available across campus for all students. The University has established plans to build a new student learning center on campus, and further development of this project will continue to take place. Further, the University offers First Year Experience courses to all students, as well as on going leadership courses through the IdEA program (Interdisciplinary Education and Action). 2008–2009 Annual Report
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2008–09 Athletic Highlights • The University of South Dakota athletic department learned in April that it was accepted into The Summit League, starting with the 2011–12 season. This includes all sports except football, which will remain members of the Great West Conference. The Men’s and Women’s Swimming and Diving teams will join The Summit League as an associate member in 2009–10. • The 2008 football season marked USD’s first as a Division I FCS program, and the Coyotes recorded their first win over a FCS foe with a 42–20 rout of Southern Utah on Nov. 15. USD finished 6–5 for its fifth straight winning season. • The USD men’s and women’s track and field teams swept the inaugural Great West Conference indoor track meet in March 2009, becoming the first Coyote teams to win conference titles as Division I programs. • The USD women’s basketball team finished 18–11 and recorded its first win over a Division I foe as a D1 program with a 76–67 win over Northern Iowa on Feb. 10, 2009. • A total of 68 USD student-athletes earned Great West Conference All-Academic honors for 2008–09. • USD’s Ramsey Fitzsimmons captured the Great West Conference cross country championship on Nov. 1, 2008, becoming the first Coyote individual athlete to win a Division I conference crown. Fitzsimmons was named the GWC Female Athlete of the Year for the indoor track season. 6
Department of Athletics
• USD men’s basketball player Tyler Cain was named the 2009 Division I All-Independent Defensive Player of the Year and was also a first-team selection. • The 2008-09 men’s basketball season saw the Coyotes finish with a 20–9 record — the 6th straight year USD had reached 20 wins. USD’s first win as a Division I program came on Dec. 28, 2008, with a 75-67 win over New Orleans. • USD had two Academic All-Americans in 2008-09– Bridget Yoerger (women’s basketball) and Tagney Jones (softball). • USD softball student-athlete Tagney Jones was named the 2009 Division I All-Independent Player of the Year and was also a first-team selection. • The USD softball team finished 33–18, a best ever mark for winning percentage in a single season. • The USD volleyball program tied its record for most wins in a season (23) under first-year Coach Matt Houk. • The USD Swimming and Diving teams earned Scholar All-American Team honors for Spring 2009 from the College Swimming Coaches Association.
Coyotes in the Community Division I SAAC Mission Statement The mission of the NCAA Division I Student-Athlete Advisory Committee is to enhance the total student-athlete experience by promoting opportunity, protecting student-athlete well being, and fostering a positive student-athlete image.
Commitment Statements Commitment to Academic Excellence: To support the academic progress of the student-athlete toward intellectual development and graduation. Commitment to Athletic Excellence: To build philosophical foundations for the development of athletic programs that are broad-based, equitable and dedicated to the well-being of the student-athlete. Commitment to Personal Development: To support the development of a well-balanced lifestyle for student-athletes, encouraging emotional wellbeing, leadership, personal growth and decisionmaking skills. Commitment to Career Development: To encourage the student-athlete to develop and pursue career and life goals. Commitment to Service: To engage the studentathlete in service to his or her campus and surrounding communities.
Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) The USD Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) is an active organization, which serves as the studentathlete voice for a variety of issues. The group is made up of representatives from each team and meets monthly to discuss issues and collaborate on events. The group hears and provides feedback each year on NCAA legislative issues. Each academic year, a focus of the SAAC is on community service projects, which have included fundraisers for Special Olympics and Make-a-Wish Foundation. The group has served meals at The Welcome Table (a community meal for low-income families), conducted youth ‘field days’ for elementary students and engaged in other service events. The SAAC also puts on the annual Student-Athlete Awards Ceremony at the conclusion of each academic year. 2008–2009 Annual Report
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Great West Conference In August of 2008 The University of South Dakota joined the Great West Conference. Established in 2004 as a football conference, the Great West Conference competes in the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision. In 2008 the Great West was expanded to a 10 university conference and added 14 new sports. Commenting on the impact this expansion would have Great West Commissioner Ed Grom had this to say, “By adding more sports we opened up opportunities for more schools and more student-athletes to compete for league titles and earn individual recognition.” In July of 2007, the three original charter schools of the Great West, UC Davis, Cal Poly and Southern Utah, all voted unanimously to extend an invitation of membership to The University of South Dakota for football. Beginning the fall of 2008, all 17 sports at USD began competition in the Great West Conference. In the first year of membership the USD Indoor Track team began a new tradition of excellence by winning the Great West Championship.
“The transition to D-1 is an exciting time for the USD football program— for all Coyote Athletics. As always, our goal is to strike the right balance between academics and athletics. Joining with peer institutions in the Great West Football Conference allows our student-athletes the opportunity to play for conference championships while remaining focused on long term academic goals.” —President James Abbott 8
Department of Athletics
Summit League
North Dakota State Fargo, N.D.
The University of South Dakota Vermillion, S.D. Western Illinois Macomb, Ill.
South Dakota State Brookings, S.D.
Oakland Rochester, Mich.
Indiana-Purdue-Fort Wayne (IPFW) Fort Wayne, Ind.
Southern Utah Cedar City, Utah
Indiana University-Purdue University-Indianapolis Indianapolis, Ind.
Oral Roberts Tulsa, Okla.
Centenary Shreveport, La.
Missouri-Kansas City Kansas City, Mo.
Summit League Now entering its 28th year as an NCAA Division I athletics conference, The Summit League is in its third year under that name. In May 2007, the Presidents Council embraced the Summit Plan, a strategic plan that places a renewed emphasis on improving the academic and athletic performances of all its student-athletes. Included in the plan was the creation of a new image of the conference and the unveiling of a new name. The Summit League’s 10 member schools are Centenary College of Louisiana, IPFW (Indiana University-Purdue University-Fort Wayne), IUPUI (Indiana UniversityPurdue University Indianapolis), UMKC (University of Missouri-Kansas City), North Dakota State University, Oakland University, Oral Roberts University, South Dakota State University, Southern Utah University and Western Illinois University. The member schools pride themselves on providing quality athletic, academic and social experiences for their student-athletes. Centenary will be leaving the league after the 2010–11 season. Timeline
“This announcement validates our athletic programs at the Division I level and fulfills a goal of conference membership with peer institutions. This is an extraordinary day for our student-athletes, coaches and staff —along with our alumni and friends.” —Joel Nielsen, Director of Athletics
• USD hosted a two-day site visit in January 2009 with Summit League officials and administrators. • USD was accepted into the Summit League in April 2009. • The Coyotes swimming and diving programs will join the Summit as an associate member in 2009–10. • The Coyote athletic program will officially join the Summit League in all sports except football on July 1, 2011. • All sports will be eligible for conference post-season championships in 2012–13. 2008–2009 Annual Report
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Budget Division I level coaching, staffing, scholarships, services, and travel requires a significant investment. USD athletics is committed to being careful stewards of the funds we receive from fans, corporate sponsors, and donors. The support received from the state of South Dakota and from the University is important to our continued success and is integral to our future growth. USD Total Athletic Expenses FY09 = $5,850,407
OTHER OPERATING EXPENSES $2,276,578
SALARIES AND BENEFITS $2,060,395
The commitment to Division I requires an upgrade in our scholarship offerings throughout our 17 sports. USD has put together a plan to increase our annual scholarship offerings from 105 to 174 while maintaining our Title IX compliance. This increase in scholarship offerings has created the need to generate significantly more revenue. Two areas have been identified to be the vehicles to assist in financially funding the increased scholarship offerings, the annual fund and major gifts. The Howling Pack serves as the annual fund and Great Expectations serves as the major gift component of the equation. The Great Expectations scholarship campaign is designed to fill the immediate needs of our transition to Division I until our annual fundraising, The Howling Pack, matures to fund the increased expenses of Division I. Women’s Scholarships
SCHOLARSHIPS $1,513,434
Other Operating Expenses Include: Travel, Team Apparel and Supplies
USD Total Athletic Income FY09 = $5,905,567
2007– 08
2008–09
2009–10
2010 –11
2011–12
2012–13
Basketball
10
13
15
15
15
15
Golf
2.5
3
3
3.5
4.5
4.5
Soccer
8
10
10
12
12
13
Softball
7
8
8
11
11
11
Swimming
5.5
6.5
6.5
8.5
9.5
11.5
Tennis
2.5
3
3
4.5
5.5
5.5
Track & Field
12
14
14
17
18
18
Volleyball
8
10
10
12
12
12
55.5
67.5
69.5
83.5
87.5
90.5
2007– 08
2008–09
2009–10
2010 –11
2011–12
2011–13
Basketball
10
13
13
13
13
13
Football
36
54
60
60
60
60
Swimming
1
1
1
1
1
1
Women’s Total EXTERNAL REVENUE $2,186,207
UNIVERSITY SUPPORT $2,873,308
STUDENT SUPPORT $846,052 External Revenue Includes: Ticket Sales, Sponsorships, Fundraising and Donations 10
Department of Athletics
Men’s Scholarships
Track & Field
3
3
3
4
7
10
Men’s Total
50
71
77
78
81
84
105.5
138.5
146.5
161.5
168.5
174.5
GRAND TOTAL
Great Expectations Scholarship Drive John L. Thomson
John House, Jim & Joyce Houtz, Paul & Linda Lewis, John & Linda Lillibridge
Jim & Colette Abbott, Rich & Sharon Cutler, Alli & Steve Garry, Jim Harrenga, Dennis Hagele, Jerad & Peggy Higman, Mike & Bunny Howes, Dave & Paula Hultgren, Scott & Lisa Jones, Phil & Marge Odeen, George Shanard, Dick & Kathy Sweetman, Lyle & June Wagner, Dick and Jeanne Wold The following have sponsored part of a scholarship or supported the Coyote Athletic Scholarship Fund $25,000–$50,000 Charles and Mary Burke, Don and Cara Lee Davis $15,000–$24,999 Dyer Family Foundation, Chet Groseclose, Dan and Melissa Radigan $6,000–$14,999 First National Bank- Sioux Falls $3,000–$5,999 James and Shirley Ahrendt, Debra Bollinger, Kent and Peggy Brugger, David and Nancy Gienapp, Jack and Linda Keilman, Dr. Keith and Cheryl Lillemoe, Godfrey and Henrietta Roberts In 2008–2009 five new endowments were created through generous donations from athletic supporters. They are: John House Scholarship Endowment Tim McFarland Memorial Scholarship Endowment First National Bank–Sioux Falls Endowment Mark C. Larson Golf Scholarship Endowment Dean Lee Memorial Scholarship Endowment
The Great Expectations Campaign goal of $10,000,000 over five years will allow USD to offer the scholarships necessary to compete successfully in Division I. Scholarship offerings will rise from 103 per year to 174 per year allocated within the 17-sport athletic program in Division I. Gender equity will be maintained through this increase as an equal number of scholarships will be in male and female sports. By the end of the five-year transition period, 174 athletics scholarships will require nearly $2,500,000 per year. Board of Regents policy does not allow university money to be used for athletic scholarships, requiring these dollars to be raised from private sources —people like you who have great expectations for Coyote athletics and want to continue the tradition of excellence at The University of South Dakota. In 2008, each scholarship was valued at $12,500 per year, including tuition, fees, room and board and books, over the five transitional years and adjusted for inflation. When a scholarship is established, more than one student-athlete may benefit from it. Donors who pledge $62,500 or more over five years will have the opportunity to name their scholarship and designate preference for a sport if they choose to do so.
Our Goals—$10 million by 2013 As of June 30, 2009, $1,732,293.87 has been raised for athletic scholarships at the Division I level.
2008–2009 Annual Report
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Howling Pack Mission Statement The mission of the USD Howling Pack is to promote and financially support The University of South Dakota athletic department and all of the individual athletic teams while encouraging the development of the student-athlete. What is the Howling Pack: The Howling Pack is the annual fundraising program of the athletic department at The University of South Dakota. The Howling Pack (formerly the Coyote Athletic Fund) was initially established in 1991 to support special needs by the athletic department not covered in the budget. Why was the Howling Pack created? In order to successfully transition to Division I, a comprehensive approach to fundraising was needed to maximize revenue, while minimizing the duplication of effort and confusion among our donor and fan base. The merger of the Coyote Athletic Fund, The Howling Pack and sport-specific booster clubs was needed to provide a foundation of support for the future of Coyote Athletics. In the fall of 2008, a revamped Howling Pack was unveiled to be the annual fundraising program of the athletic department at The University of South Dakota. The Howling Pack was initially established in 1991 to support special needs by the athletic department not covered by the budget. The Howling Pack not only gives support to the student-athletes, but allows for donors, friends and Coyote fans to unite, promote and support Coyote Athletics throughout the United States. For the calendar year 2009 the Howling Pack has raised almost $400,000 for Division I scholarships. Money for Division I scholarships comes solely from private donations, which is then paid back to the university. The Howling Pack is overseen by a strong and knowledgeable board of directors that has helped increase fundraising and promotion of the Howling 12
Department of Athletics
Pack. This great leadership is almost completely comprised of USD alumni and long-time supporters. Howling Pack Board of Directors Jackie Haggar- Tuschen — President Jeff Nelson — Vice President Dan Radigan — Past- President Jeff VanDenBerg — Treasurer Laurel VanDenBerg — Secretary Kevin Brown Bob Christenson Scott Fiedler
Tom Holland Dave Hultgren Mary Merrigan Gary Prosser David Zimbeck Joel Nielsen David Herbster
Each year the Howling Pack sponsors events to raise money, generate interest and engage alumni, all in support of student-athletes. Some of these events include: Coyote Golf Tour (Dakota Dunes, Rapid City, Sioux Falls) Coyote Kick-off Dinner and Auction Annual Fund Drive for Howling Pack membership Henry Heider Memorial Hall of Fame Student-Athlete Awards Ceremony Coyote Tailgate Nation—prior to all home football games Away Game Hospitality events—held at various locations throughout the United States Coaches Corner Coyote Tracks—The Howling Pack newsletter
Corporate Partners The overall goal is to increase the base of financial support through a comprehensive marketing and promotional plan with continued emphasis upon building higher attendance, securing corporate support and increased research efforts. Primary focus is placed upon renewal and upgrading of current corporate partner relationships through enhanced stewardship and multi-year packages. Currently, the department of athletics has over 50 corporate sponsors whose
financial commitment ranges from $1,500 to $129,500 annually. Our corporate partners’ affiliation provides a multitude of opportunities to develop brand awareness, brand loyalty and enhance the company’s exposure to targeted demographic groups. Through our relationships, we are able to provide many advertising and media outlets, as well as community and public relations exposure to maximize the corporate partners’ visibility.
Founding Partners
Sports Medicine Partner
Corporate Partners Alladin/Rugged Gear Ag United Alkota Cleaning Systems Army National Guard Avery Brothers Bank of the West Barnes & Noble Bierschbach Equipment Broadcaster Press Burger King Cherry Street Grill/Roadhouse
CJ Callaways Coffee Cup Fuel Stop Comfort Inn eTelecare/Stream First Bank and Trust First Dakota National Bank Holiday Inn Express Hy-Vee KDLT KSFY Riverfront Broadcasting
Leader Courier Leo’s Little Italy’s NAPA Auto Parts New York Life Insurance Pedersen Machine, Inc. Premier Bankcard Quality Motors Rasmussen Motors Results Radio Cumulus Media Robinson Motors
Rooster Harley Davidson Sanford Health Sanford Vermillion Medical Center Slumberland South Dakota Beef Council State Farm Insurance USD Foundation Vermillion Ford Wild Horse Multimedia Yankton Motors
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Mission Statement The University of South Dakota is the comprehensive University within the South Dakota System of Higher Education. The University’s mission is to provide graduate and undergraduate programs in the liberal arts and sciences and in professional education; to promote excellence in teaching and learning; to support research, scholarly and creative activities; and to provide service to the State of South Dakota and the region. The University of South Dakota’s Intercollegiate Athletic Department, as an integral part of the University’s educational mission, is committed to cultivate academic and athletic excellence in our student-athletes. The following points serve as a roadmap on this path to excellence. · Academic Integrity and Leadership: Dedication to the principles of academic excellence, the encouragement of degree completion, the development of the whole person, and support in securing a productive place in society for all student-athletes. · Athletic Achievement: Dedication to maximum athletic performance. · Fiscal Integrity: Development and maintenance of comprehensive fiscal policies and practices to ensure control and accountability throughout the program. · Governance: Compliance with Federal, State, University, NCAA, and conference regulations. · Personal Development: Encourage all personnel and student-athletes toward personal and professional growth. · Quality Support: Dedication to providing the finest staff, facilities, services, and equipment to ensure that all student-athletes have the opportunity to train and compete in a safe and supportive atmosphere.
Department of Athletics DakotaDome 414 East Clark Street • Vermillion, SD 57069-2390 605-677-5309 • www.usdcoyotes.com