Athletics and Activities
SDSU's athletic mascot for both the men's and women's teams is the Jackrabbit, Both the men's and women's sports teams are officially referred to as the Jackrabbits although some fans and media writers (incorrectly) call the women's teams "Lady" Jackrabbits or "Lady" Jacks. The homecoming celebration, Hobo Day, is "The Biggest One-Day Event in the Dakotas." The 300+ member SDSU Marching Band, "The Pride of the Dakotas", given the special name the Millennium Band in 2000 by the South Dakota State Legislature, has marched in the 1981 and 1997 Presidential Inaugural Parades in Washington, D.C.; A Capital Fourth in 2000 in Washington DC which was broadcast on PBS; the 2003 and 2008 Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, California making them the second collegiate band in the history of the Rose Bowl to be invited to march twice when their team was not competing; and the Korean War Monument Dedication at the state's capital Pierre in 2004, in the company of two other college bands and 60-some high school bands from across the state. SDSU participates in athletics as a member of NCAA Division I, having completed transition from NCAA Division II by 2009. SDSU's athletic conference affiliations include The Summit League for most sports, the Missouri Valley Football Conference (Division I FCS), the Western Wrestling Conference and Varsity Equestrian. The Jackrabbits have 21 varsity sports and numerous intramural and club teams.
The women's basketball team won the 2003 Division II Championship. In the spring of 2007 and 2008, the Jacks were invited to compete in postseason action in the WNIT. This made them the only transition team (a team that is in the process of being certified for a new division) in WNIT history to do so. In 2007, they received a bye in the first round and continued on to victories over Illinois State and Indiana, but were beaten by the eventual tournament champions, Wyoming, in the 4th round of the tournament. This was an exciting time at SDSU, as their home stadium, Frost Arena, was filled to capacity for both games with the game versus Indiana selling out in a matter of hours.
On March 10, 2009 the Jackrabbit women's basketball team won the Summit League Championship for the first time and played in their first NCAA Division I Tournament. They beat Texas Christian University in the first round 90-55 but lost to Baylor in the second round 60-58. That season they finished with an overall record of 32-3 and 17-1 in the Summit League. The Jacks women's basketball team is led by head coach Aaron Johnston. In 2010 the SDSU women again qualified for the NCAA tournament as a 14 seed, but lost in the first round to Oklahoma, eventual final four participant. SDSU finished with a 22-11 (14-4) record. On March 8, 2011, the Jackrabbit women won their third consecutive Summit League Championship, advancing the NCAA tourney for a third straight year. In 2012, the Jackrabbits men's and women's basketball teams both won Summit League titles, both gaining a berth in the NCAA Tournaments. The Jackrabbit women lost in the opening round of the 2012 tourney to the Purdue Boilermakers. The Jackrabbit men lost in the opening round to the heavily-favored Baylor Bears, a game that was decided only in the final seconds.
The Dakota Marker is the trophy awarded to the winner of the annual college football game played between the South Dakota State University (SDSU) Jackrabbits and the North Dakota State University (NDSU) Bison. The trophy is a replica of one of many stone boundary markers that can be found along the border between the states of South Dakota and North Dakota. SDSU won the first Dakota Marker game in Brookings, SD, in 2004. NDSU won the Dakota Marker games held in Fargo, ND in 2005 and 2006. SDSU won the Dakota Marker in Brookings in 2007 and in 2008 in Fargo as well as at home in Brookings in 2009. In 2009 SDSU made their first ever Division 1 FCS playoff appearance, but lost to eventual Runner-up Montana 61-48 in the first round, SDSU finished with a record of 8-4 and 7-1 in the MVFC. South Dakota State football owns one Great West Conference championship in 2007.
South Dakota State recently has released a master plan for renovations in its athletic department. The Dykhouse Student Athlete Center was a starting point for renovations. The Dykhouse is located in the north endzone of Coughlin Alumni Stadium and was opened in the spring 2010 following the spring football game. Plans are now underway for an indoor practice facility which will include a 300-meter track and an 80-yard practice turf suitable for indoor practice for most sports. Also in the master timeline is expansion of Frost Arena (Basketball) and a replacement 22,500-seat horseshoe football stadium.
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