Stories
Vermillion, S.D. – The University of South Dakota Athletics Department is celebrating a record-setting Howling Pack year in 2018-19. The Howling Pack is the annual fund for USD Athletics that promotes and financially supports the department and all individual athletic teams while encouraging the development of the student-athlete.
Because of the generosity of donors, alumni and fans, the Howling Pack raised $1.51 million, which came through memberships, the summer tour and the annual Calling All Coyotes Auction. Memberships increased by 12 percent with 235 new memberships, overall financial support increased by six percent and the annual Calling All Coyotes Auction raised $387,000, a record amount for that event.
“The Howling Pack supports scholarships and program enrichment opportunities to Coyote student-athletes to support them so they can excel on the field of competition and in the classroom,” said Assistant Director of Development for Athletics Jeff Seagren. “We couldn’t provide any of this without the support of alumni, donors and fans and of course, our dedicated staff, Howling Pack board and volunteers.”
“We are grateful for the level of support our Howling Pack members provide because they are dedicated to USD Athletics and passionate about providing opportunities to student-athletes and supporting the hard work of our coaches,” said Director of Athletic Development/Associate Athletic Director Andy Carr. “Their generosity creates a strong foundation for us and enables us to accomplish more every year.”
Among success on the competition surface, South Dakota had an outstanding year highlighted as the Summit League Commissioner’s Cup Champion. South Dakota used top-three finishes in 13 of 16 sports within the league to capture its first commissioner’s cup. Successes include women’s basketball earning an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament, the volleyball squad winning the Summit League Tournament to earn the league’s automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament and women’s cross country earning its fifth-straight Summit League Championship. Chris Nilsen repeated as the national champion at the NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championship, breaking his own meet record twice in the process.
In the classroom, South Dakota repeated as the Summit League’s academic champion, claiming the Institutional Academic Achievement Award with 105 student-athletes combining for 124 selections on the 2018-19 Commissioner’s List of Academic Excellence.
“The investment of USD alumni, donors, friends and fans is the cornerstone of our success and allows us to build for a stronger future,” Athletics Director David Herbster said. “We are able to offer a tremendous all-around experience for our student-athletes because of their generosity.”
The 2019-20 Howling Pack year started on July 1, 2019 and ends on June 30, 2020. Join the Howling Pack or renew your membership by visiting www.goyotes.com or contact a member of the Howling Pack team by calling (605) 741-0117. Go Yotes!