University of South Dakota

The University of South Dakota (USD) is a public research university in Vermillion, South Dakota. Established by the Dakota Territory legislature in 1862, 27 years before the establishment of the state of South Dakota, USD is the flagship university for the state of South Dakota and the state’s oldest public university.

It occupies a 274 acres (1.11 km2) campus located in southeastern South Dakota, approximately 63 miles (101 km) southwest of Sioux Falls, 39 miles (63 km) northwest of Sioux City, Iowa, and north of the Missouri River.

The university is home to South Dakota’s only medical school and law school. It is also home to the National Music Museum, with over 15,000 American, European, and non-Western instruments. USD is governed by the South Dakota Board of Regents, and its president is Sheila Gestring. The university has been accredited by the North Central Association of College and Schools since 1913. It is classified among “R2: Doctoral Universities – High research activity”.

University of South Dakota’s alumni include a total of 17 Truman Scholars, 12 Rhodes Scholars, and 1 Nobel Laureate (Ernest Lawrence ‘1922, 1939 Nobel Prize in Physics). The athletic teams compete in the NCAA’s Division I as members of The Summit League, except football, which competes in the Missouri Valley Football Conference.

University of South Dakota
150px University of South Dakota seal.svg
Former names
University of Dakota (1862–1891)
Motto Veritas (Latin)
Motto in English
“Truth”
Type Public research university
Established 1862; 162 years ago[1]
Parent institution
South Dakota Board of Regents
Accreditation HLC
Academic affiliations
Space-grant
Endowment $328.5 million (2021)
President Sheila Gestring
Academic staff
453
Students 9,971
Undergraduates 7,435
Postgraduates 2,536
Location
Vermillion

,

South Dakota

,

United States

17px WMA button2b42°47′10″N 96°55′31″W

Campus Town, 274 acres (1.11 km2)
Other campuses
  • Pierre
  • Rapid City
  • Sioux Falls
  • Yankton
Newspaper The Volante
Colors Coyote Red and white
   
Nickname Coyotes
Sporting affiliations
  • NCAA Division I FCS – Summit League
  • MVFC
Mascot Charlie Coyote
Website www.usd.edu
240px University of South Dakota logo.svg

History

The University of South Dakota was founded in 1862 by the Dakota Territorial Legislature which authorized the establishment of the University at Vermillion. The authorization was unfunded, however, and classes did not begin until 20 years later under the auspices of the privately incorporated University of Dakota, created with support from the citizens of Clay County.

Ephraim Epstein served as the first president and primary faculty member in the institution that opened in loaned space in downtown Vermillion. Before 1883 ended, the university had moved into Old Main, and the first public board was appointed to govern the institution.

Enrollment increased to 69 students by the end of 1883, and, by the time South Dakota became the 40th state in 1889, the university boasted an enrollment of 500 students. The school’s name was updated in 1891 to reflect the division of the Dakota Territory, becoming the University of South Dakota. USD’s first academic unit, the College of Arts and Sciences, was established in 1883.

The School of Law began offering classes in 1901; the School of Medicine in 1907; Continuing Education in 1916; the Graduate School in 1927; and the College of Fine Arts in 1931. The School of Business began offering classes in 1927 and has been continuously accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) since 1949.

It is the state’s oldest public university and is one of six universities governed by the South Dakota Board of Regents. USD has been accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools since 1913 and is a member of the Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities. The school houses the state’s only law and medical schools and the lone College of Fine Arts.

USD is also home to the state’s oldest and largest political science department. Within the program is the Farber Fund, named for university professor emeritus William O. Farber, which provides subsidy to political science and criminal justice majors to attend conferences, participate in study tours, complete internships, and study abroad.

The Sanford School of Medicine, a community-based program, emphasizes family medicine and primary care with the support and participation by practicing physicians and community hospitals throughout the state. Community hospitals and clinics provide teaching sites and the practicing physicians are teachers. The Lee Medical Sciences building houses the basic science education.

Campus

The University of South Dakota is based on a 216-acre (87 ha) campus along the bluffs near the Missouri River in the southeast corner of the state. The most prominent academic facility on campus, one of the school’s symbols, is Old Main. It was built in 1883, burned down in 1893, and was fully restored in 1997. Along with several classrooms, it houses the Oscar Howe Gallery and the University Honors Program. Farber Hall, a 190-seat theater used mainly for speaking engagements, is also in Old Main.

Campus and academic buildings

200px AlNeuharthMediaCenter
Al Neuharth Media Center, dedicated to Al Neuharth

USD opened the newly constructed Theodore R. and Karen K. Muenster University Center (MUC) for student use on February 17, 2009. The MUC houses the Student Activities Center, a campus dining facility, coffee shop, bookstore, convenience store and a number of lounge and TV areas. It was expanded on January 13, 2014, to include more food and entertainment options.

One of the newest additions to the campus is the Al Neuharth Media Center, named for the founder of USA Today. Dedicated in September 2003, the Neuharth Center houses the news and media organizations on campus, including the Freedom Forum’s South Dakota operations, South Dakota Public Broadcasting, the Department of Contemporary Media and Journalism, the campus newspaper

The Volante, campus radio station KAOR, and television station KYOT. Formerly an armory and athletic field house, the building was converted into a media center through donations made by Al Neuharth, a 1950 USD graduate.

USD’s Beacom School of Business moved into a new building in the fall of 2009. The previous building, Patterson Hall, is used as office space.

Galleries

The University of South Dakota has two main galleries: The John A. Day Gallery located in the Fine Arts building and the Oscar Howe Gallery located in Old Main. There are several other locations across campus that are designated gallery space, such as the hallway on the second floor of the Muenster University Center.

200px USDWellnessCenter
Student Wellness Center

Wellness Center & Dakota Dome

A $15 million, 61,000-square-foot (5,700 m2) wellness center opened in the spring of 2011. Located just north of the Warren M. Lee Center for the Fine Arts, the center includes state-of-the-art workout equipment, a multi-story climbing wall, multiple courts for basketball and volleyball, racquetball courts, and a three-lane walking/jogging track.

The DakotaDome serves not only as the home venue for the school’s football, softball, swimming, basketball, volleyball, and track and field teams, but also as a recreational center for the student body. It is South Dakota’s only domed football stadium, hosting the state’s high school football championships in November.

Housing

200px CoyoteVillage
Coyote Village Residence Hall

North Complex consists of four residence halls: Beede, Mickelson, Richardson and Olson. Richardson is the only non-freshmen hall in North Complex. Coed-floors in the North Complex house men and women on the same floor on opposite sides with lounges, laundry and restrooms as a visual barrier.

200px USDResidenceHalls
North Complex residence halls Olson (left) and Mickelson (right)

Burgess/Norton Complex are located just south of North Complex. Burgess and Norton Halls are near Dakota, Noteboom, East Hall, Delzell Education Center, and the Arts and Sciences Building. They consist of 3 floors each with single-sex floors and typically house sophomores.

Other residence halls include McFadden Hall, Coyote Village, and Brookman. McFadden Hall is for non-freshmen, graduate, professional and non-traditional students, outfitted with 25 four-person apartments and furnished individual single bedrooms.

Brookman hall is single rooms for upperclassmen, international students and graduate students. Coyote Village, the university’s newest residence complex, opened in 2010. Located just south of the DakotaDome, the four-story, 175-unit complex provides suite-style and apartment living for 548 students. Monthly rental rates for Coyote Village range from $453 to $658. All units are fully furnished and have wireless Internet. Coyote Village housing is available to all students. All full scholarship athletes live in Coyote Village.

Academics

200px BeacomSchoolofBusiness
Beacom School of Business
Academic rankings
National
Forbes 493
U.S. News & World Report 273
Washington Monthly 284
WSJ/College Pulse > 600
Global
THE 601–800
U.S. News & World Report 1680

The University of South Dakota has the state’s only law and medical schools. As of 2019, the university has seven colleges and universities offering 205 undergraduate and 75 graduate programs, including:

  • College of Arts and Sciences
  • Beacom School of Business
  • School of Education
  • College of Fine Arts
  • School of Health Sciences
  • School of Law
  • School of Medicine

Academics

  • Graduation Rate
    57%
  • Majors Available
    114
  • Student-to-Faculty Ratio
    16:1
  • Retention Rate
    80%

AP Credit Policy

Page no. 3

  • Offers credits

    Yes

  • Offers placement into advanced courses

    Yes

AP Courses Min Score Required Number of Credits Course Equivalent
2-D Art and Design 3 3 ART 121
3-D Art and Design 3 3 ART 121
Art History 3 3 ARTH 211
Biology 5 8 BIOL 151/L & 153/L
3 4 BIOL 151/L
Calculus AB 3 4 MATH 123
Calculus BC 3 8 MATH 123 & 125
Calculus BC: AB Subscore 3 4 MATH 123
Chemistry 5 10 CHEM 112/L & 114/L
3 4 CHEM 112/L
Comparative Government and Politics 3 3 POLS 141
Computer Science A 3 4 CSC 150
Computer Science Principles 3 Not available Not available
Drawing 3 3 ART 111
English Language and Composition 3 3 ENGL 101
English Literature and Composition 3 3 ENGL 210
Environmental Science 3 3 Not available
European History 3 3 HIST 122
French Language and Culture 4 6 FREN 202 & 392
3 3 FREN 202
German Language and Culture 3 3 GERM 202
4 6 GERM 202 & 392
Human Geography 3 3 GEOG 200
Latin 4 11 LATI 101, 102 & 201
3 8 LATI 101 & 102
5 14 LATI 101, 102, 201 & 202
Macroeconomics 3 3 ECON 202
Microeconomics 3 3 ECON 201
Music Theory 5 8 MUS 110 & 111
3 4 MUS 110
Physics 1 3 4 PHYS 111/L
Physics 2 3 4 PHYS 113/L
Pre-Calculus 3 5 MATH 115
Psychology 3 3 PSYC 101
Spanish Language and Culture 4 6 SPAN 202 & 392
3 3 SPAN 202
Spanish Literature and Culture 3 3 SPAN 202
4 6 SPAN 202 & 335
Statistics 3 3 STAT 281
United States Government and Politics 3 3 POLS 100
United States History 3 3 HIST 151
World History: Modern 3 3 HIST 111
4 6 HIST 111 &112

Study Options

Majors and Degrees

The college offers the following degrees: Certificate, Associate, Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctoral

  • A

    • Accounting
    • Adult and Continuing Education Administration
    • American Indian/Native American Studies
    • Anthropology
    • Art Teacher Education
    • Art Therapy/Therapist
    • Art/Art Studies, General
    • Audiology/Audiologist
  • B

    • Bioengineering and Biomedical Engineering
    • Bioethics/Medical Ethics
    • Biology Teacher Education
    • Biology/Biological Sciences, General
    • Biomedical Sciences, General
    • Business Administration and Management, General
  • C

    • Ceramic Arts and Ceramics
    • Chemical Technology/Technician
    • Chemistry Teacher Education
    • Chemistry, General
    • Clinical Laboratory Science/Medical Technology/Technologist
    • Clinical/Medical Social Work
    • Communication Sciences and Disorders, General
    • Community Health and Preventive Medicine
    • Computer and Information Sciences, General
    • Counseling Psychology
    • Counselor Education/School Counseling and Guidance Services
    • Criminal Justice/Safety Studies
    • Curriculum and Instruction
  • D

    • Dental Hygiene/Hygienist
    • Drama and Dance Teacher Education
    • Drama and Dramatics/Theater Arts, General
    • Drawing
  • E

    • Early Childhood Education and Teaching
    • Economics, General
    • Educational Evaluation and Research
    • Educational Leadership and Administration, General
    • Educational/Instructional Technology
    • Elementary Education and Teaching
    • Elementary and Middle School Administration/Principalship
    • English Language and Literature, General
    • English/Language Arts Teacher Education
    • Entrepreneurship/Entrepreneurial Studies
    • Ethics
  • F

    • Finance, General
    • Fine/Studio Arts, General
    • Foreign Language Teacher Education
    • Forensic Science and Technology
    • French Language Teacher Education
    • French Language and Literature
  • G

    • General Studies
    • Geology/Earth Science, General
    • German Language Teacher Education
    • German Language and Literature
    • Graphic Design
  • H

    • Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General
    • Health Teacher Education
    • Higher Education/Higher Education Administration
    • History Teacher Education
    • History, General
    • Hospital and Health Care Facilities Administration/Management
  • I

    • International/Globalization Studies
  • J

    • Journalism
  • K

    • Kindergarten/Preschool Education and Teaching
  • L

    • Language Interpretation and Translation
    • Legal Studies
    • Liberal Arts and Sciences/Liberal Studies
  • M

    • Management Information Systems, General
    • Management Science
    • Marketing/Marketing Management, General
    • Mass Communication/Media Studies
    • Materials Chemistry
    • Mathematics Teacher Education
    • Mathematics, General
    • Medical Science/Scientist
    • Museology/Museum Studies
    • Music History, Literature, and Theory
    • Music Performance, General
    • Music Teacher Education
    • Music, General
  • N

    • Non-Profit/Public/Organizational Management
  • O

    • Occupational Therapy/Therapist
    • Organizational Leadership
  • P

    • Painting
    • Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Studies
    • Philosophy
    • Photography
    • Physical Education Teaching and Coaching
    • Physical Therapy/Therapist
    • Physician Assistant
    • Physics Teacher Education
    • Physics, General
    • Political Science and Government, General
    • Printmaking
    • Professional, Technical, Business, and Scientific Writing
    • Psychology, General
    • Public Administration
    • Public Health, General
  • R

    • Reading Teacher Education
    • Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse
  • S

    • Science Teacher Education/General Science Teacher Education
    • Sculpture
    • Secondary Education and Teaching
    • Secondary School Administration/Principalship
    • Small Business Administration/Management
    • Social Science Teacher Education
    • Social Work
    • Sociology
    • Spanish Language Teacher Education
    • Spanish Language and Literature
    • Special Education and Teaching, General
    • Speech Communication and Rhetoric
    • Speech Teacher Education
    • Substance Abuse/Addiction Counseling
    • Superintendency and Educational System Administration
    • Sustainability Studies
Special Academics Program
  • Accelerated Study
  • Cross-Registration
  • Distance Learning
  • Double Major
  • Dual Enrollment of High School Students
  • Honors Program
  • Independent Study
  • Internships
  • Liberal Arts/Career Combination
  • ROTC, Army
  • Student-Designed Major
  • Study Abroad
  • Teacher Certification
  • Undergraduate Research
  • Visiting/Exchange Student Program

 Admissions

  • Acceptance Rate
    99%
  • Regular Application Due
    Not available
  • SAT Range
    1150–1290*
  • ACT Range
    19–25*

By the Numbers

These ranges reflect what most admitted students scored, but many are outside these ranges.

GPA Range

3.75+
40%
3.50–3.74
21%
3.25–3.49
13%
3.00–3.24
11%
2.50–2.99
11%
2.00–2.49
3%
Below 2.00
1%

SAT Range

  • Total 400 1600 1150–1290
  • Reading 200 800 570–650
  • Math 200 800 540–680

ACT Composite Range

  • 13619–25
Acceptance Rate99% Not Selective
  • Total Applicants
    5,381
  • Admitted
    5,321
  • Enrolled
    1,380

Application Requirements

  • High School GPA: Required
  • High School Rank: Required
  • College Prep Courses: Required
  • SAT/ACT Scores: Recommended
  • Recommendations: Considered but not required

Application Deadline

Plan your path to success! Track down application deadlines for your top colleges by visiting the college website.

Application Process

Application Fee

$20

Application Types Accepted
  • Common Application

 Costs

  • Average Per Year After Aid
    $18,378
  • Students Receiving Financial Aid
    50%
  • Average Aid Package
    $11,017
  • Financial Aid Application Due
    Not available

Tuition

Average Net Price$18,378 per year
Your net price is a college’s cost of attendance minus the grants and scholarships you receive. The net price you pay for a particular college is specific to you because it’s based on your personal circumstances and the college’s financial aid policies. Use the college’s Net Price calculator for the most accurate estimate of your net price.
Average Net Price by Household Income

<$30k

$15,653 per year

$30-48k

$16,813 per year

$48-75k

$18,725 per year

$75-110k

$21,006 per year

$110k+

$21,482 per year

Sticker Price

In-State Tuition

$9,432 per year

Out-of-State Tuition

$12,942 per year

Other Costs

Housing

$10,356 per year

Books and Supplies

$1,200 per year

Personal Expenses

$3,204 per year

$1,743 per year

Financial Aid

Financial aid can include grants, loans, scholarships and work-study jobs. Financial aid packages vary depending on your financial need. Most colleges determine financial need based on your FAFSA.

Distribution Details
  • Students Receiving Financial Aid

    50%

  • Freshmen With Need and Received Financial Aid

    61%

  • Percent of Need Met

    62%

Aid Package Details
  • Average Aid Packages Awarded

    $11,017

  • Need-Based Scholarship or Grant Award

    Scholarships and grants don’t need to be paid back.

    $6,717

  • Need-Based Loan Amount

    Loans must be paid back.

    $4,005

  • Non-Need-Based Aid

    $2,882

  • Debt at Graduation

    The typical amount of loans a student must pay back.

    $28,443

Tuition Guarantee Plans

Tuition at time of first enrollment guaranteed only to students making advance payment

Financial Aid Dates

Dates are subject to change, so confirm important deadlines by visiting the college website.
Application Due: Not available

The last day to apply for financial aid or turn in related paperwork.

Priority Application Due: Apr 1

Applications received prior to this date will be given the strongest consideration. Still apply for financial aid if you don’t make this due date.

Notification Date: Not available

When students receive a letter with the amount and types of aid the college is offering.

Response Due: Not available

The deadline for students to respond to the college’s aid offer.

 Campus Life

  • Setting
    Rural
  • Undergraduate Students
    5,239
  • Average Per Year for Campus Housing
    $10,356
  • Sports
    Club, Intercollegiate, Intramural, NCAA Division I and NCAA Division IAA

Housing

Average Housing Cost

$10,356 per year

First-Years in College Housing

89%

Housing Options
  • Apartments For Single Students
  • Coed Housing
  • Fraternity/Sorority Housing
  • Living Learning Communities
  • Men’s Housing
  • Theme Housing
  • Women’s Housing

Extracurricular

Sports

The sports programs offered and athletic scholarships available are below.

 

 

  • Archery
    • Men’s: Club, Intramural
    • Women’s: Club, Intramural
  • Badminton
    • Men’s: Intramural
    • Women’s: Intramural
  • Baseball
    • Men’s: Club
  • Basketball
    • Men’s: Intercollegiate, NCAA Division I Offers Scholarships
    • Women’s: Intercollegiate, NCAA Division I Offers Scholarships
  • Bowling
    • Men’s: Intramural
    • Women’s: Intramural
  • Cricket
    • Men’s: Club, Intramural
    • Women’s: Club, Intramural
  • Cross-Country
    • Men’s: Intercollegiate, Intramural, NCAA Division I Offers Scholarships
    • Women’s: Intercollegiate, Intramural, NCAA Division I Offers Scholarships
  • Diving
    • Men’s: Intercollegiate Offers Scholarships
    • Women’s: Intercollegiate Offers Scholarships
  • Football
    • Men’s: Intercollegiate, NCAA Division IAAOffers Scholarships
  • Football (Non-Tackle)
    • Men’s: Intramural
    • Women’s: Intramural
  • Golf
    • Men’s: Intercollegiate, Intramural, NCAA Division I
    • Women’s: Intercollegiate, Intramural, NCAA Division I
  • Racquetball
    • Men’s: Intramural
    • Women’s: Intramural
  • Rugby
    • Women’s: Club
  • Soccer
    • Men’s: Club, Intramural
    • Women’s: Intercollegiate, Intramural, NCAA Division IOffers Scholarships
  • Softball
    • Men’s: Intramural
    • Women’s: Intercollegiate, Intramural, NCAA Division IOffers Scholarships
  • Swimming
    • Men’s: Intercollegiate, NCAA Division IOffers Scholarships
    • Women’s: Intercollegiate, NCAA Division IOffers Scholarships
    • Men’s: Intramural
    • Women’s: Intramural
  • Tennis
    • Men’s: Intramural
    • Women’s: Intercollegiate, Intramural, NCAA Division I
  • Track And Field
    • Men’s: IntercollegiateOffers Scholarships
    • Women’s: IntercollegiateOffers Scholarships
  • Track: Indoor
    • Men’s: NCAA Division I
    • Women’s: NCAA Division I
  • Track: Outdoor
    • Men’s: NCAA Division I
    • Women’s: NCAA Division I
  • Triathlon
    • Women’s: IntercollegiateOffers Scholarships
  • Ultimate Frisbee
    • Men’s: Club
    • Women’s: Club
  • Volleyball
    • Men’s: Intramural
    • Women’s: Intramural, NCAA Division I
  • Volleyball (Sand)
    • Men’s: Intramural
    • Women’s: Intramural
  • Weightlifting
    • Men’s: Intramural
    • Women’s: Intramural
Activities
  • Army ROTC
  • Campus Ministries
  • Choral Groups
  • Concert Band
  • Dance
  • Drama/Theater
  • Film
  • International Student Organization
  • Jazz Band
  • Literary Magazine
  • Marching Band
  • Music Ensembles
  • Musical Theater
  • Opera
  • Pep Band
  • Radio Station
  • Student Government
  • Student Newspaper
  • Symphony Orchestra
  • Television Station

Student Body

  • Total Undergrad Students

    5,239

  • Total Graduate Students

    2,773

  • Full-Time Students

    4,551

  • Part-Time Students

    2,518

Race and Ethnicity
  • Black or African American

    4%

  • Asian

    1%

  • Hispanic or Latino

    6%

  • Multiracial

    3%

  • Pacific Islander

    Less than 1%

  • Unknown

    1%

  • White

    80%

  • International (Non-Citizen)

    4%

Student Primary Residence
  • Out-of-State

    41%

Student life

The University of South Dakota has over 170 student organizations.

Greek life

Fraternities include the following:

  • Phi Delta Theta
  • Delta Tau Delta
  • Beta Theta Pi
  • Sigma Alpha Epsilon
  • Tau Kappa Epsilon
  • Lambda Chi Alpha
  • Pi Kappa Alpha

Sororities include the following:

  • Pi Beta Phi[33]
  • Kappa Alpha Theta
  • Alpha Phi
  • Alpha Xi Delta

Homecoming – Dakota Days

The homecoming tradition of Dakota Days started in 1914 under President Robert L. Slagle. In 2014, USD celebrated its 100th Dakota Days.

Media

Student media

Through the Media and Journalism department, the University of South Dakota offers three opportunities for students to gain experience working with different media outlets: Coyote News, Coyote Radio, and The Volante.

Coyote News

In fall 2005, USD’s Media & Journalism Department revived its weekly live 30-minute television newscast, Coyote News. It is entirely produced, directed & reported by USD students. The newscast airs Wednesdays at 5:00 PM with an encore broadcast at 6:00 PM on KYOT-TV, Cable Channel 21.

The newscast can be viewed throughout Vermillion as well as numerous other cities in southeast South Dakota. Radio newscasts began airing Wednesdays at noon on KAOR-FM, 91.1 Coyote Radio. The 10 minute live radio newscast is entirely produced and reported by USD students.

The individual stories and features of Coyote News Radio and TV can be viewed online. Coyote News Daily Updates can be viewed through social media and heard daily on Coyote Radio. The KYOT-TV and KAOR-FM studios are located in the Al Neuharth Media Center on USD’s campus.

Coyote Radio

In 2011 KAOR FM was renamed Coyote Radio, following the University of South Dakota’s decision to end the U. Campaign. The central on-campus headquarters for KAOR Radio is the Al Neuharth Media Center while the transmitter lies atop Slagle Hall on USD’s campus.

The Volante

The Volante (Spanish for “steering wheel”) has served as the campus newspaper since 1887. It is published every Wednesday morning during the school year. Managed entirely by students, The Volante prides itself on its editorial independence.

The paper has won numerous awards, including a number of Best of Show and Pacemakers. In October 2011 it was awarded its 8th Pacemaker Award, sometimes called the Pulitzer Prize of college journalism, by the Associated Collegiate Press.

The paper includes news, sports, opinion and verve (arts and entertainment) sections. The paper also has a frequently updated website, which includes campus news, staff blogs and podcasts. The Volante generally maintains a staff of 20 students.

Department media

The Vermillion Literary Project Magazine is a literary journal published by the English Department of the University of South Dakota. The VLP Magazine is staffed by undergraduate and graduate students in the school and advised by faculty. Submissions are received from around the world and evaluated via a blind review. The award-winning publication is annual and in 2012 will celebrate its 30th year of press.

South Dakota Public Broadcastin

The university is home to South Dakota Public Broadcasting. It is a network of Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) television and NPR radio stations serving the state of South Dakota. The stations are operated by the South Dakota Bureau of Information and Telecommunication, a state agency. The studios and offices are located at 500 N. Dakota Avenue in the Al Neuharth Media Center on the west edge of campus.

Athletics

200px USDDakotaDome
DakotaDome, home of USD football and other athletics

The University of South Dakota sponsors six sports for men (football, basketball, swimming & diving, cross country, track & field and golf) and nine sports for women (basketball, swimming & diving, cross country, track & field, golf, soccer, softball, tennis and volleyball). The school’s athletic teams are called the “Coyotes” (pronounced Ki Yoat) and nicknamed the “Yotes” (Yoats). The school colors are red and white.

USD competes at the NCAA Division I level (Football Championship Subdivision in football) and is a member of The Summit League for all sports except football. Its football team is a member of the Missouri Valley Football Conference. Athletic facilities include the DakotaDome, for football and indoor track, the Sanford Coyote Sports Center for volleyball and men’s and women’s basketball, First Bank & Trust Soccer Complex and Lillibridge Track Complex.

The long-time intrastate rivalry between the Coyotes and South Dakota State Jackrabbits ended in 2003 when SDSU moved to Division I athletics and the Coyotes remained in Division II. USD eventually moved up to Division I and in the 2011–2012 academic year, SDSU and USD resumed regularly scheduled contests in most sports when the Coyotes joined the athletics conferences in which SDSU was a member, the Summit League and the Missouri Valley Football Conference.

The University of South Dakota fight songs include South Dakota VictoryHail South Dakota and Get Along Coyotes.

The University of South Dakota’s mascot of Coyotes comes from a horse race in 1863 in which a Dakota horse outran a horse from Iowa, in which someone from Iowa stated, “look at the Kiote run.”

Notable alumni and faculty

[edit]

Among the thousands of graduates from the University of South Dakota, notable alumni in the field of journalism include Al Neuharth, founder of the USA Today B.A., 1946; Greg Mortenson, author of Three Cups of Tea and Stones into Schools B.A., 1983; Tom Brokaw, American broadcaster and longtime NBC Nightly News anchor B.A., 1964.

The University is notable for its numerous alumni in the field of politics and government including former U.S. Senators James Abourezk, Tim Johnson, Larry Pressler; and current U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson as well current U.S. Senator John Thune.

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