An Overview of the History and Traditions of

South Dakota State University GS 100 University Experience

Alumni Association StaffSouth Dakota State University Alumni

Association

Brookings, SDFall 2009

SDSU – South Dakota’s Comprehensive Land-Grant University

• What is a “Land-Grant”

• Morrill Act of 1862

• John O’Brien Scobey

• SDSU established in 1881

South Dakota State University’s Peer Group

SDSU Older then South Dakota

• Dakota Agricultural College - 1881

• SDAC - 1889

• South Dakota State College of Agriculture and Mechanical Arts - 1906

• SDSC – 1907

• SDSU - 1964

Jackrabbit Mascot • Barnyard Cadets

• 1905 - the Jackrabbit is born

• 2008 – a new look

A 1905 sketch from the Minneapolis Star Tribune depicting

the “South Dakota Jackrabbit” being stonewalled by the Gopher

football team

The “Running Rabbit” logo was adopted in 1971

February 19, 2008

Hobo DaySouth Dakota State University’s Homecoming

• First Hobo Day – November 2, 1912

• Hobo Week Leads to Hobo Day

• “Biggest one day event in the Dakotas”

The College Band dresses in hobo attire during The College Band dresses in hobo attire during Hobo Day in 1916Hobo Day in 1916

Spirits of Hobo Day

• Weary Willey – debuted in 1950

• Dirty Lil – debuted in 1976

Symbol of Hobo DayThe Bummobile

• 1912 Model-T Ford

• Has lead every Hobo Day Parade since 1938

• Complete restoration completed in 2009

Hobo Week

• Bum Olympics• Cavorts• Miss Homelycoming• Beard and Hairy Legs

Contest – “One Month Club”

• Paint the Town• Bonfire & Pep Rally

Parade and Game

• The Hobo Day Parade winds its way through Brookings

• Bands and Floats• Buttons and Mums• Tailgating and Football

The Icon of State

• The Campanile was a gift from Charles Coughlin class of 1909

• Construction began in the fall of 1928 and was finished in the summer of 1929

• Charles was originally from Carthage, SD

Coughlin Campanile

• The Campanile stands 165 feet tall• There are 180 steps to the

observation deck• Above the observation deck is a 37

foot chimes chamber housing 18 chimes

• The chimes sound each ¼ hour and may be played manually

• The “crown” atop the Campanile is 8 foot high and houses a 1,000-watt light.

• Total cost to build the Campanile - $75,000

• The record for the fastest assent is held by Troy Bouman ’94. He ran up the 180 steps in just 32 seconds

Cowbell

• On occasion rivals of SDSU have referred to our school as “Cow College” in an effort to besmirch our great school

• Robert Bloedel ’28 thought: why not embrace that image

• In 1926 he organized a group of students to bring cowbells to a game to make some extra noise in support of the Jackrabbits

• Cowbells have been a mainstay at SDSU athletics ever since

Ring the Bells

Ring the bell for South Dakota

The Yellow and the Blue;

Cheer the team from South Dakota

With loyal hearts so true;

Win the game for South Dakota

The school that serves us well;

We will fight for South Dakota

So let’s ring, ring, ring those bells!

The YellowYellow and the Blue We come from the Sioux and Missouri,

The Cheyenne and the Jim,

From pine clad peaks of the Black Hills,

Brim full of vigor and vim,

We sing the song of the prairie,

The home of the Yellow and Blue,

The gleaming gold of the corn field,

The flax of azure hue.

Oh SDSU hurrah for the Yellow and Blue;

Oh SDSU all honor and glory to you;

Forever raise the song in praise both loud and long

With loyal hearts so true.

Pride of the Dakotas

• Started 1902 as the Military Band with 25 members

• Today the Pride has over 300 members

• Presidential Inaugurals, Rose Parades, other special events

SDSU Ice Cream

• SDSU Dairy Plant process 10,000 pounds of milk a week

• Dairy products manufactured include 24 cheese varieties, butter, beverage milk, more than 90 flavors of ice cream and sherbet, and ice cream cookie sandwiches

• Cookies and Cream was invented at SDSU

From the Barn to Frost Arena

Senior SizzleFamily of the YearJack Rabbit’s Birthday BashAlumni TailgatesPresidential EventsOozeball

Fun!

Missy Keiper – 605-697-5198

“Once a Student, Forever an Alum”

Staters for State

Famous Alumni

1. Stephen Briggs ‘07– Founder of Briggs and Stratton

2. Cleveland Abbott ’16 – Athletic Director/Coach Tuskegee Institute

3. Dr. Theodore Schultz ’28 – Nobel Prize winner – Economics

Famous Alumni

1. Capt. Willibald Bianchi ’40 – Medal of Honor recipient

2. General William DePuy ’41 – first Commander of the Army’s Training and Doctrine Command

3. General Myrna Williamson ’60 – One of the first women in the nation to achieve the rank of Brigadier General

Famous Alumni

1. Jerry Lohr ’58 – Famous Wine Maker

2. David Chicoine ‘69 – 19th President of SDSU

3. Tom Daschle ’69 – Former US Senate Majority Leader

Famous Alumni

1. Jim Langer ‘70 – Superbowl Champion and NFL Hall of Fame

2. Mike Rounds ‘77 – Governor of South Dakota

3. Adam Vinatieri ‘95 – Superbowl Champion and NFL Pro Bowl

Questions?

GS 100 University Experience

Thank you!