Coyotes officially claim Division-I status

After a four-year long wait, the University of South Dakota has finally received the news that it has completed the transition to NCAA Division I. A letter sent from the NCAA was received Thursday, August 2, and confirmed the coyotes are DI effective during the beginning of the 2012-2013 academic year.

“Words cannot express how excited all the staff in this athletic program are to have received official word that South Dakota has completed its transition to NCAA Division I athletics,” USD Athletic Director David Sayler said in a statement.

USD learned that it had successfully completed the steps required to become Division I in March of this year. The transition process started in the 2007-2008 academic year with an exploratory year, and remained in transition phase for four years.

“This is a precursor of great things ahead for this athletic program and this University. I want to thank all of the University staff members and members of the community that helped in this process as well, for it truly has been a group effort. It is a great day to be a Coyote,” said Sayler.

Holding an active Division-I membership means that all Coyote teams now have eligibility for the NCAA postseason competition. This also means that for the first time, USD student athletes can officially be considered and ranked in NCAA national statistics.

The Coyote football program will be competing in the Missouri Valley Football conference this fall for its first year. Tickets for the anticipated USD v. SDSU game went on sale Aug. 1.

The rest of USD athletic teams are members of the Summit League.

For full schedules on USD athletics, go to the Coyotes athletic page at www.goyotes.com.

For ticket information call the Coyote Ticket Office at 605-677-5959.