Letter to the editor: Stay safe over D-Days

In establishing herself as the Flagship University of the State of South Dakota, the USD founders implemented the traditions of pride, persistence and progress that have carried this institution through her first 150 years.  Even before the state of South Dakota was admitted to the Union, the University of South Dakota had already admitted seven years worth of incoming students, demonstrating the school’s leadership and onward approach to education.  This week we have the opportunity to reflect upon the past 150 years, honoring the various alumni who have contributed so much to our school. Famous alumni such as Al Neuharth, Tom and Meredith Brokaw and Dennis Daugaard will all be returning to campus throughout the week to join us as we celebrate our school. We can honor the legacies they have created by making legacies of our own.

There is no better weekend to create our own legacies than during Dakota Days, aka, the greatest week of the year! Not only does Dakota Days represent the most widely known tradition associated with our school, but it also gives us an opportunity to demonstrate our school pride in the most jubilant form.  At the same time, we have to be smart. We have to show the people that are either visiting or returning to our school this week that we are still upholding the values and traditions implemented by the founders of our school. My advice for the next few days is this:

1. Remember that invincible, no matter what state of mind you find yourself in.
2. If you are not 21, remember that Dakota Days is only one weekend. You don’t want to make a mistake you wouldn’t normally make simply in honor of this weekend.
3. If you are 21, BE CAREFUL!!!! Dakota Days is not a sprint, it is a marathon.
4. Remember that we are celebrating the awesomeness that is the University of South Dakota. Make sure you cheer louder than you ever thought possible at the game on Saturday!!!
5. If you see a member of the Dakota Days planning committee, thank them. They have done such a fabulous job coordinating this fabulous week!
6. If you see a member of the administration, thank them for cancelling school on Monday. That was far too kind of them!!
7. When in doubt, yell HAPPY D-DAYS!!!! It is appropriate at any time throughout the next few days!
8. Hate State. If though we’re not playing them this weekend, just do it.

This is it USD. We are really doing it. It’s time again to spend the weekend celebrating Coyote family, Coyote pride, and Coyote football. It is our 150^th year; we owe it to our founding fathers to make it the best Dakota Days possible!

SGA President, Alissa VanMeeteren