Plitzuweit, Nielson and Williamson renew coaching contracts
A trio of head coaches will continue their tenure at USD through the 2025-2026 academic year. Head women’s basketball coach Dawn Plitzuweit, football coach Bob Nielson and volleyball coach Leanne Williamson each signed five-year contract extensions with USD, Athletic Director David Herbster announced Tuesday. Plitzuweit’s contract will bump her annual salary from $214,700 in 2018 […]
Current and former USD students defend diversity offices in letter to Board of Regents
A group of USD students and alumni showed support for campus diversity offices after state legislators expressed concern to the South Dakota Board of Regents (SDBOR) about their role in promoting intellectual diversity Tuesday. Over 60 current and former students signed a letter defending USD’s diversity offices, which was distributed to the Board of Regents […]
The first 365 back in the 605: Todd Lee reflects on his return
April 6, 2018, was Todd Lee’s first day on the job as USD’s head basketball coach. The Huron, S.D. native, who graduated from USD in 1986, said he feels a sense of pride returning to Vermillion to coach. “To take over the program where you went to school is a really neat deal. The family’s […]
USD pole vaulter Chris Nilsen involved in domestic dispute
No charges have been filed after USD junior pole vaulter Chris Nilsen was involved in a “domestic situation” with his wife, Kelly Vogel-Nilsen, on April 7, 2019, according to a report from the Vermillion Police Department. At 1:08 a.m., a neighbor of Nilsen’s called the police after hearing a female yelling “help” from across their […]
USD Nursing hosts LOSS: Life of Suicide Survivors
In the Muenster University Center pit lounge Thursday night, Brad Hearst told students the story of his brother’s death. Hearst is the founder of Survivors Joining For Hope (SJ4H), a group dedicated to supporting the loved ones of those who passed away by suicide. A group, joined by the Paul Taggart Foundation, that spoke at […]
Letter to the Editor: Student binge drinking has lasting effects
To the Editor, Binge drinking does not only affect one’s health for a single night, but can have effects on one’s health for many years to come. According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, binge drinking takes a toll on the intellectual and social lives of students on campuses across the United […]
Special Olympics to return to Vermillion in May
The City of Vermillion will host the 51st Special Olympics Summer Games from May 16-18. 580 athletes, 250 coaches and 500 volunteers are expected to return to the founding location of South Dakota’s Special Olympics organization. Nate Welch, President and CEO of the Vermillion Chamber & Development Company (VCDC) said he can’t wait to have the […]
Dakotathon tops $200,000 fundraising goal at annual Dance Marathon
Updated at 9:50 a.m., 4/14/19. Lauren Soulek and Lexi Kerzman contributed to this story. Members of Dakotathon fell into tears and hugs on the floor of the Sanford Coyote Sports Center after seeing their final amount raised for the Children’s Miracle Network: $208,732.19. For the 22nd consecutive year, Dakothon and its 700 members kicked off […]
Population and Participation part II: Student demographics and their influence
This is the second part of a two-part series looking into student involvement on campus. Read part one here. Every August, on the Saturday after move-in day, student organizations on campus arrange their tables into a maze on a stretch of green grass somewhere in the bounds of campus. The Student Organization Fair is their […]
Population and participation: The inverse relationship at USD
This is part one of a two-part series looking into participation in student organizations across campus. The University of South Dakota has no issue attracting students to Vermillion. Student enrollment has maintained between 9,500 and 10,000 since 2014, and last fall the school introduced its largest class of incoming first-year students. But miscommunication exists between […]