South Dakota

The South Dakota Coyotes represent the spirit of the Great Plains at the University of South Dakota in Vermillion. Since inception, the Coyotes have built a determined athletics program competing in The Summit League with vermilion and white pride. Their championship moments include the 1997 NCAA Division II men’s cross country title and a historic 1971 Women’s College World Series softball appearance. Recent successes include winning the 2016 WNIT over Florida Gulf Coast and breakthrough NCAA tournaments in women’s basketball (2014) and volleyball (2018). As charter members of the North Central Conference, the Coyotes embody prairie persistence and competitive tradition. The DakotaDome and Sanford Coyote Sports Center provide energized venues, rallying fans led by mascot Charlie Coyote. From Missouri Valley Conference football battles to diverse sports excellence, South Dakota athletics blend heritage with ambition. The Coyotes howl with pride, fostering champions forged by determination in the South Dakota prairie.