THE JACKRABBIT WAY Program Philosophy “Everything in our program is governed by our philosophy termed ‘The Jackrabbit Way.’ We have solid and consistent principles that we live by. Some of those principles are: • Team First • Excel • Character • Belief
• Effort
• Family
I have studied many programs that have trouble defining what they stand for. We know exactly what we stand for —‘The Jackrabbit Way.’”
Pressing On “Collegiate athletics is a very competitive arena. Every athlete in each program across America works extremely hard to accomplish their goals. The bottom line is, we at South Dakota State University Football want to stand at the top of any experience into which we enter. Whether it be the academic arena at South Dakota State University or the social arena in Brookings, we will work to be the best. Surely in the Missouri Valley Football Conference, we work to be the best. The ultimate goal is to stand at the top of all FCS football at the end of the season, having earned the National Championship. That is the Goal.”
Recruiting Approach “We see recruiting as a process to help student-athletes make one of the most important decisions in their lives. Our job is to educate recruits on South Dakota State University, Jackrabbit Football and the community of Brookings. We will be open and up front with the recruit and his family. One area we will be different than some schools is the fact that we will not do something in recruiting just to do it or because other schools are doing it. What we do in recruiting will have substance and there will be a reason for it. For the recruit, that is really an early glimpse of our program. We talk all the time that you never know when your effort will make a difference.
Everything we do in our program is important and we will do it to the best of our ability.”
Making the NCAA Playoffs “We have mixed emotions about our playoff game versus the University of Montana. Obviously, we were excited about making the playoffs and the opportunity to compete for a national championship. Many individuals outside of our locker room have the great feeling that we overachieved and are ahead of the curve. Those inside the locker room — players and coaches — do not feel we overachieved. A national championship is a true goal of our program and we are taking the correct steps to accomplish that goal. Being in the playoffs was a positive step. The only negative feeling from the playoffs is having been in position to be the No. 1 team in FCS and not finishing the deal. Did we learn something? I know we did and we look forward to the next playoff opportunity.”
Jackrabbit Football Alumni “Our program is part of a huge family of men who have worn the yellow and blue. Everything our program does is part of the history of South Dakota State University football. Many great student-athletes have invested in this program. When we talk about the football family, we are talking about all 1,198 living football alums. Our present players are proud to be part of this great tradition.”
COACH STIG