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COLLEGIAN
MEDIA SCHEDULE
THURSDAY, NOV. 6
6 p.m. — Jackrabbit MBB vs. Daktoa State (YouTube)
FRIDAY, NOV. 7
1 p.m. — The Collegian Report
7 p.m. — Jackrabbit WBB vs. Rice (90.7 FM & YouTube)
MONDAY, NOV. 10
7 p.m. — Students’ Association Meeting (90.7 FM & YouTube)
TUESDAY, NOV. 11
7 p.m. — Jackrabbit WBB vs. Murray State (90.7 FM & YouTube)
WEDNESDAY, NOV. 12
Next Issue of The Collegian
AGDAY COLLEGE ROADSHOW VISITS
BROOKINGS
Excitement from agriculture students filled South Dakota State University’s campus last week as students gathered for the taping of the ‘AgDay College Roadshow,’ a national event that celebrates agriculture programs at America’s land-grant universities. For many SDSU students, it was a chance to see how a national television production comes together, while also...
— Charli Sherman Reporter ONLINE NOW
JACKRABBIT VOLLEYBALL
The South Dakota State volleyball team got two narrow victories last week to stay perfect in conference play at 12-0.
— Cordell Vitense, Sports Editor
DISABILITY SERVICES UTILIZES ONLINE SERVICE, ACCOMODATE
The Office of Student Accessibility, has transitioned to a new system, for those looking to get accommodations on campus. — Brie Peters, Reporter
ONLINE LATER THIS WEEK ONLINE NOW
POLICE DEPARTMENT DAILY CRIME LOG
SUNDAY, OCT. 26
• 12:40 a.m. — Warrant Arrest, 1700 block of Sixth Street
• 12:40 a.m. — DUI, 1700 block of Sixth Street
• 3:14 a.m. — Liquour/Posession/ Consumption, Caldwell Hall
• 9:23 p.m. — Simple Assault, University Police Department
MONDAY, OCT. 27
• 10:51 a.m. — Intentional Damage/ Vandalism, Young Hall
TUESDAY, OCT. 28
• 8:59 a.m. — Suspicious Persons/ Vehicle, Larson Commons
• 10:40 a.m. — Intentional Damage/ Vandalism, SDSU Dorms
WEDNESDAY, OCT. 29
• 12:41 p.m. — Harassment, University Police Department
THURSDAY, OCT. 30
• 9:13 a.m. — Intentional Damage/ Vandalism, Young Hall
JACKRABBIT BASKETBALL HOME OPENERS
The SDSU men’s and women’s basketball teams will play their first regular season home games — against Dakota State and Rice — this year.
— Cordell Vitense and Jacob Brende
ONLINE THURSDAY
FRIDAY, OCT. 31
• 8:55 p.m. — Drug/Narcotic Violations, 600 block of 20th Avenue
SATURDAY, NOV. 1
• 12:04 a.m. — Ficticious/False ID, 1100 block of Medary Avenue
• 10:50 p.m. — Drug/Narcotic Violations, 800 block of 13th Street
• 11:02 p.m. — Liquor/Possession/ Consumption, Binnewies Hall
CHARLI SHERMAN / COLLEGIAN MEDIA Students who attended the AgDay College Roadshow television taping were encouraged to bring signs supporting agriculture and SDSU programs. The show was broadcast nationwide on Farm Journal TV.
STUDENTS’ ASSOCIATION
Former student body vice president addresses senate
JORDAN ROEMELING Lifestyles Director
Former Students’ Association Vice President Hayden Bentz was ‘disappointed’ about the results of last week’s debate at this Monday’s meeting for SA.
A lengthy debate was held last week, discussing Amendment 25-1-A, a budget about campaign spending which would decrease presidential and vice-presidential spending from $2,500 to $750, and senatorial from $2,500 to $100. The amendment failed with 13 senators voting no, 9 voting yes, and 1 abstaining.
During public comment, Bentz spoke about his reactions after listening to the debate.
“No piece of legislation is perfect, and I think it’s a product of many different amendments that might be made to it and compromises made throughout the writing of it,” Bentz said. “(However) I ended up being a little disappointed by the vote that the Senate ended up taking out to legislation.”
He also explained how the $2,500 limit came to be during his time in SA as vice president, along with former SA President Trinity Peterson, after a past campaign ‘spent upwards of $10,000.’
“I think that is an absolutely absurd amount of money to spend on a student government campaign,” Bentz said. “So, really, we looked at that historical campaign spending and arrived at a figure of $2,500 (and) we felt that that was an appropriate amount of money at the time to initially set that camp at.”
Bentz thinks that each senator’s responsibility at SA holds more importance than the amount of money spent on campaigns.
“At the end of the day, we’re here to represent our fellow students,” Bentz said. “I think that is the greatest thing that we can do with representatives of our student body,”
Open Forum
Daniel Scholl, vice president for research & economic development and professor at SDSU, spoke about the importance of research for the University and what has been accomplished so far in the Pathway to Premier 2030 strategic plan for achieving R1.
Currently, SDSU checks off the box for the benchmark of $50 million of research expenditures, with $94
million spent in fiscal year 2026. However, the University does not reach the other benchmark of awarding 70 annual doctoral degrees.
“The threshold is 70,” Scholl said. “We award between 30 and 50 every year. It’s very volatile; it bounces around a lot.”
Scholl said that there is all kinds of research happening at SDSU, including working towards replacing red and yellow artificial dyes with natural sources.
These dyes are used in food products, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals, to name a few.
“That will become critically important as new federal policies come into effect that limit or eliminate the use of artificial or synthetic dyes,” Scholl said. “So, that’s one thing we’re doing here that’s very unique.”
Other research being done includes the use of artificial intelligence and flow dynamics for respiratory disease in pharmaceuticals, and a creativity project involving the making of an album in partnership with the School of Performing Arts, which may be recognized as a Grammy nominee in the future.
New Business Commemoration 25-2-C was approved, which celebrates November as the Native American Heritage Month at SDSU.
JORDAN ROEMELING / COLLEGIAN MEDIA
Former SA Vice President Hayden Bentz responded to a debate from last week, regarding electoral campaign spending, at the Monday night meeting in the Student Union, on November 4, 2025 in Brookings, SD.
Local wine bar makes wine approachable
KENEDEE SALONEK
Reporter
Mosaic Wine Bar & Small Plates in downtown Brookings aims to make wine culture, as well as their space, approachable for newcomers through education, diverse options and community events that encourage comfort and connections.
People who are new to the wine-drinking scene, such as college students, o en share the same questions as South Dakota State University junior Maycee Gustafson: “How do I even know where to start when looking at the menu?”
Husband and wife team Nathaniel and Katelyn Condelli own and operate Mosaic Wine Bar & Small Plates and describe it as a place where anyone can feel comfortable learning about wine, regardless of prior knowledge.
“We try to do events and specials that are approachable,” Katelyn said. “It’s about creating an experience that’s fun and easy to understand.”
One of the ways Mosaic introduces wine is through its ight options. Each ight includes four small samples, allowing guests to explore di erent styles without committing to a full glass.
When trying new drinks, being able to expand with more drinks at a lower cost for each can make it less intimidating.
Mosaic also o ers support and advice to satisfy customers with their choice of drinks.
“Sometimes people don’t have the same language around wine,” Nathaniel said. “We try to meet people where they are at and make it approachable.”
e drink menu changes frequently, o ering a range of seasonal wines from sweet to dry, along with red, white, rosé and sparkling options. Wine slushies are o ered during warmer months as well. Having a varied assortment helps ensure that everyone can nd something to enjoy.
e employees are happy to o er recom-
MOSAIC WINE BAR HOURS
Tuesday: 4-10 p.m.
Wednesday: 4-10 p.m.
Thursday: 4-10 p.m.
Friday: 2 p.m.-12 a.m.
Saturday: 2 p.m.-12 a.m.
Sunday: Closed
Monday: Closed
mendations and guidance when choosing a new drink to try.
A light menu of food emphasizes shared experiences with items such as charcuterie boards, crostini, hummus plates and locally made Cottleston bread.
“Our menu is built around conversation,” Katelyn explained. “It’s meant to be something people can enjoy together.”
Beyond beverages, Mosaic hosts events designed to attract a variety of age groups, including college students. e events are created by Katelyn, mostly consisting of other Brookings’ business incorporated events, themed nights and seasonal pairings such as Halloween wine-and-candy ights.
e atmosphere is an important factor that plays a role in the way the Condellis run Mosaic. Both Katelyn and Nathaniel agreed that the community of their spot in
SWIRL, SIP, SOCIALIZE
downtown is the thing they value most.
Brookings is something they put additional e ort into. Having a place for people to connect over a glass of wine is a goal they hope to achieve.
Mosaic’s schedule is designed with exibility in mind. It is open Tuesday through ursday from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m., and Friday and Saturday from 2 p.m. until midnight. is allows a wide range of customers to be able to come and go in their free time.
Mosaic seeks to make wine less intimidating and more accessible, especially for customers looking to explore something new in a relaxed setting.
“Whether you’re celebrating your 21st birthday or showing visitors around town, the Mosaic holds a place for you,” Nathaniel said.
COURTESY MOSAIC WINE BAR
RIGHT: A glass of red and white wine sit on a counter inside Mosaic Wine Bar. The wine bar has been open since 2021 and is open every Tuesday through Saturday.
Morrill gets a ‘facelift’
$440,000 tuckpoint project will help preserve old building
ADDIE EICH Reporter
A crew of four to eight workers started the slow and tedious process of preserving Morrill Hall in July and their job won’t be completed until next summer.
About every 20 years Morrill Hall undergoes a project called tuckpointing. Tuckpointing is the repair process that removes old mortar, and sometimes brick, and replaces it with new mortar and brick to help maintain the building’s structural integrity and prevent the building from suffering moisture damage.
David Law, director of project management and engineering, said the workers start by grinding off all the mortar joints on every brick. They then replace it with new mortar.
Law said this project is routine maintenance. He added that things come up on calendars and the university’s Facilities and Services Department personnel decide if they need to be done. It takes about a year to develop a project because they have to focus on allocating dollars to the project.
Luke Witte, project manager/engineer at SDSU, said that out of the five companies that submitted a bid, MidContinental Restoration Co. Inc., was awarded the contract via public bid to work on this project. This company is headquartered out of Fort Scott, Kansas.
If there is significant damage to any of the bricks, workers replace them. Law said when a brick needs to be replaced, a masonry contractor blends and matches the brick to the others on the building.
If tuckpointing isn’t done regularly, water gets inside the mortar and the freeze-thaw cycle breaks in and causes the bricks to shift or collapse. Tuckpointing also keeps the building looking nice.
“It’ll last a while,” Law said. “It could be another 20 to 30 years before we have to look at it again.”
South Dakota State University is required to allocate about $9 million to $10 million every year to reinvest into infrastructure around campus. Law said this money covers projects like tuckpointing, roofing and upgrading mechanical systems around campus. This money comes from a higher education fee in students’ tuition.
The tuckpointing on Morrill Hall will cost about $440,000 not including the cost of bid packs and additional costs, Law said.
Law said that recently two new generators were set up by Morrill Hall that help serve the data center for the campus. Additionally, officials hope to re-do the bathroom on the first floor, as well as installing new roofing drains in
the tunnels.
Morrill Hall has a long history. Construction started in 1911 on the middle and south wings of the building, and the north extension was added in 1918. Before it was named Morrill Hall in 2016, it was called the Administration
Building.
Morrill Hall was named in honor of Justin Smith Morrill, who is remembered for the Morrill Land-Grant Colleges Act. The building was built in stages with appropriations from the state Legislature.
Collegian photo
Crews from Mid-Continental Restoration Co. are working this fall to preserve Morrill Hall. The project started in July and after a break for the winter, it is expected to be done next August.
DAVID LAW
Centennial celebration for Ag department
MADISYN RAYMOND Reporter
The Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering at SDSU is marking its 100th anniversary this year.
ABE was started in 1925 to educate agriculture students on how to handle new technologies in the industry. Among the new technologies that year: tractors.
The department will celebrate its anniversary with a day-long event on Thursday, Nov. 6. The celebration will start in the morning with a farm equipment display from Case New Holland and Raven for students to interact with and continue through the night with an anniversary gala at Club 71 in the Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium.
The gala had an admission fee of $35 for students and $50 for general admission. The money collected from admission fees will contribute to a scholarship for a senior agricultural and biosystems engineering student to continue their education, said Kasiviswanathan “Muthu” Muthukumarappan, the Klingbeil endowed department head and distinguished professor.
“It’s important to recognize the accomplishments that have happened during the last 100 years, primarily so we know what we did and what are the opportunities that exist for the next 100 years and beyond,” Muthukumarappan said.
The agriculture industry has changed greatly since 1925 when the department was founded.
Now, the industry uses tractors, drones, automated systems and more in the production process.
Bryce Haubenschild, a sophomore agricultural systems technology and precision agriculture major said, “I think the thing that is so important about the department’s 100th anniversary is to recognize how much change has happened in that time and how drastically our idea of agriculture has evolved.”
The department’s mission is to give its students an elevated hand-on education that will help them serve in multiple
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURAL AND BIOSYSTEMS ENGINEERING
Majors: Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering, Agriculture Systems Technology, and Precision
Agriculture
Dean: Kasiviswanathan Muthukumarappan
Years active: 1925-2025
sections of the ag industry, Muthukumarappan said.
Today, the department offers three undergraduate majors: agricultural and biosystems engineering, agricultural systems technology (AST), and precision agriculture, and a graduate program for agricultural and biosystems engineering. Agricultural and biosystems engineering is an undergraduate engineering program within the Jerome J. Lohr College of Engineering.
It is unique from other engineering degrees because it focuses on “designing the equipment facilities related to
production agriculture,” said Van Kelley, a former department head of ABE. This may include tractors, buildings and drainage tiles.
Both the AST and precision agriculture programs are run by the College of Agriculture, Food, and Environmental Sciences. Agricultural systems technology has more of a practical application focus. Graduates generally work for the same companies as ag engineers, but they play more of a support role for farmers, Kelley said.
SDSU was the first school in the country to offer a four-year degree in preci-
sion agriculture, which looks at the use of agricultural technology and takes into consideration different economic factors.
“An ag engineer can design a sprayer. An AST student can help service and maintain that piece of equipment,” Kelley said. “The precision graduate is going to be the one that says, ‘OK, how much chemical and when do we need to do it and all the economic agronomic considerations that go into a good crop.’”
Agriculture relies upon these sectors in the industry. They “work toward feeding the world,” said.
Sydnee Hubner, a senior agricultural and biosystems engineering major, said, “Engineering is always updating, and equipment is always updating, and everything is always changing, but thankfully our program is, too.”
The department has continued to grow with the expansion of technology in the agriculture industry, and the department uses a council of industry professionals to keep up with the changes, Kelley said. According to Kelley, the industry advisory council encompasses broad sectors of the ag industry. The council meets a couple times a year and answers the department’s question:
“What should we be doing to prepare graduates that you want to hire?”
Kelley said this results in valuable feedback, donations, modified curriculum and job offers for students.
The department plans to continue promoting the future of agriculture for the next 100 years.
The work of the department plays a critical role in the agriculture industry, so Muthukumarappan is certain that the department will be at the forefront of the new developments – from cutting edge technology to cybersecurity and AI, that are the future of the agriculture industry.
According to Muthukumarappan, the department hopes to take enrollment to the “next level” – from 200 undergraduate students to 300 – and bring “more research dollars and outreach dollars so we can serve the stakeholders and rural community in South Dakota.”
UNIVERSITY MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS
Photo from the Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering’s (ABE) official page shows a drone being flown by a student. ABE celebrates their 100-year anniversary this year.
FLOWER POWER
South Dakota flower farm business grows in popularity
LAUREN JOHNSON Reporter
Lavender Lane Flower Farm is bringing color, calm and creativity to the Brandon area with its ‘you-pick’ flower fields that invite visitors to slow down and enjoy nature.
Owner Emmalie Holt said the idea for the farm began after a family trip.
“I visited a flower farm with my mom and sisters a few years back and fell in love,” Holt said. “My husband and I knew we wanted to live on an acreage, so when I told him that I wanted to start a flower farm, we started looking for an acreage.”
The Holts eventually found a perfect spot and decided to make it happen, and opened in 2022.
ABOUT LAVENDER LANE
What: Lavender Lane Flower Farm
Where: Brandon, SD
Hours: Wednesdays from 10-7 p.m., Saturdays from 8-4 p.m. and Sundays from 8-2 p.m.
Products: ‘You-pick’ flowers, bloom buckets, pumpkins and apparel
es, Lavender Lane has become a popular summer spot for residents from Brandon, Sioux Falls and beyond.
“Lavender Lane has brought something unique to the area. It gives people a reason to get outside, slow down, enjoy nature and spend time with friends and family,” she said.
She describes her experience at the farm by saying it’s a peaceful place to visit.
“It’s like stepping into a painting of bright flowers.”
For Holt, the most rewarding part of running the farm has been sharing it with others. She receives many messages from people who tell her how grateful they are to have such an experience in nearby towns.
The farm has become a customer favorite. Holt said they have people who visit multiple times in the summer.
They grow about 30 varieties of flowers, including local favorites like dahlias, zinnias and sunflowers. Visitors can stroll through rows of blooms, pick their own bouquet, or grab a prebloom bucket to take home.
Running a flower farm in South Dakota comes with unique challenges, Holt said. The short growing season means most seeds must be started indoors as early as Janurary, in order to to bloom by mid-July, adding that the unpredictable climate limits which varieties will survive.
And starting a new business wasn’t easy for Holt.
“I really did not have a framework or any experience with growing flowers,” she said. Despite the short season, and other challeng-
“We aim to have everything in the ground as soon as possible after the threat of frost,” Holt said. “Usually that’s around the end of May, beginning of June. Then we wait for everything, or at least most things, to be in full bloom, which for us tends to be mid to late July, which is when we open.”
“Every time someone wants to spend any part of their weekend with us means the world to us,” Holt said.
Lavender Lane has started hosting special events to give visitors new experiences. One event this summer involved a physical therapy studio that did a yoga class in the flower field.
The farm remains open through early fall, usually until the first frost. This season came to an end in mid-October.
“We’re looking to do more of that in the future,” Holt said.
When the season wraps up, Holt said there’s still plenty of work to do.
The Holts continue to look for ways to grow. They added pumpkins this year, and next year are hoping to add tulips and potentially other spring flowers. They also are planning to offer more ways to get their flowers, in hopes of adding subscription options for pickup.
“In the fall, we winterize the field and plant anything that can be planted in the fall, like tulips and a few perennials,” she said.
Holt said the biggest lesson she’s learned is flexibility.
“We mow down the dead flowers, pull up the fabric and watering system, and dig and divide dahlia tubers to prepare for the next season.”
Customers like Aubree Eller said Lavender Lane offers something special for the community. She wanted to visit with her best friends because she loves flowers.
“I am constantly humbled by owning a business. There is so much to learn, and I’m still learning new things every step of the way,” she said. “The biggest lesson I’ve learned so far is to have a backup plan whenever you can and learn to go with the flow.”
Courtesy LAVENDER LANE FLOWER FARM
The Lavender Lane Flower Farm, offers ‘you-pick’ flowers, bloom buckets, pumpkins and apparel for customers in Brandon, SD.
ALL-TIME HIGH
Jack’s Cupboard sees busiest stretch in history
SARA SCHOENFELDER Reporter
SDSU’s on-campus food pantry experienced the busiest stretch in its existence over a recent three-week span, according to one of the leaders of its student team. And staff who work at Jack’s Cupboard have said that so far, this semester has been the busiest semester since the pantry opened in 2018.
Jack’s Cupboard helped a record 163 students per week in that recent three-week stretch in October, according to Madeline Boie, one of the vice presidents of the student team. That’s the highest use since the pantry opened, Boie said. An average of 1,568 pounds of food was distributed each week during this time frame. Each week, “the line is out the door,” waiting for the pantry to open, Boie said.
But while the line may be long, it moves fast, according to Sloane Bertke, a faculty co adviser for Jack’s Cupboard. Bertke is the assistant to the vice president for
Student Affairs and Enrollment Management at SDSU.
“Eight students can be inside the building at a time, and so it filters through pretty quick,” she said.
Most of the students who use the service are there during the first hour it’s open, but after that it slows down, Bertke said. She added that “the line of 60 students gets through within the first 45 minutes.”
Bertke said current economic conditions and high prices at the grocery store may be why there is an increased demand at Jack’s Cupboard this year. The higher overall need means more people are using the food pantry.
And because of that high demand, there are limits on popular items such as bread, rice, butter and certain frozen foods. The limit is one per person in order to make using Jack’s Cupboard fair to everyone, Bertke said.
While there are limits on popular items, Bertke said that people can take as much as they want overall. However, trips are limited to once a week because what they
take should supply them until next week.
Jack’s Cupboard is open every Tuesday and Wednesday from 3 to 6 p.m. It’s located on the south side of Ben Reifel Hall.
This year, fresh produce has been donated by a local source, and that food item has been popular at Jack’s Cupboard. Boie said that as the weather turns colder, produce may become more limited, but it will return in the warmer seasons.
Last year, personal hygiene and health products were introduced to Jack’s Cupboard. This year, they continue to be an important part of the “holistic wellness” aspect of the food pantry, said Kay Arntson, president of the Jack’s Cupboard student team.
Products such as laundry detergent, toothbrushes, shampoo, conditioner, dish soap, deodorant, hair ties, feminine products and more can be found at Jack’s Cupboard, making it “more than just a place you can get food,” Arntson said.
During the One Day for State fundraiser in Sep-
COLLEGIAN PHOTOS BY SARA SCHOENFELDER
Jack’s Cupboard is open every Tuesday and Wednesday from 3 to 6p.m. with a variety of food and other necessities available to students.
tember, donors raised about $3,300 for the service. That money will go toward buying products to restock the shelves at Jack’s Cupboard, Arntson said.
Monetary donations can be made anytime through the SDSU Foundation website.
Another change this year involves the student team for Jack’s Cupboard, which increased from eight members to 20. With a bigger team, the students involved have been able to reach more people and spread better awareness about Jack’s Cupboard, Bertke said.
Student team members have created recipe cards that people can use to make homemade dishes incorporating items from the pantry.
Arntson said the student team is working to be more active on campus. This translates to hosting more events and placing additional donation boxes throughout campus. Currently, there are donation boxes in the Student Union, at the University Police Department, and in Caldwell Hall. Donations can also be brought to Jack’s Cupboard during open hours.
Physical donations are important because they add new products that Jack’s Cupboard may not normally buy, said Keri Pappas, a research associate at SDSU and one of the faculty co-advisers for Jack’s Cupboard.
Popular items to donate are pasta, rice, canned fruits and vegetables, ramen, macaroni and cheese, cake mixes, snacks, mini toothpaste, feminine hygiene products, and plastic bags.
Pappas said that donating items allows
people to get rid of food items they don’t plan on using and benefit people who need them.
Jack’s Cupboard is a “zero waste” oper-
JACK’S CUPBOARD
Where: On the South side of Ben Reifel Hall
Hours: Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 3 to 6 p.m.
How to help: Check out the sign-up genius to volunteer, or participate in upcoming events and food drives
Email: SDSU.jackscupboard@ sdstate.edu
Instagram: @jackscupboardsdsu
Facebook: Jack’s Cupboard
Jack’s Clubhub: Jack’s Cupboard
ation, according to Pappas, meaning they don’t throw out expired foods. Instead, they pass them on to Harvest Table, another organization in the community that puts expired foods to use.
Students who are interested in helping are able to volunteer at Jack’s Cupboard and no training is necessary. Applications to join the student team will open in the spring, and more information can be found on Jack’s Cupboard social media pages for joining the team or volunteering.
“We’ve always prided ourselves as students feeding students,” Arntson said,
adding that it is easy for anyone to get involved if they are interested.
Information on future food drives and other events will also be available on Jack’s Cupboard social media.
The service has an impact on many people, according to Pappas. She encourages students to use Jack’s Cupboard because it is a resource for everyone, no questions asked.
Boie said: “There is no economic status or background situation that you have to come from in order to utilize Jack’s Cupboard.”
Jack’s Cupboard, the food pantry on campus, is located in Ben Reifel Hall.
A recipe card for “crescent roll pizza bites” are offered next to the pizza crust mix inside of Jack’s Cupboard.
Rodeo to attract thousands to Brookings
Cowboys, cowgirls compete Friday, Saturday at Dacotah Bank Center
JAYDN BERKENPAS Reporter
The Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) Rodeo is coming to Brookings on Nov. 7 and 8, bringing two nights of entertainment to the Dacotah Bank Center. Each performance kicks off at 7 p.m., promising high-energy rodeo action for fans of all ages.
Attendees will see bull riding, saddle bronc, bareback riding, barrel racing, team roping, tie-down roping and steer wrestling. The rodeo will feature top professional cowboys and cowgirls from across the country.
Produced by Sutton Rodeo, the event has been a Brookings tradition for decades.
“Over time, it’s grown into a signature fall event that families, fans and visitors look forward to with excitement,” said Ashley Biggar, general manager of the Dacotah Bank Center.
Beyond the arena, the rodeo has a major impact on the Brookings community, drawing in thousands of visitors each year. Local hotels, restaurants and shops benefit from the influx of guests, while many area organizations participate as sponsors, vendors and volunteers.
“It (The rodeo) also opens doors for local organizations and businesses to get involved,” Biggar said. “Rodeos are all about bringing people together – and this one truly unites the community, creating shared memories and keeping the spirit of the West alive here in South Dakota.”
Including both nights of the event, the Dacotah Bank Center expects to welcome 4,000 to 5,000 spectators.
“It’s a fantastic mix of local families, life-long rodeo fans and visitors who travel in for the experience,” Biggar said.
The event is made possible through partnerships with First Premier Bank and Premier Bankcard, the presenting sponsors, along with numerous local businesses and community partners whose continued support helps the rodeo return each year.
Tickets are available at the Active Heating box office at the Dacotah Bank Center. The box office is open Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tickets are also available through the Ticketmaster website online.
“All seats are reserved, and the best ones go quickly,” Biggar said. “We always encourage people to grab their tickets early to get the best selection and ensure they don’t miss out.”
In addition to the main rodeo performances, guests can enjoy pre-show entertainment, intermission activi-
PRCA RODEO
Dates: Friday and Saturday
Time: 7 p.m.
Location: Dacotah Bank Center
Tickets: Available at the Active Heating Box Office or on Ticketmaster
ties and local food and beverage options. Attendees may also have the chance to meet some of the competitors and get a closer look at the animals.
Both Sutton Rodeo and Biggar agree that community support is what makes this event truly special.
“The energy in the arena is contagious,” Biggar said. “It’s amazing to see generations coming together to share in the excitement.”
Brooklyn Goelz, a senior animal science student, SDSU rodeo team breakaway roper and the 2025 Jackrabbit Stampede Ambassador, said, “I am most excited to see the community of Brookings come together to experience a weekend of professional rodeo action. I look forward to seeing classmates and team members at the rodeo as spectators or competitors.”
There will also be a Miss Rodeo South Dakota Pageant during the weekend. The titleholder will help with the event, sign autographs and carry the flags on horseback between competitions.
Goelz said the Miss Rodeo South Dakota Pageant will be at 7 p.m. on Saturday before the rodeo.
CLICK THOMPSON / PRCA
The PRCA rodeo coming to Brookings at the Dacotah Bank Center this weekend includes events such as barrel racing (shown here). Attendees will also see bull riding, saddle bronc, bareback riding, team roping, tie-down roping and steer wrestling.
SYCAMORES SHOCK JACKS
JACOB BRENDE
Sports Editor
SDSU is now in the midst of a two game losing streak after losing to the unranked, now 3-6 Indiana State Sycamores. The Jacks offense scored only one touchdown in the 12-24 loss.
The opening drive looked decent, as SDSU marched down the field after Luke Marble had 45 passing yards after two completions. After getting to Indiana State’s 30 yard line, however, the offense stalled. An incompletion and two running plays forced the Jacks to send out the kicking team and take a 3-0 lead.
Right away, the Sycamores struck back. Wide receiver Rashad Rochelle ran 95 yards on the kickoff for a special teams touchdown to give them the lead. Again, Marble would have another chunk play on the next drive, a 25 yard pass to Grahm Goehring getting the Jacks to the Indiana State 35 yard line.
SDSU almost turned the ball over after a fumble following a Marble pass, and then they actually turned the ball over
after a pass was intercepted in the end zone.
The Jacks defense would get their first drive of the game going with a three-andout, forcing a run for loss and an incompletion to get the offense the ball back at the Jack’s 15 yard line following an SDSU penalty. SDSU’s following eight play drive would also end in a turnover.
By the game’s end, SDSU put up 441 offensive yards that equated to one touchdown, two field goals and three turnovers. Defensively, they didn’t force a turnover but kept the Sycamores under 230 total yards. SDSU’s offense would convert 10/19 third downs, have more than 41 minutes of possession and 26 first downs. The offense could pick up yards and convert on third down, but they couldn’t finish their drives. Marble would end the game with 181 passing yards on 17/29 completions.
SOUTH DAKOTA
It’ll be another rivalry game for the Jacks as they head south to Vermillion
to play the 6-4 USD Coyotes. Last year, SDSU won in a close, overtime battle against the Coyotes. The Jacks are 33-23-1 in the rivalry.
“It’s a beautiful thing,” said coach Dan Jackson on the rivalry game. “It’s definitely going to bring some added energy, we’re gonna get the best from everybody we play, but you know in this type of game it’s gonna be a slug fest.”
Saturday, the Coyotes defeated the University of North Dakota 26-21 in a game that saw the Coyotes struggle offensively. They were able to fight for the win after going 2/9 on third downs, having more than 100 less offensive yards than UND and committing 11 penalties.
The Fighting Hawks went 6/11 on third downs and had 382 offensive yards. USD was able to get back into the game partly
because they were able to force three turnovers, a pair of interceptions and a fumble.
Six foot five quarterback Aiden Bouman leads the USD offense. He’s thrown for nearly 1700 yards this season and has a 58.4% completion percentage. Bouman isn’t much of a rusher, he has -82 rushing yards on the year with 18 attempts. His top weapon? L.J. Phillips Jr. He has 1296 yards on 206 attempts and leads the entire Missouri Valley Conference in rushing yards. It’s been a breakout season for the sophomore tail back, last season he only had 176 rushing yards.
It’ll be an opportunity for the Jacks to snap their losing streak with a game with an all too familiar opponent. Kickoff is scheduled for 3 p.m in Vermillion.
OWEN BOYD / COLLEGIAN MEDIA
LEFT: Greyton Gannon runs after receiving a pass in a football game against Indiana State on Nov. 1, 2025
RIGHT: Grahm Goehring catches a pass in a football game against Indiana State on Nov. 1, 2025
OWEN BOYD / COLLEGIAN MEDIA Running back James Basinger fights through contact during a football game against the Indiana State Sycamores on Nov. 1, 2025. Basinger ran for 57 yards on 14 carries in the 24-12 loss.
Book signing draws SDSU football fans
CORDELL VITENSE
Sports Editor
Author Tanner Castora showcased his new book last Saturday with a book signing in the Student Union from 10 to 11:30 a.m.
It wasn’t just Castora sigining copies of “Stig and The Rise of South Dakota State Football.” Former SDSU head coach John Stiegelmeier (Stig) and former SDSU quarterback and two-time National Champion Mark Gronowski joined Castora.
The idea of the book first started when Castora worked for KELOLAND News and covered the SDSU football team. One day, two years before Stiegelmeier retired, Castora was talking to Stig and brought up the idea of a book. According to Stiegelmeier, he just laughed and said yes, thinking it was a joke. But when Castora officially reached out about the book, Stig said “I had to go with it.”
The book is a biography of coach Stiegelmeier while also offering an inside look on the SDSU football program as they worked their way up to become FCS champions. Castora conducted over 120 interviews and worked on the book for two years to get to this point.
This book is focused on the history of SDSU football. A big part of that history is winning back-to-back National Championships. Quarterback for those title runs, Mark Gronowski, also sat down to be interviewed for Castora’s book.
“When it’s something for Coach Stig, considering how much of an impact he made on my career and how much of an impact he made in just SDSU as a whole,” Gronowski said. “If it’s something for him, I’ll do anything.”
During the book signing, there was a constant line of Jackrabbit fans waiting to get their book and other items signed. Castora, Gronowski and Stiegelmeier were all thrilled about the excitement the book brought.
“It is one of the coolest feelings ever,” Castora said. “The fact that something I created, people are interested in.”
Gronowski reflected on how it feels to be back in Brookings for the book signing.
“It feels awesome ... just to see everyone, see a bunch of old faces,” Gronowski said. “It’s a little bit surreal not being able to play here on Saturday and be able to watch the game from a different point of view, but I’m really excited to be back and it’s been a lot of fun so far.”
Stiegelmeier called the book an honor.
“It’s a reminder of how blessed I and our family were and how special South Dakota State is in so many people’s lives,” Stiegelmeier said.
Coach Stiegelmeier was also amazed and honored to have someone write this story about South Dakota State. “It’s kind of mind-boggling how hard he (Castora) worked,” Stig said. “And it really is our
story, because the National Championship is just a small part of it.”
Stiegelmeier said the book will rekindle a memories for a lot of people.
Gronowski echoed some of the same sentiments on what this book has done for him.
“It’s really cool to see what Tanner wrote in this book, and it brings back all those emotions and memories you had during those times,” Gronowski said.
Castora gave his final thoughts on why he thinks people should buy this book.
“It’s a behind-the-curtains inside look at South Dakota State football and it’s something I thought was needed. I didn’t think there was any other book quite like this,” he said. “Coach Stig is a unique person. He’s an inspiring man and through him, a lot of inspiring people
have come to South Dakota State. And I think anyone who reads this book will come away feeling the same.”
ABOUT THE BOOK
Title: “Stig and The Rise of South Dakota State Football”
Author: Tanner Castora
Page Count: 300 pages
Buy At: Tannercastora.com
HANNAH DEGROOT / HANNAH DEGROOT PHOTOGRAPHY
Author Tanner Castora (left), former SDSU quarterback Mark Gronowski (middle) and former SDSU head coach John Stiegelmeier (right) came together last Saturday to do a book signing of “Stig and The Rise of South Dakota State Football” that details coach Stiegelmeier career and a behind the scenes look at Jackrabbit football.
SDSU ONE STEP CLOSER
Jacks two games away from Summit League title
JORDAN RADDATZ
Sports Reporter
A lone goal early in the Summit League Women’s Soccer Championship quarterfinals was all South Dakota State needed to advance on Saturday night as SDSU defeated the Omaha Mavericks 1-0.
Zoe Wittkop kicked the first shot just 25 seconds into the match, but it was saved by University of Omaha goalkeeper Charlotte Huggard. The second shot by Jenna Maloy, just six minutes in, found the back of the net. The Mavericks attempted eight shots all game but were unable to convert, giving the Jacks the win at home.
Emma Brezenski led SDSU on offense with five shots and two on goal. Maloy and Hailee Christensen shot twice
each, while Mia Bosch had one shot and the assist for the goal. Lauren Schmidt and Payten Ivins led the Mavericks with two shots each. Jacks goalkeeper Mallorie Benhart and Mavericks goalkeeper Charlotte Huggard made five saves each.
“The beginning of games are really important, obviously. This time of year, one play can change the course of the game,” head coach Brock Thompson said. “I thought the first 20 minutes of the game was the best soccer we played all year.”
SDSU advances to the semifinal round of the Championship against the second-seed University of Denver in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The Pioneers finished 6-1-1 in conference play and defeated SDSU 1-0 in their last meeting on Oct. 9. They earned a bye into the semifinal round alongside top-seeded Oral
Roberts.
Samantha Dreiling leads the Pioneers offense with 37 shots and 15 on goal. She has three goals this season, two of which came in their season opener against the Air Force Academy. Leading in goals is Brooke Ahern, who has four goals on 29 shots, and Emma Thielbahr who has 20 shots. Goalkeeper Alina Santos has started in all but one game this season, putting up a .833 save percentage, the second-best in the conference behind Benhart.
“I think at the end of the day, any time we’ve played Denver over the years, whether it’s during the season or in the tournament, we know it’s going to be a really high level, hotly contested game,” Thompson said. “It’s going to come down to a play or two here or there.”
Game time is scheduled for 1 p.m
on Thursday, Nov. 6. The game will be streamed on the Summit League Network through Midco Sports Plus. The winner will advance to the championship game on Sunday to play the winner of No. 1 Oral Roberts or No. 5 Kansas City.
OWEN BOYD / COLLEGIAN MEDIA
Midfielder Jenna Maloy dribbles the ball past a defender during a soccer match aagainst Omaha on Nov. 1, 2025. Maloy was responsible for the lone goal the Jacks scored, being assisted by Mia Bosch and Zoe Wittkop.
JACKS FIGHT OFF RALLY Merrimack makes it close, but SDSU wins opener
JACOB BRENDE Sports Editor
SDSU Men’s Basketball started its season with a win that was not as close as the box score would show. After being down most of the game, Merrimack would have an 11-1 point run to take a 52-47 point lead halfway through the second half. A scoring streak by the Jacks would give them the lead. They held onto their momentum, and SDSU would go on to win their first game of the season, 75-66.
This season saw two former starters lost to the transfer portal and a new head coach in Bryan Peterson. The team showed that despite the losses they suffered, they are going to compete for the Summit League Championship.
Center Oscar Cluff was probably the most impactful player SDSU lost via the portal. He transferred to the top-ranked Purdue Boilermakers, and is the starting center for a team contending to win not just the big-ten, but a national title. Cluff put up huge rebounding numbers, averaging 12.3 a night. His 17.6 points a game scoring average also led the team.
Owen Larson was the team’s best three-point-shooter, averaging 39% from beyond the arc. He averaged 9.2 points a night, and now plays for the Drake Bulldogs with previous SDSU basketball head coach Eric Henderson.
With two impactful players now spending the rest of their careers elsewhere, the team looked to its bench to replenish the roster.
Jaden Jackson slotted into Owen Larson’s guard spot and immediately provided a spark to the offense. He scored a career high 23 points, and went five of eight from three. Last year, Jackson played in all 38 SDSU basketball games while being a starter in four. The now sophomore averaged 6.1, 2.2 rebounds and 1.2 assists per game in the 16.8 minutes he averaged per game.
EAN WETZEL / COLLEGIAN MEDIA
Guard Luke Haertle fights through Ollie Fell on his way to the basket in a basketball game against Mayville State on Oct. 29, 2025. SDSU won the exhibition match 109-61, shooting over 50% from the field and outrebounding Mayville State 40-27.
Sophomore center Damon Wilkinson didn’t play in every game last season, but was impactful in the minutes he got. He averaged 4.9 points and 2.4 rebounds a game, while averaging 58.5% efficiency. In his 19 minutes played on Monday, he scored ten points and grabbed nine rebounds. Wilkinson is stepping into the starting position that was previously held by Cluff last season.
Kalen Garry, Matthew Mors and Joe Sayler are returning starters from last
season. All three of them got on the scoring sheet against Merrimack, Mors leading the three in scoring with 16 points.
Against Merrimack, the team shot 42.1% from the field and 38.9% from three. Only two Jacks scored on a three point attempt, those being Jackson and Garry. The warriors shot 32.1% from the field and 27.6% from three. SDSU out assisted Merrimack 17-9, and out rebounded them 44-31.
On Thursday, the team will host its first game of the season with the Dakota State Trojans heading up to First Bank & Trust. They are coming off of a 55-43 win of Wisconsin-River Falls. Forward Lukas Morgan led the Trojans in scoring with 13 points, while wing Nathan Ojukwu had 12 rebounds. You can watch the 7 p.m. game on Midco Sports Plus.
JACKRABBITS WIN OPENER
CORDELL VITENSE
Sports
Editor
The Jackrabbits women’s basketball team got off to a good start on Monday night in the opening game of the season, getting a 78-62 win over the Creighton Bluejays, who were receiving top 25 votes.
CREIGHTON
The star of the game was senior Brooklyn Meyer, who shot 14 of 20 from the field on her way to 33 points. Meyer also grabbed eight rebounds, tallied five assists, blocked five shots and stole the ball once.
Sophomore guard Katie Vasecka also had a big showing with 18 points and two of three shooting behind the arc. Vasecka also tallied three assists and three boards. Another guard that had a solid night is senior Madison Mathiowetz, who shot three for three from the three-point line and three of five total of nine points on the night.
For the Bluejays, freshman guard Ava Zediker led the team in scoring. Zediker had 17 points on 5-7 shooting from the field, while also going 100% from the free-throw line.
Senior guard Kennedy Townsend had a rough night shooting, just over 35% from the field. But she did shoot four for eight from deep and managed 14 points on the night while also getting six boards. Early in the game, the Jacks were down 13-11 before a Vasecka three gave them a 14-13 lead with three minutes left in the first quarter. This was the last time that Creighton would have control of the game and the first quarter ended with SDSU leading 18-13.
In the second quarter, Creighton pulled back within two, down 32-30, before a 6-0 run by the Jacks to end the quarter gave SDSU a 38-30 halftime lead. In the third quarter, Creighton made a little bit of a run and closed the game to four points, but once again, SDSU responded and a Vasecka three pushed the lead back to seven. But Creighton
The Owls are coming off a perfectly mediocre season where they went 17-17. They finished below .500 in conference play with a 7-11 record in the American Athletic Conference.
Last season, Rice opened their season by hosting SDSU in a 65-63 loss for the Owls. The Owls led the Jackrabbits 52-39 going into the fourth quarter of that game but were outscored 26-11 in the fourth quarter.
Dominique Ennis, the Owls’ leading scorer from last year, returns for her senior season. The five-foot-nine guard averaged 12.2 points last season and shot 37% from three.
Junior guard Victoria Flores will also be a key piece for Rice as she averaged just over nine points a game and led the team in assists with over three per game.
Six-foot-one guard Hailee Adams led the team in rebounds in her redshirt sophomore season. Adams grabbed seven boards per game while also scoring just under seven points per game.
After Rice, SDSU will host Murray State on Tuesday, Nov. 11, at 7 p.m.
wouldn’t go away and closed the game to just two points with SDSU clinging to a 49-47 lead. Emilee Fox hit a three and give SDSU a 52-47 lead going into the fourth.
SDSU put on a show in the fourth and closed out the game with an 11-2 run to seal an opening night victory over the Bluejays to move to 1-0 on the season.
RICE
SDSU’s home opener will be Friday, Nov. 7, at 7 p.m. when they host the Rice Owls. This will be Rice’s season opener with their only game of the season so far being an exhibition match where they beat the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor 102-35.
FINN HOLSEN / COLLEGIAN MEDIA
Freshman Hadley Thul takes a shot over Augustana gaurd Miranda Lomax on Oct. 29 2025. Thul played 15 minutes in the opening game of the season against Creighton and recorded one rebound, one stealand two assists.
FINN HOLSEN / COLLEGIAN MEDIA
Senior gaurd Madison Mathiowetz dribbles the ball against Augustana on Oct. 29, 2025 in First Bank & Trust Arena.
