you hThe Angel in South Dakota

[MadBird]

I wasn't able to figger out how to link an accessible newspaper article for this, saw it in two papers that seem to be protected, so thought I'd just print the whole thing here. I'm not sure this has an indoor facility, but I thought it just makes a point about how, you know, your angel just drops down out of the sky, and we might just not have one. Dakota State University -- look it up, some of you would say it should close, a state school with 3300 students. Interesting story.

South Dakota university is one step closer to building a new athletics complex. Dakota State University announced Thursday it had received a $10 million gift from First Premier Bank/Premier Bankcard, and Miles and Lisa Beacom, the largest single donation ever bestowed upon the school’s athletic program. The donation will go toward the Trojans United campaign, which will fund the athletics complex. Athletics director Jeff Dittman says the new complex will allow DSU to host more events and camps, as well as positively influence its ability to compete at the conference level. “This is a critical area of improvement for the university, as the athletics facilities are outdated and inadequate for a competitive collegiate program,” Dittman said. The new complex will feature a two-story concourse and outdoor facilities. “In order to continue to rise as an institution, we must offer our student athletes facilities that reflect our commitment to them,” said José-Marie Griffiths, president of DSU. Miles Beacom, CEO of Premier Bankcard, graduated from DSU in 1981 and is included in its athletics hall of fame. “Dakota State University has an extremely special spot in my heart,” Beacom said. “Today, there are so many great things happening on campus and Trojan Pride has never been stronger. Lisa and I are excited to make this lead gift, alongside First Premier Bank and Premier Bankcard, and we challenge others to step up and help us finish this project.”
A rendering of the new Dakota State University athletics complex.DAKOTA STATE UNIVERSITY

sorry about the title, keyboard running wild!!

 

[isuquinndog]

https://www.keloland.com/sports/dakota-wesleyan-will-be-receiving-a-new-sports-complex/

 

[Reggie Redbird]

We have an angel couple like this for the department, assuming commitments are held, but that money appears largely dedicated to golf.

We have other alums who could write a $1 million or $5 million or $10 million check today. Some already have a history of donating 7+ figures to other charitable causes. We have alums steering companies which could probably push through a sponsorship for naming rights to something that could help pay for an indoor facility. These alums just don't (yet?) have the level of passion for athletics to do so. We have folks working to grow that passion, but we aren't there yet with enough people to get the project done.

Broadly, as a university, ISU needs to develop the relationships to get into the top 2-3 of people's charitable causes and not the 3rd-5th level where donations are made but not the largest ones.

My hope is that we will see some positive announcements here soon about new gifts towards the indoor and other projects. I know baseball has had a lot of success here recently toward their covered batting cage, thanks for the work of Steve Holm, the rest of the coaching staff, and Sean Johnson.