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Here is part of Chris Solaries story. The rest can be found at:
http://www.argusleader.com/apps/pbcs...504210315/1001
The Sioux Falls prize
published: 04/21/05
South Dakota State University baseball players (from left) Kyle Knott, Paul Fishback and Jared Huber, along with their teammates, played the University of Minnesota at Sioux Falls Stadium. SDSU and the University of South Dakota have been trying to tap into the Sioux Falls market.
(stuart villanueva / argus leader)
When the South Dakota State University baseball team burst out of the dugout Wednesday at Sioux Falls Stadium to play the University of Minnesota, it began a new day in the city's athletic scene - and not simply because it was the debut of NCAA Division I sports in Sioux Falls.
More Division I events are on the way, including football and men's basketball games before New Year's, which some say could bring a bump to businesses in the city.
"You're looking at a really historical moment for South Dakota State and Sioux Falls," Mayor Dave Munson said. "People are going to want to go out and see something that has a new beginning."
The Jackrabbits' ascent to the highest level of intercollegiate sports also marks the dawn of a growing competition with three other universities for donors, sponsorships and - most of all - fans in Sioux Falls.
"There is competition for the athlete and for the dollar," USF Athletic Director Willie Sanchez said. "That's one of the things that you see now with South Dakota State trying to market this town."
Division I effect
Those athletic directors admit SDSU's bold move changed the landscape. And the Jackrabbits bringing Division I sports to South Dakota is another step toward their goal of becoming the state's top entertainment option.
"You've got to worry about your agenda, and you've got to do that in a way that you are good partners with other universities," said Fred Oien, SDSU's athletic director. "But at the same time, you've got an obligation to make your university work."
SDSU commissioned Conventions, Sports and Leisure International (CSL) to do a market analysis in 2002, before making the move to Division I. That report indicated that more than 450,000 people live within a 75-mile radius of Brookings - the bulk of them live in Sioux Falls and its nearby bedroom communities.
Oien, who also wants to expand SDSU's presence in Rapid City, has been working with the management at the Sioux Falls venues for baseball, football and basketball to use the facilities at times when other tenants aren't.
The Brookings university, the largest in the state, will play a football game at Howard Wood Field on Oct. 8 against Division I-AA foe California-Davis, then a men's basketball game against Division I Manhattan at the Arena on Dec. 20. The baseball team expects to return to Sioux Falls Stadium next year for games against Kansas and nationally ranked Nebraska.
At Wednesday's game, 1,073 fans showed up on a drizzly, overcast day. The Jackrabbits return to Sioux Falls on Tuesday night to play Creighton University.
SDSU isn't the only school to bring its games to a larger market at the Division I level. Michigan State University played a men's basketball game against Kentucky last year at Ford Field in Detroit, which is about the same distance from Michigan State's campus as SDSU is from Sioux Falls. The universities of Florida and Georgia recently completed a long run of holding their games in Jacksonville, Fla., which is between the schools.
"It's pretty common that people move games around," Oien said. "It's just part of what you do to build and show off for your alumni base and make it a gathering spot for them to come to."
Minnehaha County is SDSU's largest alumni base, with 5,771 graduates living here, according to the school's alumni association.
The CSL report also said SDSU ranks in the mid-to-low range of Division I schools in many categories, including sporting-event spending in the school's primary and secondary markets. That highlights the importance of generating fan support in the Sioux Falls area.
"It's simple marketing to bring our product to Sioux Falls," Oien said. "I think our people in Brookings clearly understand now that by coming to Sioux Falls, we have a chance to have more fans come into Brookings, which will be a benefit to Brookings."
Karla Pfeifer, director of sales for the Ramkota Hotel, said she has already been receiving interest from SDSU and California-Davis for their October game.
Evan Nolte, president of the Sioux Falls Chamber of Commerce, said that type of increase for restaurants and hotels is anticipated with the influx of SDSU events. He said that having Division I sporting events also helps to market and enhance the city's image.
"This kind of sports activity is always positive, especially for a city like Sioux Falls that's growing as a regional city and moving toward the next tier of major cities."
http://www.argusleader.com/apps/pbcs...504210315/1001
The Sioux Falls prize
published: 04/21/05
South Dakota State University baseball players (from left) Kyle Knott, Paul Fishback and Jared Huber, along with their teammates, played the University of Minnesota at Sioux Falls Stadium. SDSU and the University of South Dakota have been trying to tap into the Sioux Falls market.
(stuart villanueva / argus leader)
When the South Dakota State University baseball team burst out of the dugout Wednesday at Sioux Falls Stadium to play the University of Minnesota, it began a new day in the city's athletic scene - and not simply because it was the debut of NCAA Division I sports in Sioux Falls.
More Division I events are on the way, including football and men's basketball games before New Year's, which some say could bring a bump to businesses in the city.
"You're looking at a really historical moment for South Dakota State and Sioux Falls," Mayor Dave Munson said. "People are going to want to go out and see something that has a new beginning."
The Jackrabbits' ascent to the highest level of intercollegiate sports also marks the dawn of a growing competition with three other universities for donors, sponsorships and - most of all - fans in Sioux Falls.
"There is competition for the athlete and for the dollar," USF Athletic Director Willie Sanchez said. "That's one of the things that you see now with South Dakota State trying to market this town."
Division I effect
Those athletic directors admit SDSU's bold move changed the landscape. And the Jackrabbits bringing Division I sports to South Dakota is another step toward their goal of becoming the state's top entertainment option.
"You've got to worry about your agenda, and you've got to do that in a way that you are good partners with other universities," said Fred Oien, SDSU's athletic director. "But at the same time, you've got an obligation to make your university work."
SDSU commissioned Conventions, Sports and Leisure International (CSL) to do a market analysis in 2002, before making the move to Division I. That report indicated that more than 450,000 people live within a 75-mile radius of Brookings - the bulk of them live in Sioux Falls and its nearby bedroom communities.
Oien, who also wants to expand SDSU's presence in Rapid City, has been working with the management at the Sioux Falls venues for baseball, football and basketball to use the facilities at times when other tenants aren't.
The Brookings university, the largest in the state, will play a football game at Howard Wood Field on Oct. 8 against Division I-AA foe California-Davis, then a men's basketball game against Division I Manhattan at the Arena on Dec. 20. The baseball team expects to return to Sioux Falls Stadium next year for games against Kansas and nationally ranked Nebraska.
At Wednesday's game, 1,073 fans showed up on a drizzly, overcast day. The Jackrabbits return to Sioux Falls on Tuesday night to play Creighton University.
SDSU isn't the only school to bring its games to a larger market at the Division I level. Michigan State University played a men's basketball game against Kentucky last year at Ford Field in Detroit, which is about the same distance from Michigan State's campus as SDSU is from Sioux Falls. The universities of Florida and Georgia recently completed a long run of holding their games in Jacksonville, Fla., which is between the schools.
"It's pretty common that people move games around," Oien said. "It's just part of what you do to build and show off for your alumni base and make it a gathering spot for them to come to."
Minnehaha County is SDSU's largest alumni base, with 5,771 graduates living here, according to the school's alumni association.
The CSL report also said SDSU ranks in the mid-to-low range of Division I schools in many categories, including sporting-event spending in the school's primary and secondary markets. That highlights the importance of generating fan support in the Sioux Falls area.
"It's simple marketing to bring our product to Sioux Falls," Oien said. "I think our people in Brookings clearly understand now that by coming to Sioux Falls, we have a chance to have more fans come into Brookings, which will be a benefit to Brookings."
Karla Pfeifer, director of sales for the Ramkota Hotel, said she has already been receiving interest from SDSU and California-Davis for their October game.
Evan Nolte, president of the Sioux Falls Chamber of Commerce, said that type of increase for restaurants and hotels is anticipated with the influx of SDSU events. He said that having Division I sporting events also helps to market and enhance the city's image.
"This kind of sports activity is always positive, especially for a city like Sioux Falls that's growing as a regional city and moving toward the next tier of major cities."
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