UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH DAKOTA

ABOUT SOUTH DAKOTA

Vermillion, South Dakota has been home to the University of South Dakota since its founding in 1862, when the institution enrolled just a handful of students in the Dakota Territory. Today, the university supports 16 varsity sports across its 9,971-student body, with its athletic programs competing in the Summit League at the Football Championship Subdivision level. The Coyotes field both men's and women's teams across traditional sports including football, basketball, cross country, golf, tennis, soccer, and swimming & diving, complemented by women's lacrosse and softball programs.

Summit League membership positions South Dakota within a competitive regional conference that spans from the Upper Midwest through the Great Plains, creating natural rivalries and travel-efficient scheduling. The athletic department manages robust programs in revenue sports like football and basketball alongside Olympic sports, maintaining facilities and coaching staffs across the Vermillion campus. With its D1-FCS football classification and balanced portfolio of 16 sports, the Coyotes serve as a significant part of the university's identity within the community and broader regional athletic landscape.