USD to Celebrate Yotes “Through The Decades” in 110th Annual Dakota Days Oct. 6-12
“Dakota Days is a special time at USD,” said USD President Sheila K. Gestring. “The energy and pride shown by our students, alumni, faculty, staff and community is electric, and I look forward to another great year of events as we come together to celebrate our Coyote legacy.”
Take a trip in time with this year’s theme of “Through The Decades,” remembering the sights, sounds and Yotes of the past and present who make USD what it is today.
The official events kick off Sunday, Oct. 6, with the annual Paint the MUC Red from 4-7 p.m. Students are invited to help “paint the MUC” and enjoy food and giveaways while making posters and balloon arches.
Join the Yotes on Monday, Oct. 7, for the Dakota Days Kickoff Carnival. Held in Coyote Alley, this community and family-friendly event runs from 5-7 p.m., features a can’t-miss Dome Dog eating contest, and concludes with the Dakota Days Royalty Reveal at 7 p.m.
Campus will be buzzing with events and activities through the whole week, including a Rise and Dine presented by the Office of Multicultural Affairs on Tuesday, Oct. 8, a Coyote Campout with s’mores on the MUC West Lawn on Wednesday, Oct. 9, the ever exciting Downtown Street Dance on Thursday, Oct. 10 and a chance to enjoy a classic Yote Float at XIX Brewing Co. on Friday, Oct. 11.
USD is hosting two significant events on Thursday, Oct. 10. At 3 p.m., the university will host a grand reopening and ribbon cutting ceremony for the newly renovated South Dakota Union building. The event takes place outside on the front lawn of the South Dakota Union building. At 4 p.m., listen to a selection of USD’s Truman Scholars discuss their path to public service during a panel discussion moderated by President Harry S. Truman’s grandson Clifton Truman Daniel. The panel discussion takes in Old Main’s Farber Hall. Both events are free and open to the public.
Friday night, the USD Alumni Association will celebrate outstanding alumni for their personal and professional achievements, service within their communities and loyalty to USD during the Unleash Your Legacy Achievement Awards. This year, the association will honor Kelsey Smith ’10, ’16, David and Kathy Cullen ’76, Gene D. Thin Elk, and Ronald Place, M.D. ’86.
In addition to the individual recipients, the Maloney family, spanning four generations of dedicated Coyotes, will be honored as the Legacy Family of the Year.
Coyote pride will be in full swing Saturday morning as students, alumni and the whole USD community line the streets for the 110th annual Dakota Days parade. Starting at 9 a.m., the parade begins on Main Street near Vermillion High School. Themed floats, The SOUND of USD marching band and community leaders will make their way downtown and end at the intersection of Main and High Streets. A hospitality tent will be available at the Inman House at 415 E. Main St.
The week's events all lead to South Dakota Coyotes football taking on Northern Iowa at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 12, in the DakotaDome. Before the game, Coyotes and fans are invited to the Coyote Alley Tailgate, where students, alumni, faculty, staff and community come together to build support for the home team. Tickets to the game are available online.
Dakota Days is USD’s most highly anticipated campus tradition, and with so many ways to get involved, there is a chance for everyone to join in the Coyote experience.
Visit the Dakota Days webpage to see the full schedule of events and plan your week.
Go Yotes!
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