College Sports Established
1881
Location
Brookings, South Dakota
College Name
South Dakota State University
Collegiate History
2005 - Present / NCAA Division I
Conference History
2007 - Present / Summit League
2005 - 2007 / Independent
Nickname
Jackrabbits - The South Dakota State Jackrabbits are one of the most beloved teams in college sports. But have you ever wondered where their nickname came from? It turns out that it has an exciting history!
It all began in 1904 when a group of South Dakota State University students decided to form a football team. At the time, the school had no official mascot, so they chose to adopt “Jackrabbit” as their unofficial mascot and team name. They chose this particular animal because jackrabbits were known for being tough and determined animals – qualities that these young men wanted to embody on the field!
Since then, “Jackrabbit” has become synonymous with South Dakota State athletics – both on campus and around the country. The Jacks have since won numerous championships over its long history, proving how resilient and determined these athletes are!
So next time you cheer your favorite team onto victory or wear your favorite Jacks apparel, remember that behind every tremendous athletic program lies a story about determination - like that found within our beloved South Dakota State Jackrabbits' nickname origins!
NCAA Championships
Baseball 0
Men's Basketball 0
Women's Basketball 0
Football 0
Soccer 0
- 2008
- 2019
- 2022
- 2023
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Summit League Success
The South Dakota State Jackrabbits baseball has been a member of the NCAA Division I Summit League since the start of the 2008 season. The program has appeared in 1 NCAA tournament at the Division I level, while making 8 at the Division II level. It has won 1 conference tournament championships and 1 regular season conference titles. As of ... -
Women’s Basketball Glory
The Jackrabbits played in the NCAA Women’s Division I Basketball Championship in each of their first five years of eligibility, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, and 2013. The also played in the NCAA D-I Basketball Championship in 2015, 2016, 2018 and 2019, making the Sweet Sixteen in 2019. The Jackrabbits played in the 2007, 2008, 2014, and 2017 Women’s WNIT Tournaments. ... -
Historic Win Streak
Prior to moving to Division I in 2004, the Jackrabbits were a power while in Division II. The team won 20 conference championships with the North Central Conference, advanced to the NCAA Division II Tournament 24 times, and won the 1963 NCAA College Division basketball tournament. Although initially struggling after the move to Division I, the team increased their win ... -
Two-Time National Champions
The Jackrabbits currently have a 12-year streak of qualifying for the FCS playoffs, the second-longest in the country at the FCS level. South Dakota State are two-times national champions. They achieved their first national championship win in school history on January 8, 2023, defeating North Dakota State 45-21. Then a year later on January 7, 2024, they repeated by defeating ...
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History of the Jackrabbits
Their success starts with basketball, where they've made six consecutive trips to March Madness since the 2012-13 season and won two Summit League Tournament Championships and four regular season championships. Not only that, but they’ve also produced some great players like Nate Wolters, who was drafted by the Milwaukee Bucks back in 2013, or Mike Daum, who is currently playing for the Denver Nuggets after being selected by them in the 2019 NBA Draft.
Moving onto football, SDSU has had an impressive run over recent years, making seven consecutive FCS playoff appearances from 2012-2018, including three semifinal berths (2012, 2016 & 2017). The program is led by head coach John Stiegelmeier, who has been at the helm since 1995 and has guided his team to five Missouri Valley Football Conference Championships (2009, 2011-14) plus another three runner-up finishes. They also hold a winning record against arch-rivals North Dakota State Bison, which speaks volumes about their dominance within the Missouri Valley Football Conference.
Last but not least, we can't forget about baseball, where SDSU holds eight NCAA Regional Appearances along with two conference championships under its belt while producing several MLB talents, such as Matt Chapman, Blake Treinen, and Chad Green, to name a few.
Overall, it’s safe to say that South Dakota State University has established itself nationally and regionally regarding collegiate athletics thanks mainly to its exceptional performance across different sporting disciplines throughout the last decade, especially basketball, football & baseball!
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