History of the Jackrabbits
The South Dakota State Jackrabbits are a powerhouse in collegiate sports. They have earned their place among the best college athletes with multiple NCAA tournament appearances and conference titles. Since joining Division I in 2004, the Jackrabbits have been among the most successful teams in all college sports.
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!
Jackrabbits Products
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
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