College GameDay Didn’t Find Brookings by Accident

(Photo courtesy of Ben Pierson)

A lot of recent articles attempt to explain why College GameDay found its way to Brookings, South Dakota.  Quickly many of those articles point out Wisconsin losing last week as the deciding factor. Or it’s due to NDSU coming to town. Or there were no other games to go to.  The fact of the matter is there are several key games that are still being played this weekend at the FBS level including Wisconsin (13) vs Ohio State (5) game. The Auburn (9) vs LSU (2) game would arguably be a strong contender as well.  ESPN did not view SDSU or the Brookings community as a consolation prize, they actively chose to come to Brookings. Looking at the factors that might have led ESPN to this decision, there would be a large injustice if we did not recognize the efforts of leaders in the Brookings Community and at SDSU.  

SDSU/NDSU Rivalry:

The first point that I don’t want to overlook is the fact that NDSU is one of the most successful universities in FCS history.  The last 8 years NDSU has won an FCS record 7 national championships.  With that amount of success it is easy for rivalries to fade.  This rivalry for several years did begin to fade.  Within the last few years, however, SDSU has found a way to reignite this rivalry.  Of the last 3 loses NDSU has had, 2 can be credited to the Jackrabbits.  The energy and atmosphere at these games is only something a rivalry of this stature can bring and is not something that is seen frequently at the FCS level.

The Brookings Community:

College GameDay did not just choose SDSU.  They chose Brookings.  Having graduated from SDSU and now working at SDSU a question that people frequently ask is “Why SDSU?”   Many students respond with proximity to home, cost, the right degree or program.  This is not the end all be all question for SDSU.  Why did you stay?  What made you continue to push through and finish your degree? Why did you find a job in the same area that you went to school? The answer: Brookings.  The community of Brookings has some of the most engaging and respectful people that you can find.  One on the reasons for this is the ever booming downtown. This area of town seems to have new and successful local businesses pop up all the time. Eponymous and Kool Beans are just two recent examples.  The community of Brookings is growing and thriving and people are noticing.  Brookings doesn’t just do small and local business well.  Brookings is home to several large employers. Some of these, such as Bel-Brands and 3M, are businesses that saw Brookings as an opportunity for growth and a rich recruitment environment for talented employees.  Other businesses, Daktronics and Larson Manufacturing, find their beginnings entrenched in Brookings.  Job growth and creation from businesses big and small including SDSU and Brookings Health Systems continues to bring and keep high quality and talented people in Brookings.  These talented people go on to create an environment that is welcoming, engaging, and addictive.

Transition to Division I:

11 Years.  It was just 11 years ago that SDSU met the requirements to become an active member of NCAA Division I athletics.  The work for this began years prior to the transition and took numerous people to assist in the process.  From athletic administration, to students, to student-athletes, to university leadership and political leaders; these individuals knew it was time for SDSU to make that transition.  Any change is met with road blocks.  The leadership of these individuals and the momentum that they created was one that you either joined or eventually conceded to.  Getting to this level was not the goal. Competing and belonging at this level was a must.  This goal was met head-on and success of many of the athletic programs came quickly.  From the success of basketball and baseball in conference tournaments, to the recent success of the softball and continued success for soccer. From the football program continually being one of the top 20 in the country to SDSU’s first Division I national championship coming from a successful wrestling campaign.  SDSU has proven that a national stage is something that is not a lofty goal but is something that can be met on a regular basis. SDSU does not limit that success to athletics but has seen academic and research accolades as well.

Facility Improvement:

I had the immense opportunity to work as an intern for SDSU Athletics during a phase of facility growth and expansion that is not typically seen.  The baseball and softball field upgrades and improvements were just the beginning tip of the iceberg.  Prior to joining as an intern SDSU was well underway in their athletic facility development.  Seeing the Dykhouse Student Athlete Center and the support of the student-athlete from an academic perspective is key to SDSU’s athletic identity.  Starting my internship was timed very closely with the opening of the Sanford Jackrabbit Athletic Complex.  This facility has created an opportunity for student-athletes to practice and engage their sports year-round. The well-being of student-athletes was tremendously improved upon through the partnership with Sanford. This facility has also hosted several high profile track tournaments.  It even has an indoor putting and chipping green for the golf team to practice on.  Arguably the center piece of the facility improvement at SDSU is Dana J. Dykhouse stadium with a capacity of over 19,000.  The athletic facility staff has done an amazing job supporting the transition from Coughlin Alumni Stadium. This was no surprise when SDSU kicked-off the opening of the stadium with a concert and the inaugural football game on the same weekend.  SDSU Athletics has continued to push to have premier athletic facilities through the addition of practice courts on Frost Arena and future plans to improve that facility.

Sustained Support throughout Growing:

SDSU fans have grown in numbers but there is that core group of people that have witnessed and been a part of SDSU’s journey.  Some of those include coaches who have successfully transitioned their programs through years and divisions.  The key group of people though are the fans that have preserved tradition and created an environment and platform for current and future Jackrabbit fans to enjoy.  I stumbled upon a video on South Dakota State Jackrabbits’ page of Facebook with Jim Woster. The excitement in this video for College GameDay did not start this week.  Jim’s energy has been present for a long time.  In the video Jim goes on to proclaim “I have been to games in all three stadiums… Go Big, Go Blue, and Let’s Go Jacks!”

For me the last part of Woster’s statement is not only a familiar Jackrabbit calling but a call to action.  We earned one of the biggest stages in all of colleen football. It’s time to show-up not just this weekend but, sustaining the energy and momentum moving forward. 

Go Jacks!

Nathaniel Condelli

-Nathaniel works for South Dakota State and is a 2017 graduate. He grew up in Balaton, Minnesota.