The Dakota State Trojans are the athletic teams that represent Dakota State University (DSU), located in Madison, South Dakota. The Trojans compete at the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) level as a member of the North Star Athletic Association.[2] The Trojans previously competed in the South Dakota Intercollegiate Conference (SDIC) from 1917–18 to 1999–2000, then in the Dakota Athletic Conference (DAC) from 2000–01 to 2010–11. During the 2025–26 academic year, Dakota State will be joining the Frontier Conference.[3] Dakota State's main rivalry is with the Dakota Wesleyan Tigers.[4]
| Dakota State Trojans | |
|---|---|
 | |
| University | Dakota State University |
| Association | NAIA |
| Conference | North Star Athletic Association |
| Athletic director | Bud Postma |
| Location | Madison, South Dakota |
| Varsity teams | 11 |
| Football stadium | Brian Kern Family Stadium |
| Basketball arena | DSU Fieldhouse |
| Baseball stadium | Flynn Field |
| Outdoor track and field venue | Dan Beacom Track Complex |
| Nickname | Trojans |
| Colors | Trojan blue, DSU blue, and gray[1] |
| Website | www |
Sports sponsored
edit| Men's sports | Women's sports |
|---|---|
| Baseball | Basketball |
| Basketball | Cross country |
| Cross country | Soccer |
| Football | Softball |
| Track and field† | Track and field† |
| Volleyball | |
| † = Track and field includes both indoor and outdoor. | |
Conference affiliations
editNAIA
- South Dakota Intercollegiate Conference (1917–2000)
- Dakota Athletic Conference (2000–2011)
- NAIA Independent (2011–2013)
- North Star Athletic Association (2013–2025)
- Frontier Conference (2025–)
Facilities
edit- Brian Kern Family Stadium: football[6]
- DSU Fieldhouse: basketball, volleyball[7]
- Dan Beacom Track Complex: track, soccer[8]
Notable athletes
edit- Josh Anderson - head football coach at Dakota State University
- Tom Bailey - professional baseball pitcher for the Perth Heat
- Charlie Flohr - head football coach at the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology
- Pat Behrns - former head football coach at the University of Nebraska at Omaha
- Sam Sather - current offensive lineman at Dakota State University[9]
- Tyler Kjetland - current offensive lineman at Dakota State University[10]
Notable coaches
edit- Josh Anderson - current head football coach for the Dakota State Trojans[11]
- Alex Kretzschmar - current head football coach for the Dakota Wesleyan Tigers[12]
- Jon Anderson - current assistant defensive backs coach for the Old Dominion Monarchs[13]
- Pat Behrns - former head football coach for the Nebraska–Omaha Mavericks and the North Dakota Fighting Sioux
- George Blankley - former head football coach for the Dakota State Trojans
- Gary Buer - former head football and baseball coach for the Dakota State Trojans
- Adam Dorrel - current head football coach for the Central Oklahoma Bronchos[14]
- Rudy Gaddini - former head football coach for the Milton Wildcats
- Cory Miller - current head football coach for the Oklahoma Panhandle State Aggies[15]
- Lee Moran - former head football coach for the Dakota State Trojans
- Tom Shea - current special adviser to the head coach for the Upper Iowa Peacocks
- Joel Swisher - former head football coach for the Dakota State Trojans, Augustana Vikings, Adams State Grizzlies, and Jamestown Jimmies
- Carson Walch - current director of player development for the Cleveland Browns[16]
- Al Weisbecker - former head football coach for the Dakota State Trojans and the Black Hills State Yellow Jackets
- Rich Wright - current head football coach for the Northwest Missouri State Bearcats[17]
References
edit- ^ "Dakota State University brand manual". Retrieved August 29, 2022.
- ^ Dannelly, Jason (April 27, 2013). "DSU accepts invite to join North Star Athletic Association". Victory Sports Network. Retrieved November 5, 2024.
- ^ DeSmet, Jordan (May 22, 2024). "Dakota State announces move to Frontier Conference". Keloland. Retrieved November 5, 2024.
- ^ Huntimer, Nick (August 24, 2018). "No. 25 DSU runs over rival DWU 27-18, keeps Commerce Cup". dsuathletics.com. Retrieved November 5, 2024.
- ^ "Athletics". dsu.edu. Retrieved November 5, 2024.
- ^ "Brian Kern Family Stadium". dsuathletics.com. Retrieved November 5, 2024.
- ^ "DSU Fieldhouse". dsuathletics.com. Retrieved November 5, 2024.
- ^ "Dan Beacom Track Complex". dsuathletics.com. Retrieved November 5, 2024.
- ^ "Sam Sather". dsuathletics.com. Retrieved November 5, 2024.
- ^ "Tyler Kjetland". dsuathletics.com. Retrieved November 5, 2024.
- ^ "Josh Anderson". dsuathletics.com. Retrieved November 5, 2024.
- ^ "Alex Kretzschmar". dwuathletics.com. Retrieved November 5, 2024.
- ^ "Jon Anderson". odusports.com. Retrieved November 5, 2024.
- ^ "Adam Dorrel". bronchosports.com. Retrieved November 5, 2024.
- ^ "Cory Miller". opsuaggies.com. Retrieved November 5, 2024.
- ^ "Carson Walch". clevelandbrowns.com. Retrieved November 5, 2024.
- ^ "Rich Wright". bearcatsports.com. Retrieved November 5, 2024.