VERMILLION, SD (GoYotes.com) — University of South Dakota Athletic Director Jon Schemmel has announced a $20 million dollar gift commitment fromMr. Denny Sanford to help build a new, state-of-the-art indoor track and field facility. The facility in honor of theBill and Jill Gassen family and, pending Board approval, will be known as theGassen Family Fieldhouse.
“I want to thank Mr. Sanford for this transformative gift to Coyote Athletics, and we are thrilled to honor amazing Coyotes in Bill and Jill Gassen,” commented Schemmel. “Not only will this gift build a world class indoor track facility, but it will also create an entire new home for our track and field programs, allowing us to turn the DakotaDome into a turf-down facility. All 430 of our student-athletes and the community of Vermillion will benefit tremendously from this investment.”
The gift from Mr. Denny Sanford matches the largest gift to South Dakota athletics in its history.
“Bill Gassen has demonstrated remarkable leadership as the President and CEO of Sanford Health,” said T. Denny Sanford. “I am pleased to honor Bill and his wife Jill with this gift to the University of South Dakota.”
Comments from Bill and Jill Gassen
“We are honored to celebrate the announcement of the Gassen Family Fieldhouse at the University of South Dakota, a gift made possible thanks to the unparalleled generosity of Mr. Denny Sanford. Mr. Sanford’s enduring commitment to investing in South Dakota has made it the greatest place in the world to pursue one’s academic dreams, thrive as a student-athlete and establish deep roots.
We are deeply grateful for our experiences at USD. It is not only where we earned our undergraduate and graduate degrees and had the privilege of competing as student-athletes, but it is also where we started our lives together 25 years ago. Today, we are blessed to be the parents of five children, all of whom aspire to attend USD when the time comes.
The mentorship we received from Coach Gotts (Dave Gottsleben) and Coach Lucky (Lucky Huber) has shaped our lives in immeasurable ways. We look back with joy and appreciation for the lifelong relationships we formed during our time at USD, many of which were forged through shared experiences with fellow student-athletes and coaches, including my brother Josh Gassen (USD Football) and his wife Marci Gassen (USD Track & Field).
We are thrilled about the opportunities the Gassen Family Fieldhouse will create for future generations of Coyotes. This facility will not only elevate the student-athlete experience but also strengthen the legacy of excellence and community that defines USD. Go Yotes!”
Plans for the Gassen Family Fieldhouse
The new indoor facility will feature a 200-meter banked track with a pair of perimeter warm-up lanes, plus a 60-meter straightaway. It will also feature a pair of long jump/triple jump pits, two pole vaulting stations, two high jumps over straightaways and a pair of throwing cages.
“This new indoor track facility will be a game-changer for our student-athletes. Having access to a world-class, 200-meter banked track, along with dedicated locker rooms, lounges and coaching spaces, ensures that our Coyotes can train, compete and recover at the highest level right here on campus,” said Director of USD Track and Field and Cross CountryLucky Huber. “More than just a building, this facility represents our commitment to giving students the resources they need to reach their full potential—athletically, academically and personally.”
The venue will feature elevated seating for 2,000 spectators and a viewing concourse that opens to the track and field events below.
As the new home of South Dakota track and field, the facility will also include coach offices, a recruiting lounge, a training and nutrition center, and locker rooms.
“For future Coyotes, this facility shows our commitment to giving you the best,” noted Huber. “You’ll train on the same caliber of track used at NCAA and World Championship meets, in a space built specifically for our athletes. When you choose USD, you’re choosing an environment where you can chase big goals, develop as a student-athlete, and prepare to compete against the very best.”
The new facility will also benefit the Coyote student-athletes of the softball and women’s tennis programs with batting cages and practice tennis courts.
ABOUT BILL & JILL GASSEN
Both graduates of USD, Bill graduated with a bachelor’s degree in criminal science in 2004 and a J.D. in 2008, while Jill earned her bachelor’s degree in biology in 2004 and physician assistant degree in 2006. Both were members of the track and field team. Jill competed in hurdles and pole vault, and Bill competed as a two-sport athlete, throwing shot put and starting at nose guard for the Coyote football team. Bill is the President and CEO of Sanford Health. Jill is a Physicians Assistant (PA) with the VA Hospital in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.