PIERRE, S.D.(SDBA)- The South Dakota Senate honored the South Dakota State Jackrabbits football team Wednesday afternoon.

The Jacks beat rival North Dakota State University earlier this month for the FCS National Championship in Frisco, Texas.

The festivities started with the Jacks being a prominent part of the prayer that starts the session.

That was followed by a two-minute standing ovation by Senators and citizens in the gallery.

Then, various officials read from the resolution honoring the Jacks, many exclaiming “Go Jacks” at the end of their section.

The entire SDSU football team joined Coach John Stiegelmeyer on the dais.

Stiegelmeyer said the Jacks won with teamwork–and many South Dakota young men.

Despite skepticism by some nearly 20 years ago, he said the Division I experiment for SDSU and the University of South Dakota has been a success.

He also said the victory helped to bring the state together.

Stiegelmeyer wished legislators to have a “national championship year” legislating this session.