Coyotes to take on Missouri State at Homecoming in 2013

The South Dakota Coyote Football team will face the Missouri State Bears on October 5, 2013 for its homecoming game during the annual Dakota Days celebration.

What to Expect

"Back to Basics"
It was nearly unanimous that each position coach preached fundamentals this spring. Much time is typically spent working newcomers and those who redshirted into the system. Sometimes, it's simply a matter of where and how to line up before the ball is snapped.

"Year Two"
South Dakota defenders have played three different defenses in each of the last three seasons. The blueprint is unchanged for 2013, meaning instead of learning a new defense this spring, the Coyotes have been able to focus more on the concepts within the 3-4 look.

"Physicality"
The Coyotes had to get bigger and stronger and they have. Offensive and defensive coaches alike preached the need to be more physical in 2013.

"Harvey's Line"
Offensive line coach Brett Harvey is thrilled with the development of his group. The team had to replace center Tim Ross, but returns everyone else and should have Marc Murtha back and healthy this fall in a return from last season's leg injury.

"Bruise Brothers"
This term was coined by Yankton P&D writer Jeremy Hoeck when Joe Glenn was talking about redshirt freshmen running backs Jordan Roberts and Trevor Bouma, who have impressed this spring behind starter Jasper Sanders.

The Opposition

Missouri State had a 3-8 overall record last year, and beat the Coyotes in a close 27-24 game on Missouri State's home field. Going into the game in 2013 it will have faced Northwestern State, Iowa, Central Arkansas and Illinois State. One player to watch will be Missouri State's safety, Caleb Schaffitzel. The 2012 He registered a team-high 109 tackles for the Bears with 5 interceptions last season. All-America selection earned National Defensive Back of the Year laurels by the College Football Performance Awards last season and was named to the CFPA's Defensive Back Award Watch List this week. Schaffitzel earned the preseason honor along with 35 other returning FCS safeties and cornerbacks who will be vying for the top individual defensive back award in the Football Championship Subdivision this season. 

Now That's Art!

June 28, 2013:


The chapter house got a little more Beta Spirit with the Beta dragon added to its front step!


The men's artwork drew the attention of the National Fraternity on July 10, 2013, and was featured as a National Fraternity Facebook post.

This and other improvements will help make D-Day 2013 a welcoming return for the chapter's valued Alumni.

Looking Back -- Dakota Days 2012 Parade

The Gamma Alpha Chapter of Beta Theta Pi had two winning entries in the Dakota Days parade in 2012, snagging the First Place prize with this stunning float:

First Place Float

The Brothers had a great time building the float, preparing for the parade, and participating in all of the Dakota Days activities.

Some of the Betas working on the first place float entry!

And the Betas did not stop at just one float:

"Even our second float won second place in the parade!"

You can follow the progress and preparation for this year's Dakota Days as it approaches on the Gamma Alpha Facebook Page.

The Gamma Alpha Betas outside the Beta House for the beginning of Dakota Days 2012!

Dakota Days -- a Long Standing Tradition

"The first South Dakota Day at the University was Friday, November 20, 1914. The native townsmen of Vermillion and the oldest members of the faculty alike agreed that its equal has never before been seen in the University...South Dakota Day is a unique feature in the history of the University. It is not too much to say then that the day has come to stay as one of the annual features of the School, and that each year will see it bettered and enlarged, until it will become a traditional day to University students and Alumni." 

 –The Coyote, 1916.

South Dakota's annual homecoming celebration, Dakota Days - or D days - attracts spirited alumni back to campus while allowing current students to display their creativity in planning and promoting the week-long festivities. The celebration dates back to 1914 when President Robert. L. Slagle encouraged an event to "promote campus spirit and harmony." The result was "South Dakota Day" (later shortened to "Dakota Day" and now the week-long celebration "Dakota Days") as students elected royalty, built floats, paraded through the streets of Vermillion and cheered on the University's football team - in much the same way they do today.

Pay Now for Dakota Days Dinner Reservations

You can pay immediately for your dinner reservations here. Reservations are not final until they are paid. If you would prefer to print a reservation form and mail it in with a check, click here.

For online reservations to the Dakota Days 2013 Beta Dinner, choose the quantity of Adult Dinner Tickets from the drop-down menu following "ADULT DINNER TICKETS" (up to six), then click "Add to Cart."

If you want to purchase Student Dinner Reservations as well (either for a specific student, or as a donation to the Chapter), choose the quantity of Student Dinner Tickets from the drop-down menu following "STUDENT DINNER TICKETS" (up to six) then click "Add to Cart."

If you require more than six of either type of ticket, you may add additional reservations of either type to the Cart by repeating the process.

If you require both Adult and Student Tickets, select the desired quantity of one, then click on "Continue Shopping" to return to this page and select the desired quantity of the other. Both types of tickets at the ordered quantity will appear in your Cart.

Once you have established the correct amount of reservations, you may stay on the PayPal page to continue to checkout, or if you have returned here, click "View Cart" to get to checkout and complete your purchase. Reservations are not final until they are paid.

ADULT DINNER TICKETS ($30 ea.)

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STUDENT DINNER TICKETS ($15 ea.)

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