University of South Dakota Athletics

Howard "Hod" Nielsen, a two-year letter winner for the Coyote football team in 1939-40, has been one of South Dakota's most recognizable sports figures for more than 40 years. Nielsen was a sportscaster for 35 years with KOTA Radio in Rapid City, SD, and KYNT Radio in Yankton, SD. He was named the South Dakota Sportscaster of the Year in 1976. Nielsen has been a sportswriter for the Yankton Press and Dakotan since 1967. He was nominated as the South Dakota Sportswriter of the Year in 1970. Nielsen has received several honors for his support and promotion of athletics at all levels. He received the NAIA District 12 Coaches Association Distinguished Service Award in 1972; the State High School Coaches Association Distinguished Service Award in 1975; the National High School Coaches Association Distinguished Service Award in 1977; and the South Dakota State Activities Association Distinguished Service Award in 1978. He also has been inducted into the South Dakota Intercollegiate Conference Hall of Fame (1985). Nielsen, a native of Yankton, attended USD from 1938-41. He served as a pilot for the Army Air Corps, earning a Distinguished Flying Class Air Medal during World War II.