University of South Dakota Athletics

Ken and JoAnne Beringer of Vermillion, South Dakota, have been season ticket holders for more than half a century. They arrived in Vermillion in 1964, and spent the greater part of three decades serving as teachers, coaches, and business managers for the Vermillion School District and USD. JoAnne, who served as a mentor and friend to so many college students, worked at USD for 24 years as assistant registrar. Ken was the head track and field coach and an assistant football coach at Vermillion High School. He was also the Director of Housing at USD, and an assistant to the superintendent of the Vermillion School District, serving briefly as superintendent. Ken served more than 50 years as an official and referee throughout the region and was assigned to 54 high school state tournament games.
 
JoAnne was raised in Scotland, South Dakota, while Ken grew up in Tyndall, South Dakota. Both attended Southern State Teachers College. Ken went on to earn his master’s degree from USD. The couple raised three kids, Joe, Jeff and Jon. They have six grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.