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Coyote Sports Hall of Fame

Lyle and June Wagner

  • Class
  • Induction
    2007
  • Sport(s)
    Special Contributor
Lyle Wagner and June Woodward were inducted as special contributors. Longtime boosters, the Wagners have created six different endowed scholarships at USD, including four in athletics and two in academics. They are both passionate about the Coyotes and regularly attend USD athletic events. The Wagners grew up in rural South Dakota with Lyle from Elk Point and Vermillion and June of Brentford, S.D. They both entered the U in the 1950s and graduated in the same decade. Lyle earned a business administration degree in 1954 and June received an education degree in 1957. Lyle fulfilled his Army ROTC obligation with military service in Germany from 1954 to 1956, then returned to South Dakota to actively support his family’s farming operation. He and June were married following her graduation and have since resided in Vermillion. They have one son and two grandsons. Lyle retired from active farming in 1975 and since then has been involved in farm management for nearly 30 years. The Wagners’ commitments to USD have been consistent and substantial over many years. A long-time trustee of the USD Foundation, Lyle became vice president of the organization in 1983 was Foundation president from 1984-1987. The Wagner’s exemplary giving record to the University shows a special interest in scholarship programs, including four scholarship endowments they have created. However, it was the Wagner's generous naming gift in 2000 that made possible the transformation of the Alumni and Foundation Center on Dakota Street in Vermillion. This commitment by the Wagners enabled the Foundation to double the size of its offices and increased its visibility. In recognition of their cumulative giving, the Wagners are members of the Foundation’s Ernest O. and John H. Lawrence Society.

The Wagners have received an Alumni Achievement Award and the Inman Award. Lyle has also been earned the School of Business' Distinguished Service Award and received a Phi Delta fraternity national award.

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