Jan. 5, 2001

VERMILLION, S.D. - The University of South Dakota Coyotes Athletics Department and Cortrust Bank have together sponsored and displayed perhaps the world's largest championship banner on the upper west side of the DakotaDome.

The championship banner, which boasts USD's North Central Conference championships in all sports, is 12 feet tall and 240 feet long and will be exhibited for the first time during the weekend of Jan. 5-6 when the Coyotes host Northern Colorado and Nebraska-Omaha in men's and women's basketball. The women's games begin at 6 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, followed by the men's games at approximately 8 p.m. The 2,720 square-foot banner is bright red and also includes the logos of the NCC and all its member institutions. In all, the banner includes USD championships in nine different sports.

"This is an incredible thing," said USD Associate Athletic Director Eric Schoh. "When people walk into the Dome, they will see this tremendous banner and see the numerous championships that Coyote teams have won. I believe this will show the great pride this University and corporate friends like Cortrust Bank have with Coyote athletics. We very much appreciate the support of Cortrust Bank and the creative abilities of Maximum Promotions."

The banner was built by Maximum Promotions in Sioux Falls. According to Maximum Promotions, their records indicate that this banner may be the largest athletic championship banner in the world.