VERMILLION, S.D. (OCTOBER 2, 2001) - Eric Hickenbottom, a senior guard on The University of South Dakota men's basketball team, has been awarded the Richard D. Hagerty Scholarship, an endowed fund established within The University of South Dakota Foundation. The Hagerty Scholarship benefits undergraduate or graduate students participating in the basketball program at South Dakota.

Friends and family members of the Richard "Dick" Hagerty family created the Hagerty endowed fund. Hagerty, a Doland, S.D., native, was a letter winner for the Coyotes from 1955-57. He was also an assistant coach for head coach Dwayne Clodfelter in 1958 when South Dakota won the NCAA College Division National Championship. The Coyotes defeated St. Michaels, 75-53 in the finals of the National Collegiate Small College Championships in Evansville, Ill., to win the national title. USD won its last 20 games that season and became the first (and still just one of two) teams to go through a 12-game NCC schedule undefeated. They finished 22-5. Hagerty's loyalty and consistent support of the USD athletic program continued throughout his life.

Hickenbottom, originally of Agency, Iowa, averaged 8.3 points and 2.8 rebounds during the 2000-01 season. A physical therapy major at USD, Hickenbottom is the son of Deb Swope and Gary Hickenbottom. He attended Cardinal Community High School.