Merrigan to receive 2001 Dan Lennon Award
Often hailed as the voice of track and field in South Dakota, Greg Merrigan of Vermillion, S.D., was named the 11th recipient of the Dan Lennon Award in March 2001. A 1974 Vermillion High School graduate, Merrigan started his announcing career at Inman Stadium (now location of the Allen Neuharth Center/School of Law) doing PA for junior varsity football games at USD. He was also a spotter for the legendary PA announcer Monk Johnson at Coyote games. In 1978-79, Merrigan served as color commentator for Vermillion High School football and basketball games on the Vermillion radio station. He began doing PA for Coyote track and field in 1979 when the DakotaDome was opened. Eventually he took over Coyote announcing duties from Monk Johnson (retired) in basketball and football. He is the voice of the Dan Lennon Relays, the Howard Wood Dakota Relays, the Sioux City Relays and the South Dakota State Track and Field Meets. He also handles PA for the South Dakota High School Football Championships at the DakotaDome. The manager of the Clay Rural Water System, Greg has two children and is married to Janet.