Fan Responses

Vermillion, S.D. - The University of South Dakota is home to one of the state's most recognizable man-made landmarks: the DakotaDome. This year, the Dome celebrates its 30th year of existence as the home of Coyote athletics, both varsity and intramural.

Although the Dome welcomed its first teams and spectators in 1979, planning began several years earlier, in 1972. At the time, athletics were housed in a number of locations around campus, namely the New Armory, which has been renovated into what is now the Al Neuharth Media Center, and Inman Stadium, an outdoor football stadium located where the Beacom School of Business and the Law School currently reside. In 1972, Carl Miller was hired as the chair of the Health, Physical Education and Recreation Department as well as the Director of Athletics. Upon his arrival in Vermillion, Miller brought with him plans to create an enclosed athletic facility that would incorporate all of USD's athletic teams. "At this time, there were no domes. The plan was ahead of its time," Miller said. "People said 'This guy's crazy!' but the president of the university, Dick Bowen, thought I was just crazy enough to get it done." True to form, Miller wrote the first plans for the structure on a napkin. Given an $8 million budget, the initial plans were amended to meet budgetary constraints. After several years of planning, the groundbreaking for the DakotaDome took place in 1976.

After construction was completed, the DakotaDome began its legacy with an "inflation party." That is, crowds of people gathered to watch as the soft roof of the Dome was filled with pressurized air. Former USD men's basketball coach and athletic director Jack Doyle said, "It was exciting for everyone there." USD's Dome became one of the first multipurpose domes in the United States, a precursor to facilities like the Humphrey Metrodome in Minneapolis. Aside from USD varsity and intramural athletics, the Dome has held numerous events and activities, both expected and unexpected. Doyle said that civic, university, state and area organizations have all used the Dome for various events. The Dome has played host to everything from giant hot-air balloons used in the Macy's parades to even the Shrine Circus. "There were elephants in the middle of the Dome floor!" Doyle said.

Since the Dome opened its doors in 1979, many updates and renovations have been made. The most notable of these renovations is the reconstruction of the Dome roof. Initially, the roof of the Dome was air inflated. According to Miller, the inflated roof was added to the amended building plans due to budgetary limitations. The outside of the roof was coated with Teflon to prevent snow from collecting on top, which could cause the roof to deflate. However, even with the slick surface, the roof deflated twice, once in 1979 and again in 1982. This concern remained a major issue until 2001, when the inflatable roof was replaced with a stronger and more stable steel version. Though the steel roof cost $13.7 million to build, energy costs dropped significantly after the construction, even with the newly installed air conditioning system that was added as part of the renovations.

Other renovations, some aesthetic and some functional, have been made recently, including updates to the all men's and women's locker rooms, expansion of the athletic training facilities, and resurfacing of the indoor track, among others. USD's current Athletic Director Joel Nielsen said that over $18 million worth of restorations have been made on the Dome since 1979, with plans for future remodeling in the works. "There are plans for $10-11 million in renovations over the next 10 years," Nielsen said. These future projects include replacing the turf and stadium seats, resurfacing of the parking lot, and an upgrade to the audio system.

In addition to USD athletics, the DakotaDome also hosts high school events for South Dakota and surrounding states. These events range from athletic events like the South Dakota State Football Championships to other activities like marching band competitions. Bringing high school students into the Dome is a useful way to attract students to USD because they are exposed to the Dome as well as the rest of the university's campus. USD women's track and field head coach Lucky Huber says that hosting high school track meets at the Dome has been a huge help in recruiting athletes. "The Dan Lennon Relays bring in kids from four states that otherwise would never have been to Vermillion," Huber said. USD men's track and field head coach Dave Gottsleben estimates that over 60,000 high school athletes have competed in the Dome in its 30 years.

A unique feature of the Dome is its interchangeability. Former USD women's basketball standout Mandy Koupal, who played from 2001-2004, said that she likes the Dome because it has different faces for each season. During basketball season, the court setup on the Dome floor provides an environment that is exclusive to USD. The open atmosphere is a home court advantage to the Coyotes, according to Koupal. "The setup (of our court) is not a typical basketball setting, but the crowd makes it feel a basketball environment," Koupal said. She added that while USD fans are always supportive, the crowds were especially involved at games versus opponents like South Dakota State. She recalls the Coyotes' final game with the Jackrabbits, held at the Dome in 2004 before a USD-record 7,882 fans. "Looking up at the stands and the bleachers and seeing all the red was unreal," Koupal said. "I still get chills thinking about it."

As the University of South Dakota looks toward the future, changes are in store throughout campus. Construction has begun on a new wellness center that will provide more exercise facilities for students and a new home to campus intramurals, but the DakotaDome will remain the home of USD varsity athletics. "We took pride in playing in the Dome because of its unique setting," said Koupal. Upcoming renovations and updates will assist the Coyotes as they strive to establish themselves as a force at the NCAA Division I level. Future South Dakota student-athletes will continue to be proud to train and compete in the Dome for years to come.