SIOUX FALLS, S.D. - Fans, boosters, student-athletes, coaches and administrators celebrated the release of the newly branded logo and merchandise Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Scheels All Sports, located at 2101 W 41st Street in Sioux Falls.
As a result of the university's rebranding and its transition to NCAA Division I, new merchandise such as clothing and apparel, water bottles, key chains and other items were available for purchase. In addition, fans had the opportunity to interact with student-athletes and coaches from football and men's and women's basketball.
Members of the 2011-2012 South Dakota cheerleading team also were on hand for free face painting of the new logo sponsored by the Yippin' Yotes Club. Charlie Coyote also was in attendance for pictures and fan interaction.
Customers had the opportunity to peruse the new merchandise racks and the event saw a steady flow of people for the entire three hours.
Head men's basketball coach Dave Boots and student-athletes Jared Bartling, Jordan Boots and Charlie Westbrook, and head women's basketball coach Ryun Williams, assistant women's coach Mandy Koupal and student-athletes Jodie Boss, Amber Hegge, Annie Roche and Tempestt Wilson began the event as they signed autographs and mingled with the crowd.
The Coyote football team, which opens its 2011 season at Air Force on Sept. 3, followed as head coach Ed Meierkort and student-athletes Tom Compton, Chris Ganious, Tim Marlette, Dustin Nowotny, Will Powell, Dante Warren and Shea Williams from noon to 2 p.m., signing autographs and greeted fans.
Sioux Falls' radio station B102.7, South Dakota's flagship station, broadcasted live from the store from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The "Voice of the Coyotes", Warren Swain, and B102.7 on-air personality "Crash" interviewed student-athletes and coaches throughout.
The new-look interlocking "SD" logo replaces the "U." logo which began in 2002.
"We feel like we need a logo that has a national appeal," USD marketing vice president Jeff Baylor said. "We want to represent a flagship institution on a national and global stage."
With the transition to Division I almost complete, the administration felt prior to the beginning of the season was a perfect time to launch the new logo.
The Coyotes will have new football helmets this season with the interlocking SD instead of the coyote paw with the "U." imbedded in it. South Dakota also has a new basketball court redesigned with all of the new logos and the new Summit League logo, which the Coyotes are entering their first year in the conference.
