Nov. 16, 2012

VERMILLION, S.D.—ROTC members from both University of South Dakota and South Dakota State University are reinstating the old tradition of running the ceremonial game ball from the visiting team's campus to the home team's campus in time for the opening kickoff of the football game between the two programs.

Cadet Brian Zimmerman, a South Dakota senior majoring in criminal justice, took the opening handoff and began the more than 100-mile trek from Vermillion to Brookings following a noon ceremony at the DakotaDome on USD's campus. ROTC members from both campuses will take part in the run, which culminates with the 2 p.m. kickoff between South Dakota and South Dakota State at Couglin Alumni Stadium.

South Dakota head football coach Joe Glenn, a former ROTC member himself, spoke to ROTC representatives from both institutions before taking part in the initial handoff of the football. Ceremonial footballs signed by both Glenn and South Dakota State football coach John Stiegelmeier will be put up for auction with part of the proceeds benefitting the Wounded Warrior Program.