VERMILLION, S.D.—South Dakota softball took another step forward this year in its efforts to give back to the community around them. Coyote coaches and players agreed to donate money earned while cleaning the DakotaDome after events to support the Children's Home Society of South Dakota, a non-profit organization whose mission is to protect, support and enhance the lives of children and families. Head coach Amy Klyse and her team have hosted a softball camp in Sioux Falls for the society twice in the last 15 months and a bond has developed between the two groups.
 
"We wanted to build on the relationships we've formed during those camps and one way we thought we could do so was to offer gifts to the kids during the holidays," said USD senior infielder Sydney Hancock. "We used our trash pick-up money to buy coats, stuffed animals, toys and games, and at our Christmas party, we all took turns making blankets for them."


 
The camp, which teaches the kids how to hit and throw and always includes a game of wiffle ball, is just one of the ways the team supports those around them. The Coyotes annually host a softball and basketball outing with SESDAC, participate in Nikki's Fund one mile run/walk to promote suicide prevention awareness, and play games at a nursing home in Vermillion. The team partnered with USD ROTC to send Christmas letters to troops stationed overseas. In March, the team will help staff The Welcome Table at First United Methodist Church.
 
"We've always focused on community engagement projects and giving back since I arrived on campus," said Hancock. "There are so many people in Vermillion who support us even though they've never met us, and it's important that we get involved in as many ways as we can."
 
"It leaves a lasting impact," said USD sophomore outfielder Christy Warnock. "Just today, one of the girls I met through SESDAC came up to me and was talking about her basketball team and how things were going. They know our names and we know theirs and establishing those relationships has led to great experiences for all of us."
 
One of the more recent relationships the team has established is with Helping Kids Round First, an organization founded by 1974 USD alum Craig Severtson that strives to give underprivileged youth opportunities through baseball. Specifically, the organization collects used baseball and softball equipment and uniforms and ships them to youth in Nicaragua. The group has done so for a decade.
 
Current and former Coyote players alike set a goal of 350 items they could donate to the organization. They surpassed that goal by nearly 100 items.
 
"A lot of these groups hit home for our team," said Hancock. "We have a lot of players going into the teaching profession who love to work with kids. Nikki's walk has a more serious tone because she went to this school and because suicide is a hard subject to talk about. Yvon (Minogue) is a social work major and meeting people at Children's Home Society opened internship opportunities back in California."
 
The Coyotes begin the 2016 season Friday in Las Vegas. You can follow the team online at www.GoYotes.com or on twitter @SDCoyotesSB.