VERMILLION, S.D.—South Dakota track and field athlete Jeff O'Connell has been awarded an NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship for his dedication in the classroom and on the track. O'Connell will receive a one-time $7,500 scholarship to be used for postgraduate study.
 
The NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship program was created in 1964 to promote and encourage postgraduate education by rewarding the Association's most accomplished student-athletes. The NCAA awards 174 scholarships across all sports and divisions each year. Awardees must carry a minimum 3.2 grade-point average, be nominated by the faculty athletics representative and intend to pursue graduate studies.
 
"I have had an amazing coaching staff during my time at South Dakota that understands the importance of an athlete's academics, while still getting the most out of their athletes on the track," O'Connell said. "They have helped me develop into the person I am today. I would like to thank the athletic department, my instructors, advisors and other support staff for their continued commitment to developing well-rounded student-athletes. Special thanks goes to Dave Gottsleben, Dr. Karen Card, Dr. Tina Keller and David Herbster for their help with the application process and supporting me throughout my career."
 
O'Connell joins 31 other Coyotes who have received this scholarship, 20 of which were also members of the Coyote track and field program. South Dakota ranks among the top-50 schools across all NCAA divisions in the number of postgraduate recipients.
 
"We are remarkably proud of Jeff for everything he has given to the University of South Dakota," said Director of Track and Field/Cross Country Lucky Huber. "It is a great honor for him to be recognized by the NCAA for his outstanding achievements academically and athletically as a Coyote.
 
"We are proud of the tradition of USD track and field athletes receiving postgraduate scholarships. I would like to thank our faculty and our faculty athletic representative, Tina Keller, for helping our student-athletes receive this award."
 
During his Coyote career, O'Connell captured eight Summit League titles with four individually in the long jump and four in the 4x100 and 4x400 relays. O'Connell is a 12-time all-Summit honoree and has earned four academic all-Summit awards. He qualified for the NCAA West Preliminaries in 2014 and 2016 in the long jump, in addition to running a leg of the qualifying 4x100 relay in 2016. O'Connell helped the 4x100 relay set the school record in 40.15 seconds this spring. He ranks third outdoors and fourth indoors in the long jump on the program's all-time charts.
 
O'Connell graduated in 2015 with a bachelor's degree in physical education while a cumulative GPA of 3.79. He enrolled in the Masters of Education Administration program last fall while completing his eligibility in outdoor track and field. O'Connell has accepted a teaching position at Brandon Valley Intermediate School for 2016-17, while continuing to work towards his master's degree.