VERMILLION, S.D.—The Coyote Brotherhood, a group of former University of South Dakota football players and coaches, has raised more than $309,000 to support the program’s new locker room.
“The Coyote Brotherhood set a lofty goal to raise money and support, and I can tell you there is an eternally grateful group of players, coaches and staff who are benefitting from their passion and support,” said USD Athletic Director David Herbster. “It sends such a powerful message to our players that the alumni give back to the program in such a way that really emphasizes stewardship, loyalty and brotherhood.
“What really makes this special is that the leadership council was so active in reaching out and engaging all Coyote football alumni that none of this would be possible without their energy and leadership to support Coyote football. This was a true team effort and our facilities and program are better because of it.”
Among the many leaders of the Coyote Brotherhood is John Russell ’77, a linebacker from Levittown, Pennsylvania, who competed for the Coyotes in the mid-1970s under Joe Salem and Beanie Cooper. The idea for forming the brotherhood came to fruition in the fall of 2005. Hurricane Katrina devastated the Gulf Coast that August, just before a small group of football alums were set to reunite in Vermillion for the annual Dakota Days game.
As they watched the news on Katrina, they felt a need to help. In conjunction with USD and the Community Food Banks of South Dakota, those past players helped sponsor a hurricane relief food drive at the DakotaDome on Dakota Days weekend.
That simple act of generosity has spurned countless good deeds from this ever-growing group. The Football Locker Fundraiser has produced its largest donation yet, and the message to rally support was a simple, but an important one.
“Games are won or lost on the field,” the website reads. “But the locker room is where players mentally prepare, regroup at halftime, and celebrate or unwind after a tough game. It’s in the locker room where friendships form, bonds are built and the brotherhood begins. For this reason, the Coyote Brotherhood is proud to support the football lockers in the newly renovated DakotaDome.”
