University of South Dakota Athletics

On August 19, 2025, the plans to build a new, state-of-the-art indoor track facility - the Gassen Family Fieldhouse - were announced by USD Athletics and AD Jon Schemmel. These plans came to fruition following a $20 million lead gift from Mr. Denny Sanford for the project and, pending board approval, to be named after the Bill and Jill Gassen family, with Bill serving as the President and CEO of Sanford Health in Sioux Falls. 

The new features of the Gassen Family Fieldhouse will include:

• A 200-meter banked track 
• The track will feature a pair of perimeter warm-up lanes, plus a 60-yard straightaway
• A pair of long jump and triple jump pits
• Two pole vaulting stations
• Two high jump stations over straightaways 
• A pair of throwing cages

The venue will also feature elevated seating for 2,000 spectators and a viewing concourse that opens to the events below. The new facility will also include coach offices, a recruiting lounge, a training and nutrition center, and locker rooms. 

The facility will also benefit the USD softball and tennis programs with batting cages and practice tennis courts. 

The renovations of the DakotaDome is set to continue with an overhaul of the east side, the final touches to the west side, and auxiliary items. 

EAST SIDE

100 Level features:

• A 7,000-square foot weight room
• New locker rooms for Coyote student-athletes for soccer, softball, men’s and women’s golf, tennis, and triathlon programs
• A new golf putting, chipping, and simulation space
• A cycling studio for the triathlon program
• A new team locker room, coaches locker room, and athletic training space
• New men’s and women’s officials' locker room
• Team storage area

200 Level features:

• Coaches offices for soccer, softball, men's and women's golf, tennis, and triathlon
• Athletic administrative offices
• Strength and conditioning staff offices
• Conference room
• Team room (for film and team meetings)
• Student-athlete lounge area

300 Level features:

• A new team store
• Three women's restrooms and two men's restrooms
• Increasing concessions points of sale from 7 to 14

500 Level features:

• North end elevator for access to and from the concourse and the 500-level
• New support spaces for radio, television, media space, and coaches’ booths
• Four new premium boxes

WEST SIDE

• The 100-level will see new equipment space, as well as new laundry facilities
• The 500-level will feature new club space that will serve a dual purpose for both team meals and as a premium area on game days
• South end elevator for access to and from the concourse and the 500-level

SOUTH END

• Creation of a new south endzone club area at field level to expand on premium seating options

AUXILIARY

• New sound system enhancements will come to the DakotaDome to enhance the game day experience.
• The plans will also bring new video boards for both the north and south ends of the Dome. 
• Plan to increase Dome seating capacity beyond 10,000. 

New enhancements for the Coyote softball program highlight the third stage of the USD Athletics Master facility plan. Improvements and new additions include: 

• New and expanded seating behind home plate
• New dugouts with adjacent bullpens
• All artificial turf field
• Upgraded restrooms and concessions
• Elevated press box
• Indoor and outdoor hitting and pitching practice facility