RAPID CITY, S.D. (Sept. 18, 2017) – The South Dakota School of Mines & Technology has received a $1 million donation over a six-year period for Hardrocker men’s basketball, women’s basketball and men’s and women’s cross country athletic scholarships.
The funds will provide financial support for current and future scholar-athletes pursing a degree at SD Mines recruiting a student that excels at academics and athletics.
“The ability to provide competitive scholarships is a priority at SD Mines. Our success in the classroom and on the field of play is based largely on the ability to attract outstanding scholar-athletes”, said Joel Lueken, athletic director. “Significant donations like this enhance that ability. We are thrilled to share this news with the Hardrocker family and want to express our sincere gratitude to our donor. Thank you! It’s a great day to be a Hardrocker!”
An additional $105,000 will fund a new, dynamic scoreboard system for Goodell Gymnasium in the King Center. The addition of state of the art video board and scoreboard will enhance the game-day environment for men’s and women’s basketball as well as women’s volleyball, giving Hardrocker fans a great collegiate atmosphere and the student-athletes an incredible NCAA experience.
“With this generous donation, we can give our fans an even more exciting product that we can promote on a larger scale,” Lueken said. “We are proud to display our brand, the RMAC brand and the NCAA brand, and now we will have the tools to better accomplish those goals.”
Students who take part in collegiate sports at SD Mines are not just great athletes, they also excel academically. For the last 17 consecutive semesters scholar-athletes at SD Mines have achieved a combined GPA of at least 3.0.