Mines Invites Community to Rocker Days Festivities
From painting downtown windows to whitewashing the iconic M, South Dakota Mines is gearing up for Rocker Days — the university’s annual homecoming week filled with tradition and celebration.
This year’s schedule is packed with events, including the inauguration of Mines President Brian Tande, Ph.D., on Wednesday, and Saturday’s homecoming matchups: Hardrocker football versus the Fort Lewis Skyhawks at 2 p.m. and volleyball against the Colorado Christian Cougars at 6 p.m.
Saturday will also feature the Rocker Days Parade at 10 a.m. in downtown Rapid City, with more than 30 local businesses and student groups taking part.
Festivities began Sunday with the senior-frosh picnic and Mines students painting windows at businesses and community organizations across downtown.
Mines invites the community to join in showing its Hardrocker spirit throughout the week.
A full schedule is listed below. Media is invited to attend each event.
Schedule of Events – Rocker Days 2025
Sept. 23 – First Lady’s Ice Cream Social hosted by Desiree Tande, Ph.D., Armadillo’s
Sept. 24 – Presidential Inauguration, 3 p.m., King Center
Sept. 24 – Inauguration Concert, 5 – 8 p.m., O’Harra Stadium Parking Lot
Sept. 25 – Coronation, Bonfire and Pep Rally, 7:30 p.m., Beck Ballroom and O’Harra Stadium Parking Lot
Sept. 25 – Car Bash, 8 p.m., O’Harra Stadium Parking Lot
Sept. 26 - M Day Picnic and Whitewashing of the M, noon, Hanson-Larsen Memorial Park
Sept. 26 – Volleyball Game vs. Colorado State University Pueblo, 6 p.m., King Center
Sept. 27: Rockers Day Parade, 10 a.m. downtown, Main and St. Joseph streets, 4th to 7th
Sept. 27 Football game vs. Fort Lewis, 2 p.m., O’Harra Stadium
Sept. 27: Frosh Run and Formation of the M, O’Harra Stadium, halftime of the homecoming game
Sept. 27: Volleyball vs. Colorado Christian University, 6p.m., King Center