Schlekeway, Jill (Theeler)
The 1997 Mitchell High grad blazed to three state records in an incredible final two years of high school track. In 1997, she set state records in the 100 meters (11.66), 200 (24.27) and 400 (55.25). She won the 100, 200 and 400 and ran on the winning 1,600 relay at the state Class AA […]
McKee, Vern
Vern McKee was born on April 28, 1930. He grew up in Huron and was a 1948 Browns Valley (Minn.) High School and a 1956 Huron College graduate. McKee is among the few South Dakotans to sign pro contracts in two sports. McKee played three years as a centerfielder in the St. Louis Browns and […]
Mydland, David
One of the iron men of South Dakota baseball, David “Mydie” Mydland was an outstanding baseball player at SDSU and in the amateur ranks. He was an all-conference speedy shortstop for the Jackrabbits. He helped SDSU win a share of the North Central Conference title in 1973. The Minnesota Twins drafted and signed him in […]
Phillips, O.B.
O.B. Phillips is credited for starting a track & field dynasty at Tyndall High School in the 1920’s. He was the track & field coach at Tyndall from 1919-31 as well as serving as superintendent. He had previously been superintendent at Alexandria. Despite having only a little over 100 students in high school, Tyndall did […]
Lenz, Ron
Ron Lenz was a 1962 Sisseton High School graduate and a 1970 South Dakota State University graduate. Lenz served as sports editor of the Watertown Public Opinion from 1968-72. He was voted SD Sportswriter of the Year in 1971. He took over the position as sports information director at the University of South Dakota in […]
Mackner, Guy
1965 Sisseton/1969 SDSU graduate. The 6-foot-7 center teamed with John Thomas and Gene Zulk to make South Dakota State a men’s basketball powerhouse in the late 1960s. He averaged 19.9 points and 11.6 rebounds a game as a junior. Mackner earned all-conference honors as a junior and senior and led the North Central Conference in […]
Matthews, Bill
Bill Matthews played seven seasons of pro football, mostly in the NFL, with a couple of seasons in the USFL including three seasons with the New England Patriots. He was a fifth-round pick of the Patriots in the 1978 NFL draft but missed the entire 1978 NFL season with a neck injury. He played in […]
McCormick, Frank
Born Nov. 5, 1894, in Genoa, Neb. Family moved to Wagner in 1905. Wagner High School. University of South Dakota. The 5-11, 190-pounder was the first South Dakotan to play pro football, signing with the Akron Indians of the early NFL in 1920, and playing on a team that beat out Jim Thorpe’s Canton Bulldogs […]
Jordan, Bill
Born Sept. 20, 1931 in Iroquois. 1949 Onida High School grad. 1954 Northern State. Jordan was one of the greatest athletes in Northern State history. He earned four letters each in football, basketball and track, becoming one of the few NSU athletes to win 12 letters. He was a conference track champ in the 220 […]
Klein, Mel
One of Northern State’s greatest basketball players, Klein was an outstanding coach as well. The 1957 Aberdeen Central and 1961 Northern State grad played on four South Dakota Intercollegiate Conference championship teams, three of which advanced to the NAIA national tourney. The 6-foot-5, 190-pound Klein was a two-time all-SDIC player under Coach Bob Wachs, and […]