Neuharth, Al
Born a poor country boy in South Dakota in 1924, Neuharth became a self-made multimillionaire who built the nation’s largest newspaper company (Gannett) and started the nation’s most widely read newspaper (USA Today). He is an Alpena High and University of South Dakota grad. Neuharth’s start in journalism involved sports, and much of the success […]
Nielsen, Howard
Born March 4, 1921. 1938 Yankton HS grad. 1949 USD grad. Nielsen, of Yankton, chronicled South Dakota sports as a radio broadcaster and/or as a sportswriter for 50 years. He began doing play-by-play for KYNT in Yankton in 1958, continuing for more than 30 yers. He became sports editor of the Yankton Press & Dakotan […]
Nielsen, Terry
A 1964 Sioux Falls Washington High/1968 SDSU graduate, Terry Nielsen has a lifelong passion for sports history and promotion. He’s volunteered thousands of hours over the years to keep three important South Dakota sports organizations thriving (Howard Wood Dakota Relays, SD Tennis Hall of Fame, and SD Sports Hall of Fame). He was a linchpin […]
Oates, Bob
The 1933 Aberdeen Central and 1937 Yankton College grad was a sportswriter for 70 years, almost all of it in Los Angeles. Oates was an original member of the panel of sportswriters that since 1962 has annually chosen the inductees for the Pro Football Hall of Fame.He covered the first 39 Super Bowls. In 2006, […]
Olson, Danny
Born April 8, 1922 in Story City, Iowa. 1941 Mason City (Iowa) HS grad. 1949 Luther College grad. A Sioux Falls radio institution, Olson broadcast the state high school basketball tournaments for 50 years and state amateur baseball tourneys for 40. He did play-by-play for Sioux Falls high school games for 31 years, for Augustana […]
Ovenden, Mark
Mark Ovenden is a Boston native and graduated from Dover Sherborn High School. He attended the University of Richmond (VA), where he was the sports editor of the Collegian. But his gift of gab led to a career in broadcasting. He started his TV career as WTVR’s first-weekend sports anchor during his senior year in […]
Plihal, Virginia
Grew up in Omaha, Neb. Omaha University. Acted as business manager for U.S. track teams in international competitions from 1970 to the mid-’80s. Was assistant manager of the U.S. women’s Olympic track team in 1980 and managed the team from 1981-83. She also served as manager for the men’s and women’s track teams at the […]
Quinn, Jim
From his first high school coaching job in 1940 to his death in 1993, Quinn was one of the best-known figures in South Dakota sports. The Sturgis High grad was a coach, a founder of several sports programs and an administrator of others, an executive and a chronicler of sports history. At his death, a […]
Quintal, A.A.
Born in Jefferson on Dec. 18, 1899. Elk Point High School. 1923 USD grad. Was coach and/or athletic director at Mitchell High for 40 years. In 1926 he was named coach and AD at Mitchell. He coached all sports until relinquishing basketball duties in 1949. Took the Kernels to 16 state basketball tourneys, winning state […]
Rawlins, Robert
Was the first administrator of the state’s high school activities association’s Board of Control. As superintendent of schools at Pierre, Rawlins was secretary-treasurer of the Board in 1915. When the board took over running of the state basketball tourney in 1917, Rawlins was placed in charge. He instituted and enforced strict eligibility rules. Enforcement of […]