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 […]

Livingston, Ed

Sioux Falls (Washington High). USD. One of the state’s most famous basketball and football referees, Livingston refereed 15 consecutive state Class A basketball tournaments. In 1959, he became the first supervisor of officials for the North Central Conference. He was one of the state’s pioneer golf enthusiasts and in 1929 became a golf pro. He […]

Wood, Howard

Born March 3, 1884, in Marvelville, Ontario, Canada. Potsdam Normal College (N.Y.). It is unlikely that any individual had more influence on the young people of Sioux Falls than Wood, who built the state’s greatest sports dynasty at Washington High. Wood became coach at Washington in 1908, and except for two years as head football […]

Hoy, Carl B.

Born Oct. 17, 1893, near Huron. 1915 Huron H.S. grad. 1919 USD grad. Came to USD in fall of 1927 as head basketball and assistant football and track coach. Was head track coach from 1931-46. Was athletic director from 1935-56. Was basketball coach for 24 years (1927-49, ’52-54), going 167-189. His 1947-48 basketball team defeated […]

Mendel, Joe

Onida. 1931 Yankton College grad. On May 21,1926, Mendel accomplished what no other South Dakota athlete has done: He singlehandedly won the state track meet. He entered four events and won them all as Onida edged Sioux Falls Washington 20-19 for the one-class state title. It would be 70 years before another boy won four […]

Manders, Jack

Born near Milbank in 1909. Milbank HS. University of Minnesota. A halfback for the Chicago Bears for eight years, starting in 1933. Three times he was named to an all-pro team. In 1937 NFL title game, a 28-21 loss to the Washington Redskins, he scored touchdowns by rushing and receiving and also recovered a fumble […]