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 […]

Flanner, Joseph

Born in New Bern, N.C. In 1903 he authored the Basic Agreement, the regulations that govern major and minor league baseball. Also was instrumental in the early success of The Sporting News. Joined TSN in 1895 as a writer, was named co-editor in 1897 and editor in 1899. He took a job in baseball’s executive […]

Grivna (Smith), Tim

TIM “SMITH” GRIVNA. Tim “Smith” Grivna, a 1968 Minneapolis Edison High School graduate and alumnus of the University of Minnesota and Brown Institute of Broadcasting, is one of South Dakota’s most iconic radio voices. His five-decade career began in 1973 at KORN Radio in Mitchell, and in 1979, he moved to KMIT, where he also […]

Guenthner, Ken

Bridgewater. One of the most versatile sports personalities the state has ever seen. Guenthner owned the Sioux Falls Canaries baseball team from 1947-53. He also owned and operated the Black Hills Greyhound Track from 1964-82. He was twice elected national president of the Greyhound Racing Association. He worked as a sportswriter for the Argus Leader, […]

Hammrich, Harvey

Harvey Hammrich was a South Dakota athletic director for 38 of his 43 years in education, 26 at Watertown, 1977-2003; 12 at Webster,1965-77; and five at Eureka, 1960-65. He graduated from Ipswich High School in 1954 and South Dakota State College in 1959. Hammrich was a tremendous high school and college athlete in multiple sports. […]

Johnston, Harve

Born Aug. 31, 1920 in rural Bradley. 1938 Bradley HS grad. 1940 Mitchell Business School grad. In an officiating career that spanned more than 50 years, Johnston umpired baseball and softball, started track and cross country meets and refereed football and basketball. He officiated football games until he was 76 and started track and cross […]

Lloyd, Vince (Skaff)

Born June 1, 1917, in Beresford. 1935 Beresford HS grad. 1940 Yankton College grad. One of the Midwest’s most well-known sports announcers, primarily at WGN in Chicago. He began his broadcasting career in Sioux City with KTRI before going to WJBC in Bloomington, Ill., and WMBD in Peoria, Ill. After serving in the Marine Corps […]

Clement, Amanda

Born March 20,1888, in Hudson. 1909 University of Nebraska grad. Clement is recognized as the first woman to umpire baseball games. An exhibit at the baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, N.Y., honors her accomplishments. In 1904, at age 16 she umpired a game for the first time. At that time, the baseball game was […]

Connors, Howard

Born July 12, 1917 in Jefferson. 1934 Jefferson grad. Went to USD-Springfield and the University of South Dakota, participating in basketball, football and baseball two years each. Connors, a USD math professor for almost 40 years, officiated high school and college football (40 seasons), basketball (36) and track (50). Was the first official elected to […]