Haensel, Wayne “Hawkeye”
A 1954 graduate of Walnut Grove High School (MN) and a 1959 graduate of SDSU, Haensel was an All-American, all-conference, three-year starter, and senior co-captain for the Jackrabbits, helping SDSU secure three North Central Conference Championships with a 23-11-2 record during his tenure. Drafted in the 25th round of the 1958 NFL Draft by the […]
Anderson, Sparky
Born Feb. 22, 1934 in Bridgewater. Anderson, one of the greatest managers in baseball history, is the only South Dakotan inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame, entering Cooperstown in 2000. Anderson lived in Bridgewater until moving to California at age 9. In his 1990 autobiography “Sparky!”, Anderson said: “I remember more about South Dakota […]
Baker, Don
Don Baker graduated from Scotland High School in 1950 and the University of South Dakota at Springfield in 1954. He earned 12 letters in college at USD-S in football, basketball, and track & field. He was all-conference in football and basketball and was one of the SDIC’s top distance runners. He was also a multi-sport […]
Barnes, Don
A 1962 graduate of Notre Dame High School in Mitchell and a 1970 graduate of USD, Barnes is arguably South Dakota’s greatest tennis coach and one of its longest-tenured high school coaches, regardless of sport. His tenure with the Sioux Falls O’Gorman boys’ and girls’ tennis teams is marked by extraordinary achievements, including over 1,000 […]
Tiefenthaler, Jeff
Jeff Tiefenthaler, a 1981 graduate of Armour High School and 1986 graduate of South Dakota State University (SDSU), played a pivotal role in helping Armour win seven state titles—three in track & field and two each in baseball and basketball. At SDSU, he excelled in both football and track & field. Initially attending on a […]
Tiefenthaler, Denis
Dennis Tiefenthaler was born on May 17, 1962, and now resides in Dewey (AZ). In the words of hall of fame member Greg Hanson, “Athletic versatility did not originate with Dennis Tiefenthaler, he has simply refined it to an art seldom seen before in the state of South Dakota. In a time when two out […]
Torve, Kelvin
Kelvin Torve attended Rapid City Stevens and graduated in 1978. He lettered in basketball and football during his last two high school years. As a senior, he was first-team All-State in basketball and was also named the Rapid City High School Athlete of the Year for his outstanding football, basketball, and Post 22 baseball careers. […]
Vidal, Gene
Born April 13, 1895, in Madison. 1912 Madison HS grad. 1916 USD grad. 1918 West Point grad. He participated in the 1920 and ’24 Olympic Games. At Antwerp in 1920, he finished seventh in the decathlon. He had sprained his right wrist in a car accident just before the Olympics, and any event that required […]
Weber, Dale
Dale Weber was a 1957 Delmont High School and 1961 Yankton College graduate. He was a multiple sport athlete in high school and college. Weber retired from high school basketball officiating in 1995 after a 30-year career and working more than 2,000 games, including a combined 34 boys’ and girls’ state tournaments and 21 state […]
Whipple, Sr, Vince
Considered one of the state’s finest shooters in history, Vince Whipple’s numbers may have been unreachable had he played in the era of the three-point line. He was one of the best assist men and ball-handlers of his time as well. Whipple graduated from Rapid City High School in 1956 and after his military service […]