Kapitan, Colin
One of South Dakota’s most recognizable referees, “Kappy” has been involved in officiating for more than 50 years. The lifelong Yankton resident got his first refereeing job as a 17-year-old USD freshman on Nov. 22, 1958 (Elk Point vs. Wakonda basketball). He worked his first state “B’’ tournament in 1965 at age 24. He officiated […]
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 […]
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 […]
Casey, Tom
1966 Wasson (Colorado Springs) High School/1970 University of Colorado. Was a high school gymnast (excellent tumbler and on the trampoline) who earned a scholarship to the University of Colorado where he competed in gymnastics. Came to Pine Ridge Reservation in June 1970 while working as a Vista volunteer and on his master’s degree in sociology. […]
Christensen, Pal
A lifelong Yankton resident, Christensen refereed high school and college football and basketball games in a career that spanned more than 50 years. He reffed high school boys and girls basketball for 37 years and prep football for 50 years. He reffed his first football game Oct. 23, 1947, six days after his wedding, filling […]
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 […]
Crevier, Tanya
1973 Jefferson grad. 1977 SDSU grad. Billed as the ‘world’s finest female basketball handler,’ the 5-foot-3 Crevier travels extensively, performing her ballhandling routines at school assemblies, camps, churches and at halftimes of many college and pro games. She’s also appeared on numerous television programs. Was a member of the San Francisco Pioneers one year and […]
Diehl, Wally
Born March 10, 1914, in Mitchell. 1932 Mitchell grad. 1936 SDSU grad. Was a teacher, coach and athletic director in Sioux Falls’ public school system for 35 years. He coached one year in Hawarden, Iowa, before joining the Sioux Falls school system in 1937. For 28 years, he ran the Howard Wood-Dakota Relays. At Washington […]
Dozer, Dick
Born March 12, 1925, in Minneapolis. Sioux Falls (Washington High). 1950 Missouri grad. A nationally respected sportswriter for 30 years, mostly with the Chicago Tribune. In the early 1950s, he worked for KIHO Radio in Sioux Falls and made history in July 1950 by broadcasting the first remote play-by-play of the state amateur golf tournament. […]