Supporting The Coyotes...

A Letter from the Athletic Director

After thoughtful planning and consultation with donors, University administration, athletic coaches and staff, outside consultants, and the USD Foundation, it became clear that a comprehensive and collective approach to fundraising was needed to insure the continued success of Coyote Athletics and provide a foundation of support for the transition to Division I. Our shift to another fundraising approach was inevitable in order to maximize revenue, while minimizing the duplication of effort and confusion among our donor and fan base. As a result, a merger of the Coyote Athletic Fund, the Howling Pack, and sport-specific boosters clubs is needed to successfully transition the University to Division I.

Through a combination of these two entities and all sport-specific booster clubs, the USD Howling Pack will become the face of annual fundraising for all Coyote Athletics. The Coyote Athletic Fund will serve as the overarching umbrella by which the Howling Pack and all other athletic fundraising efforts (endowments, capital campaign, special projects and events) are coordinated. The Howling Pack will be promoted and marketed by the athletic department, University and Foundation as the annual fundraising mechanism for athletics. Donors to the USD Howling Pack will be credited by the USD Foundation for their gift and receive the applicable benefits consistent with a comprehensive recognition structure that will be developed prior to launching the first campaign.

The goal of the USD Howling Pack will be to provide student-athletes the best possible atmosphere in which to succeed academically and athletically with scholarship and programmatic support. It is critical that a unified effort and message be developed in order to raise the increasing amount of private money necessary to maintain the high standards, in and out of the classroom, through the transition to Division I and beyond.

With the ever-increasing costs of higher education, it is vitally important that we increase our fundraising efforts while motivating more supporters to join our team. That is why I ask you to join the USD Howling Pack and make an investment in our student-athletes. It is only through your financial support that we can provide our student-athletes with the best possible environment in which to succeed.

I know that our donors are some of USD’s strongest supporters, and we’re grateful to have you as part of our team – South Dakota’s Team! Your support will make great things happen.

Sincerely,

Joel Nielsen
Athletic Director
The University of South Dakota
jnielsen@usd.edu