It's the best time of the year, Dakota Days 2014 at the University of South Dakota. But, this year was even more special because it was the 100th celebration! The celebration started off one week ago with Bingo in the Muenster University Center. Prizes included things from the Barnes & Noble book store like t-shirts, cups and various other things. Monday night a comedian was brought to campus provided by the Campus Activities Board. I did not attend, but did hear that it was extremely hilarious! This was also the same night the Dakotans and Strollers got tapped, always an interesting night, that's for sure.
Tuesday night was Yotes Got Talent in Aalfs Auditorium followed by Royalty Reveal. There were some pretty remarkable acts ranging from singers, to tap dancers, whistlers to even a bagpipe player. The 1st place winner was the tap dancer, who tapped to a song by Justin Timberlake. Now, the best part from Yotes Got Talent was when one of my best friends performed, but then Head Football Coach Joe Glenn got called up on stage and asked to sing "Fight South Dakota." Now, I assume most people like me thought he was just going to sing into the microphone, but he surprised the crowd with his talent of playing the piano along with it! Following the competition, Dakota Days Royalty was introduced, followed by announcing the top 7 finalists. It is so great to see such awesome school spirit and my friends who were nominated.
Wednesday night was the Verm Town Bash and Battle of the Bands competition. In that, the Dakota Days Royalty got the opportunity to sit in the nice cold dunk tanks all night. Thursday night was the Al Neuharth Award and Friday was the pep rally!
The really, truly big day of the week is on Saturday! There is the parade, which was over two hours long. Now who thought a parade in Vermillion, South Dakota would be that long? Not me. Tailgating was next, which has increased by impeccable numbers the past years since I started attending USD. The atmosphere was unreal, it felt like I was back home in Madison, Wisconsin going to celebrate the Wisconsin Badgers football game. Next, was the biggest part of the week, the football game! With it being a historical game for the Coyotes, the coaches did something incredible for their team. Over the summer, they decided they were going to raise money on their own so they could get the team special uniforms for this game. This included chrome helmets and red jerseys with chrome lettering and the Yotes looked awesome! The game however, was a great time, but unfortunately, the Coyotes lost to Northern Iowa 28-16.
It truly was a special week at the University of South Dakota, where incredible memories were made all week long. Seeing the school spirit and all the red all week around campus is something that makes you proud to be a student at the University of South Dakota.
