What is the Yellow & Blue Leadership Society?
The Y&BLS is the first of its kind comprehensive giving society within SDSU Athletics. It gives supporters the opportunity to enhance their giving legacy by making a high level and long-term commitment to SDSU. This new society will be made up of the most impactful group of supporters within the athletic department.
Membership in the leadership society is achieved through new commitments to Athletics; past gifts do not apply towards the $100,000 minimum. Your membership can be fulfilled over a maximum of four years. This philanthropic recognition program celebrates Y&BLS members by providing unique engagement opportunities designed to create a deeper connection with SDSU Athletics through exclusive experiences. Gifts to Jackrabbit Club, excellence funds, Jackrabbit Athletic Scholarship Auction, Athletic Director's Fund, Student-Athlete Experience Fund, capital projects, and endowments qualify for the membership threshold.
Interested in becoming a member?
Contact UsWhy is the Yellow & Blue Leadership Society Vital to SDSU Athletics?
As we continue to navigate this new era of college athletics, we will be required to be more efficient and prepared than ever before. Long-term giving plans will be essential to both the success of our athletics department and its student-athletes.
Being able to forecast our philanthropic support over a multi-year period will have many benefits, including allowing our department to plan and execute investments and projects in a more effective manner. This initiative will have a direct impact on student-athletes, optimizing your impact and further maximizing their student-athlete experience. We believe this will be a critical way to help our university thrive in our ability to recruit and retain high achieving student-athletes.
What Benefits Will I Receive as a Yellow & Blue Leadership Society Member?
Becoming a member of the Yellow & Blue Leadership Society will truly allow you to have a profound impact at South Dakota State University. In addition, each Y&BLS membership will come with your standard Jackrabbit Club membership benefits or excellence fund perks (commensurate with the level of donation per year), as well as the following:
- Public recognition as a member of the Yellow & Blue Leadership Society asfsfasdfasdfasdfsafd
- Biannual exclusive invitations to state of the department meetings with the Athletic Director
- Unique Engagement Opportunities (events designed to facilitate deeper relationships and experiences with the AD, head coaches, and student athletes)
Hear From Our Leadership
Ryan Christy
Senior Associate AD
"The Yellow & Blue Leadership Society is an exciting opportunity to recognize this group of impactful donors for their commitment to the Jackrabbits. Long-term giving plans are essential to the success of our department. We are grateful for every gift benefitting our student-athletes, but our high-level leadership gifts are critical to our ability to prepare for the future."
Justin Sell
Director of Athletics
"The Yellow & Blue Leadership Society will be transformational for our programs and their long-term success. As we navigate this era of college athletics, our highest-level supporters have more of an impact than ever before. I am grateful to our charter members for their commitment to our student-athletes and our vision for the future."
Charter Members
The following individuals are charter members of the Yellow & Blue Leadership Society:
- Rusty and Sherry Antonen
- John and Wendy Baumiller
- Scott and Karla Dagel
- Barbara A. Dohrer
- Dana J. and LaDawn S. Dykhouse
- Kevin C. and Lorie L. Haarberg
- Bruce G. Haggar
- Gary and Kathy Hansen
- Duane D. Harms and Barbara Reed Harms
- Mylo A. and Lillian G. Hellickson
- Richard J. and Mary A. Helsper
- Randy T. and Julie M. Jones
- Arlo DeKraai
- David Knowlton
- Steven Kvistad
- The Ramsdell Family
- Roger and Pam Rix
- David E. and Laurie J. Schaefer
- Chris and Molly Schenkel
- David W. and Barb Schmidt
- Jeff and Jane Siekmann
- Lowell D. and Karen E. Somsen
- John and Laurie Stiegelmeier
- Dick and Patti Stolp
- Curt and Cindy Swanhorst
- Kimberly Tyler
- Two anonymous donors
Impacted Funds
The following funds have been impacted or created by gifts to the Yellow & Blue Leadership Society:
- Athletic Directors Fund
- Athletic Scholarship & Excellence Endowments
- Baseball Excellence Fund
- Dakota Layers Stadium
- Football Difference Maker's Club
- Jackrabbit Athletics Scholarship Auction
- Jackrabbit Club
- Jackrabbit Former Players Association Fund
- Men's Basketball Excellence Fund
- Nutrition Fund
- Roster Management Funds
- Softball Excellence Fund
- Women's Basketball Excellence Fund
- Wrestling Excellence Fund
Contact Us
Interested in becoming a member of the Yellow & Blue Leadership Society? Connect with a member of our team: