The Class of 1997 Endowed Scholarship

     The Class of 1997 Women’s Basketball Scholarship Endowment was established by DSU Lady T’s members Danielle Nolte and Michelle Butash-Daniels.  The scholarship is designed to assist in the recruitment of quality women basketball players to the Lady T’s basketball program.  

            Danielle and Michelle were the first recruiting class for Coach Jeff Dittman.  Prior to their arrival, the women’s basketball team compiled a 4-24 season record.  In the next fours years, Danielle and Michelle would help rebuild the Lady T’s basketball program.  In their senior year, Dakota State would record an 18-10 record and a third place finish in an extremely competitive South Dakota Intercollegiate Conference.  This would be the first of many nationally-recognized teams for the Dakota State women's basketball program.

            Danielle Nolte was a Brandon High School graduate, majoring in Information Systems.  An outstanding student, Danielle was twice named NAIA Academic All-American.  A 5’10” forward, she was also an All-Conference selection while finishing 8^th in career points with 976 points.  She also left career marks in rebounding with 545 rebounds (7^th), steals (131 – 9^th), blocked shots (33 – 6^th), and 7^th in field goals. Danielle shot 48.8% from the field, ranking her 6^th in career field goal percentage, and 66.7% from the freethrow line, 5^th in career freethrow percentage. Danielle is employed as a systems analyst for Mutual of Omaha.

            Michelle Butash-Daniels graduated from Berkley High School in Michigan.  She was a scholarship athlete in basketball and track while attending DSU and distinguished herself in both.  At 5’4”, Michelle was an extremely quick point guard who could break down any team’s press while also causing havoc on the defensive end.  Michelle finished her career with 226 steals, ranking her 2^nd all-time for DSU.  She also knocked down 36 three-point shots, good for 9^th all-time.  Michelle was named MVP of the Grinnell College Tournament her senior year, helping the Lady T’s to the tournament championship.  She was also named MVP of the SDIC Conference track meet twice, finishing in the top five in eleven different track and field events.  Michelle also qualified for the NAIA National Meet her junior and senior seasons.  Michelle graduated with an Exercise Science major and is employed by the Oakland Athletic Club in Birmingham, Michigan.

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