Established in 2001 by Gerald Lange and faculty, staff, alumni, and friends of Herb Blakely, past faculty member and coach at DSU. The fund is designed to aid in the recruitment of, or provides assistance to, men and women’s cross country and track scholar/athletes.

This scholarship has been created on behalf of Jeff Dittman to assist players participating in the Lady T’s basketball program. Coach Dittman began his coaching at Dakota State in 1993. During his eleven years as the head coach, he has accumulated the second most wins among all coaches in Lady T history. His accomplishments have also included winning the SDIC in the 1999-2000 season with 25 wins and 8 loses and an Elite Eight finish in the NAIA Division II National Tournament. His 2000-01 squad recorded a 23-9 record and won the first DAC-10 Conference Championship. He has been selected Conference Coach of the Year twice in 1997-98 and 2000-01. Coach Dittman has produced many NAIA All-Americans, NAIA Academic All-Americans and  All-Conference players.

Coach Dittman’s dedication and commitment to the Lady T’s program has moved the program to National recognition. The Lady T’s have been ranked in the NAIA “Top Twenty” national polls five consecutive years and in 2000 were ranked as high as 7^th in the country.

This scholarship is awarded on an annual basis to new or returning women basketball student athletes who demonstrate qualities of leadership, good character, and success in academics.

Dr. Dittman began teaching and coaching at Dakota State in the fall of 1978 and during her tenure, she has taught, coached basketball, softball, track, and was the Director of Athletics from 1989-1996 and 1999-2000. She also was instrumental in beginning the Dakota State University Wellness Center and has served as the Director for a number of years. Her basketball teams won nine SDIC Championships in twelve years (1980-87 and 1990) and her teams hold SDIC records for most conference wins in a season at 14-0 in both 1981 and 1982. Her overall coaching record is 176-101 for a 64% win average while her SDIC coaching record is 104-17. Included in that domination is a 35 game winning streak that extended from February 5, 1981 to January 21, 1984. Coach Dittman was named SDIC Coach of the Year five times in seven years (1984-1987 and 1990). In 1989, she was named South Dakota Women’s College Coach of the Year. Her softball teams won 3 SDIC conference championships and were undefeated in conference play.

In 1992-1993, she was chosen NAIA District 12 Athletic Administrator of the year. Judy was inducted into the South Dakota-Iowa Conference Hall of Fame in 1999 and the Black Hills State University in 1990.

This scholarship was established on Sept. 19, 2002 in loving memory of Dakota State University’s Athletic Director Tom Gioglio and wife Melissa’s infant son. This endowment could not have been created without the generosity and kindness of the following family and friends: 

Tom, Melissa, Kalista & Kinley Gioglio; Jack & Connie “Nani” Casamasso; Jack & Connie Giordano; Leo & Carol Bosch, Bobby, Theresa, Heather & Shannon Dicks; Mark, Julie, Bryce, Jaden & Easton Andersen; Steven & Carol Gioglio; Sam & Diane Masucci, Sr.; Tom & Christine Faragalli; Sam & Diane Masucci, Jr.; Duane & Cindy Masucci; Billy & Vickie Sesty; Tony & Annette Rosigno; Bob & Jackie Furbeck; Billy & Esther Shearer; Danny & Roxanne Febus; Geroge & Jackie Lanterman; Ed & Helen Bartlien; and Neil & Delores Kukla.

The recipient of this annual scholarship must be a student participating in varsity athletics at DSU with a 3.5 GPA and is involved in community service activities.

This women’s basketball endowed scholarship was established by Rick and Diane Honermann on behalf of their daughter Heidi and their niece Jessica to assist the Lady T’s in the recruitment of quality women basketball players.  Both players are graduates of Adrian High School and were standout prep athletes for the southwest Minnesota community.

Heidi was a four-year letter winner at Dakota State from 1997 through 2001.  A two-time Academic All-American, Heidi was one of the most proficient long-range shooters to ever play at Dakota State.  She finished as the all-time leader in 3-point field goal percentage (40.1%) and third all-time 3-point field goal shooter (163 made).  While outstanding at the offensive end, Heidi was a key to the Lady T's defensive success and finished seventh in career steals.  She was one of the top defenders in the
Dakota-10 conference her senior season.  Heidi was a member of two Conference Championship teams that also advanced to the NAIA National Tournament where they finished in the “Sweet Sixteen” and “Elite Eight” rounds.

Jessica was a four-year letter winner from 1999 to 2003.  The 6-0” forward was an All-DAC 10 performer and is found throughout the DSU record books.  Jess reached the 1,000 point mark on February 13th against Huron University and finished her career with 1070 points (8th overall).  She finished first in career blocked shots (153) and has single season blocked shots records of fifty-two (1st), forty-two (3rd), thirty-two (7th) and 27
(9th).Jessica also finished 5th in career steals (188), 7th in career rebounds (602), 10th in career field goals (430) and career 3-point field goals (39).  She also finished 1st in single season 3-point field goal percentage 53.1% and 5th in career field goal percentage (51.3%).  Jessica was also a member of two conference championship squads (1999 and 2000) and three NAIA National qualifying teams (2000, 2001, and 2003). 

Thomas Murphy was born in River Falls, WI in 1949.  Mr. Murphy died in Vietnam, April 1, 1970, while serving his country in the armed forces.   The Thomas Murphy memorial scholarship is awarded annually to a “walk on” football player who earns his spot on the team through hard work and determination and meets scholastic requirements.

Dakota State University appreciates the generosity and vision of Mr. Gerald Murphy in the endowment of this scholarship in memory of his brother and others who gave their lives to serve their country.  The DSU head football coach and the DSU Athletic Director participate in the selection of the award recipient.  

Jane Nielsen was the mother of Erin Nielsen who played for the Lady T's women's basketball team from 1999-2003. Throughout Erin's first two seasons as a Lady T, Jane only missed 3 games out of nearly 70 contests.  Jane was a mom to the Lady T’s players whose parents couldn't make it to games. She was a positive person who cared about the student athletes. For these reasons and many more, Jane was named as the Lady T's "Most Valuable Mom!"

During Erin's junior season, Jane suffered health complications that prevented her from attending many of Erin's games.  Her health continued to decline and Jane passed away at the end of Erin’s senior year.

This endowment has been created in Jane's memory for a Lady T who exemplifies a similar level of commitment, determination, and pride to the team as she once did.  The family of Jane Nielsen asks that this scholarship be awarded to a second year athlete, who is in good academic standing and exemplifies a high level of commitment, determination and pride to the team based on first year experiences. The recipient of this scholarship must also show need for financial assistance, if possible, coming from a single parent family.