Second annual DSU Springfest this Friday

The Dakota State University Athletic department will be celebrating the second annual Springfest party at 6pm Friday at Nicky’s in Madison. In addition to Friday’s activities, alumni volleyball and football games will be played on Saturday at 11am and 1:30pm respectively.

On Friday, there will be dinner, dance, trivia and a silent auction. An all-you-can-eat buffet will be provided and "Pure Pressure Sound" will DJ for the dance.

The cost for the evening is $25 per couple or $15 per person. All proceeds go towards athletic scholarships.

“Springfest is another way for the Athletic Department to raise money for scholarships, while providing a fun, festive atmosphere for those donating,” said Dr. Tom Gioglio, DSU Athletic Director.

Auction items include several autographed sports memorabilia from many professional athletes, including Mike Miller, Adam Vinatieri, Tiger Woods, Cal Ripken Jr., Derek Jeter and Kobe Bryant, among several others. Trivia prizes will be provided by area business merchants and the DSU athletic department.

On Saturday, DSU alumni will be back to take on the new look Trojans volleyball and football teams. The volleyball Trojans will play at 11am on the Fieldhouse gym floor.

“I’m happy that we are starting a new tradition for Trojan Volleyball,” Cynthia Henning, DSU head volleyball coach said. “The alumni will be pleasantly surprised to see all the changes that have occurred at DSU since they left. For our returning players it helps to give them a sense of the history of our program.”

At 1:30pm, the football Trojans take to the field against the alumni.

“Reinstating the alumni game provides an opportunity for alums to reconnect to Dakota State qualities that laid the foundation of where we’re at and the successes we’ve made,” said Gene Wockenfuss, DSU head football coach.

Because of some injuries the Trojan quarterback position is in question.

“We’ll have limited numbers playing but I’m looking forward to the opportunity to showcase our team and to see those players from the past,” added Wockenfuss.

“We hope to have a good turn out for the alumni games,” Wendy Shoenrock, DSU director of alumni and annual giving said. “It will be exciting to see DSU alumnus, Gene Wockenfuss in action as the new head football coach for the first time. The alumni volleyball team is rallying to see if they can beat Coach Henning’s Trojans. I invite and encourage DSU alumni, friends, and community members to join us for this event filled day.”

For more information regarding Springfest or the alumni games please contact Tom Gioglio at 256-5233 or e-mail him at Tom.Gioglio@dsu.edu.