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Annual Dakota Oyate Challenge

Madison-The Annual Dakota Oyate Challenge (DOC) will be held January 28-31 in Huron, SD. The DOC is a high school all-Indian basketball tournament, drawing teams from South Dakota, North Dakota, Nebraska, and Kansas.  The 32 Native American based teams make the DOC one of the largest sanctioned high school basketball tournaments in the Midwest.

For the past two years, Dakota State University in Madison, SD has earned the distinction from the Dakota Oyate Challenge of #1 College of Choice. That designation gives DSU more opportunities for interaction with team participants throughout the 4 days of the tournament.  Because of the positive response received last year, Dakota State has again established a partnership with MidContinent Communications to web cast the 33 games of the tournament on the World Wide Web.  DSU will also co-host a technology room with Gateway, where tournament goers can come to check their email and surf the web. DSU Center of Excellence Director Wayne Pauli and his students will also be showcasing a network of Tablet PC’s to give tournament goers a hands-on experience with this new technology.  Admissions team members will provide a DSU information booth throughout the tournament and take part in the college fair hosted by DOC on Friday, January 30.  Halftime performances by the DSU Dance Team and the DSU Cheerleaders are also included.

DSU Native American Advisor Steve Martin is pleased the University takes part in the Dakota Oyate Challenge. “The tournament stresses the importance of education and it gives us a chance to reach out to the Native American students, show them what opportunities are here for them at DSU.”  As part of the tournament, Martin represents DSU in presenting the Steve Withorne Memorial Award.  Withorne was a leader in the Native American community, playing on several state championship teams in high school and earning distinction as an athlete in college.  He officiated for numerous high school games and tournaments through the years as well.  Withorne passed away in 1999.  The Steve Withorne Memorial Award is given to a Native American college student who exemplifies Withorne’s commitment to education and sportsmanship. Last years recipient was Aurora Roemmich of Rapid City, SD.   

The Dakota Oyate Challenge is put on annually by the DOC board, led by Robert Begay and made up of members from participating tournament schools. Tickets for this event can be obtained at door.