South Dakota
South Dakota Sports Hall of Fame induction latest honor in Scott Morgan's storied career
MITCHELL — All Scott Morgan wanted to do was have fun when he first picked up a basketball.
Little did he know he’d put together one of the most prolific basketball careers in South Dakota history, let alone be recognized for it.
Morgan was one of 19 inductees into the South Dakota Sports Hall of Fame class of 2024 for his contributions to both Mitchell High School and Dakota Wesleyan University basketball. Much like his other honors over the years, it came as a complete surprise to him.
“I wasn’t even expecting it,” Morgan said upon finding out from former Mitchell and DWU radio announcer Tim Smith. “It’s a heck of an honor, and I was excited about it and thought it’s pretty cool.”
Mitchell Republic file photo
As a Kernel under the tutelage of legendary coach Gary Munsen, the 6-foot-7 Morgan was a two-time Class AA all-state first-team selection while helping Mitchell High School to three state tournaments, including a runner-up finish his junior season in 1988.
At DWU, he was twice named the NAIA Division II national player of the year, averaging 25.8 points and 10.7 rebounds throughout his career, and finished with the second-most points in school history at 2,810. Morgan is one of only six 2,000-point scorers in Tigers history and his jersey No. 50 is one of seven retired by the men’s basketball program.
However, after only his second game of his sophomore season with Mitchell, Morgan’s first on the varsity team, the mark he left on the Corn Palace floor almost never came to fruition.
Mitchell Republic file photo
“(Coach) Munsen told me after one or two games, ‘If you don’t start shooting, I’m going to put you on the bench,’” Morgan recalled. “As a young kid playing against older kids, you’re really nervous to pull the trigger, but I didn’t want to sit on the bench, so I better start shooting.”
Crediting Munsen for bringing the best out of him and his players on game days, Morgan flooded the post and overpowered opponents on contested rebounds. He never paid attention to how many points he scored, as he enjoyed the camaraderie of playing with his teammates and siblings he shared the court with.
It was especially true the night he set the South Dakota collegiate scoring record, putting up 57 points against Mount Marty in 1992. When he reached 55, Morgan was oblivious to what was at stake to the point he questioned why teammate Craig Cheeseman kept feeding him the ball.
“I had no idea how many points I had because it wasn’t posted (on the scoreboard) like it is now,” Morgan said. “He kept throwing me the ball and said, ‘You’re going to get the record,’ and I’m like, ‘What are you talking about?’ I ended up breaking it on free throws, which was cool.”
Mitchell Republic file photo
Morgan’s team-oriented personality on the floor went back to the days of playing basketball with his siblings in their driveway on the farm, as his ultimate goal was to have fun playing a sport he grew to enjoy, and still supports to this day. Looking back on his journey, Morgan cherishes the time spent being around others from pickup games to the long road trips.
“We had good times in high school playing duck ball and playing 3-on-3,” Morgan said. “When you like doing something, you find whatever it takes to go play. You get together with your buddies and that’s what you did.”
Morgan currently resides in Mitchell with his wife Stacy, with whom he has raised three children, and is the owner of Blarney’s Sportsbar and Grill off Highland Way in Mitchell.
In addition to being inducted into the South Dakota Sports Hall of Fame, Morgan is already a member of the Dakota Wesleyan University, Mitchell High School, South Dakota Basketball and South Dakota Intercollegiate Conference Halls of Fame. He’s also a member of the NAIA National Hall of Fame.
The South Dakota Sports Hall of Fame banquet is on Sunday, Sept. 22, at the Sioux Falls Convention Center.
Blake Durham is a Sports Reporter for the Mitchell Republic, having joined in October of 2023. He graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire in December of 2022 with a bachelor’s degree in Communications. Durham can be found covering a variety of prep and collegiate sports in the area.
PIERRE, S.D. (Dakota News Now) – The South Dakota State Museum in Pierre reopened three rooms to the public on July 1st after three years of renovations.
The State Historical Society received funds to enhance the Cultural Heritage Center in 2022, aimed at improving the building and expanding collection storage.
The museum’s exhibits were redeveloped based on extensive public input and updated state social studies standards, ensuring they reflect South Dakota’s story for modern visitors.
The reopening of the three rooms is part of the America 250 celebration.
“Come to Pierre and experience South Dakota’s history! People of many backgrounds have aided the process, so come see the collective work,” said South Dakota State Museum Director David Grabitske.
The South Dakota State Museum is closed on Mondays, but is open from 10:00 am to 4:30 pm, Tuesday through Saturday, and 1:00 pm to 4:30 pm on Sundays.
Admission is free for all South Dakotans and children from anywhere.
The remainder of the museum gallery space will be reopened later this year.
Copyright 2026 Dakota News Now. All rights reserved.
BADLANDS, S.D (KELO)– Cars and campers full of visitors are visiting Badlands National Park today. Tourists are traveling from other states to be in South Dakota for America’s 250th.
“I mean, it’s the kind of thing that you build a road trip for,” said William Retherford, who traveled from Indiana with his family.
For the out-of-state travelers, the beauty of the Badlands can be surprising.
“You picture South Dakota, you think flatland and grass,” said Michael Balafas, who traveled to SD from Idaho. “There are some pockets of South Dakota that are absolutely stunning.”
“It’s hard to even believe that it exists,” said Retherford.
Both families are also enjoying other sites during their trips to western South Dakota.
“What my mom says a lot of the time is, it’s not about the destination but the journey,” said Aralyn Balafas.
Retherford and his family had hoped to be at Mount Rushmore for Friday’s fireworks show.
“We entered eight different ways but didn’t get any tickets,” said Retherford.
Despite not being at the landmark for the show, the trip is well worth it for the country’s 250th.
“It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I mean, we’ll never get to do that again,” said Michael.
“This is the kind of trip that you wait a lifetime for,” said Retherford.
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (Dakota News Now) – Several new South Dakota laws officially take effect July 1 after being signed into law this session.
This includes new rules on government transparency, online safety, and data privacy.
The Attorney General’s office says the changes are designed to protect South Dakotans both online and in public institutions.
The following 10 bills go into effect July 1:
- Senate Bill 17: Prohibits a candidate or political committee from accepting contributions or loans made by a foreign national. It was unanimously passed by both the House and Senate.
- Senate Bill 41: Revise a provision related to criminal invasions of privacy, prohibit the creation and distribution of digitally fabricated material of an identifiable individual, and provide penalties therefor.
- Senate Bill 42: Enhance the penalties for ingestion, possession with intent to deliver, and delivery of a controlled substance in a state correctional facility.
- Senate Bill 43: Address search and seizure provisions applicable to digital currency.
- Senate Bill 44: Establish investigative subpoena authority to gather business records in certain investigations.
- Senate Bill 45: Revise a provision regulating delta-8 tetrahydrocannabinol, THC-O acetate, and hexahydrocannabinol for persons under the age of under the age of twenty-one and to provide a penalty therefor.
- Senate Bill 46: Modify the requirements for open meeting agendas and provide a penalty therefor.
- Senate Bill 47: Revise the requirements for executive sessions and closed meetings.
- Senate Bill 48: Clarify that an official open meeting agenda must be posted online at least seventy-two hours before the scheduled start of the meeting.
- Senate Bill 49: Safeguards the integrity, privacy, and security of genetic data and provides a civil penalty therefor.
“These bills protect our citizens from online predators, scammers, and illegal drugs, while they strengthen transparency within state government,” said Attorney General Jackley.
Copyright 2026 Dakota News Now. All rights reserved.
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