South Dakota

South Dakota State to host first state high school esports tourney this weekend

Published

2 years ago

March 19, 2024

South Dakota State to host first state high school esports tourney this weekend

Michael Klinski
| SDN Communications

Jeff Evenson didn’t know much about esports when he first heard that the South Dakota High School Activities Association (SDHSAA) was considering sanctioning it.

“I kind of thought it was just a bunch of kids playing video games, and I was thinking, ‘Come on, get outside and go do something,’” he said.

But when Evenson began to learn more about esports through his job as a sales and marketing manager at Northern Valley Communications/James Valley Telecommunications and through his son’s interest in video games, his opinion started to change.

“I learned quickly it was about connecting kids who have like interests,” he said. “It’s learning teamwork and communicating with each other on a team in pursuit of a common end goal. To me, that is a life skill you will need in the workforce someday.”

That future workforce includes NVC/JVT and other SDN Communications member companies in the telecommunications industry across South Dakota. Several of the companies, including NVC/JVT, are contributing money and behind-the-scenes support to schools in their coverage area.

For NVC/JVT, that means a one-time donation of $2,000 for Aberdeen Central, Northwestern and Warner high schools for the 2023-24 pilot season as well as a commitment to other schools that might sign up when the sport is sanctioned by the SDHSAA in the fall. The funds can be used for whatever the schools want, as long as it’s connected to their esports program. Aberdeen used the funds to help pay for professional coaching, while Northwestern and Warner are using it to offset students’ entry fees, Evenson said.

“We knew we wanted to be a part of it,” Evenson said. “This is not a traditional sport, but it is a sport that is near and dear to our hearts and our industry. These might be our customers and our employees someday, so we are embracing it.”

‘What we do complements what esports is doing’

SDN Communications, a business connectivity provider in South Dakota and southwestern Minnesota, is owned by 17 telecommunications member companies. Those companies cover more than 80% of the state and hundreds of communities.

Several members are supporting their local schools’ esports program as the SDHSAA prepares to sanction the sport for the 2024-25 school year. More than a dozen schools will compete in the pilot season’s state tournament March 22-23 at South Dakota State University in Brookings, and many of them are being supported by SDN member companies.

Interstate Telecommunications Cooperative (ITC), based in Clear Lake, provides Internet and TV service to more than 10 eastern South Dakota counties. It’s supporting Deuel’s esports team and will contribute to other schools if they sign on.

ITC gave $3,000 to Deuel’s team, which includes player jerseys with ITC’s logo. Since Deuel already had an established program and equipment, the team used the funds for trophies, end-of-year awards, a pizza party and game-specific training, coach Michael Gohring said.

The partnership was a natural fit, ITC CEO Tracy Bandemer said.

“You need a good internet connection for esports, and you aren’t going to find anything better than the fiber internet we offer,” she said. “What we do complements what esports is doing. And then who knows? They might be our next employees. We are looking out in the future — that is just a good place to be.”

Deuel has been participating in esports for five years; Gohring said the school was one of the first in the state to start a program. Students built the team’s computers, teaching them valuable tech skills in addition to their participation.

“It’s nice to have (ITC’s) support,” Gohring said. “They are a pillar in our community – literally a block away from our school.”

SDN member companies all in on esports

Like ITC and NVC/JVT, Midstate Communications reached out to all its schools in its coverage area to offer up a partnership, General Manager and CEO Chad Mutziger said.

Midstate, which is based in Kimball, will contribute $3,000 over three years to schools that start an esports team. Mutziger said five have signed up to start a program, including Platte-Geddes, which received a $5,000 grant, including $500 from Midstate, to help kickstart its team.

Mutziger cited the workforce development aspect as well as the fiber internet connection as to why Midstate is getting involved, but he also said the company is happy to support a program that offers an extracurricular activity to some students who sometimes get overlooked.

“Esports might reach out to kids who maybe weren’t involved in other extracurricular activities in the schools,” Mutziger said. “And it gives them an opportunity to be part of a team or be a part of their school.”

At NVC/JVT, Evenson said they reached out to nine schools in their coverage area to offer support for an esports program. Meanwhile, the three schools that are participating in the pilot season are doing so in different ways. Aberdeen Central has a state-of-the art computer lab, while Warner’s team is competing and practicing from home. Northwestern has a combination of at-home and in-school practices.

SDN member companies have connected South Dakota communities with the world for decades. Now they’re helping connect students in schools through esports.

“This sport is flexible for schools,” Evenson said. “It’s going to help connect kids. … It’s absolutely paramount and crucial that (SDN member companies) are involved in this. These are our kids that are in these schools, and this is part of why it has been so important for all of us to get fiber to these rural communities. Not just for gaming, but you are not going to have a successful esports team if you don’t have fast, reliable broadband.”

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South Dakota

Nebraska volleyball to play regular-season match in South Dakota

Published

7 hours ago

March 3, 2026

Press Room

Nebraska volleyball to play regular-season match in South Dakota

Nebraska volleyball will play South Dakota State in a regular-season match in Brookings, S.D. The Huskers will face the Jackrabbits on September 2 at First Bank & Trust Arena.

Nebraska finished 2025 with a 33-1 overall record and was ranked No. 3 in the final AVCA poll of the season. South Dakota State was 23-5 and was the Summit League regular-season champions.

These two programs have faced each other before. They played a spring exhibition match in May 2025. The Huskers were victorious by a 4-0 sweep (25-18, 25-19, 25-17, 25-19).

Harper Murray led the Huskers in kills with 12, while also earning seven digs, five blocks and two aces. Andi Jackson delivered a double-double on the day, finishing with 11 kills and 10 blocks.

Nebraska is scheduled to play two exhibition games this spring. The Huskers will face Iowa State in Sioux Falls, S.D. on April 11 and Creighton in Omaha on April 17.

Contact/Follow us @CornhuskersWire (https://twitter.com/CornhuskersWire) on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page onFacebook (https://www.facebook.com/CornhuskersWire) to follow ongoing coverage of Nebraska news, notes and opinions.

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South Dakota

SD Lottery Powerball, Lotto America winning numbers for March 2, 2026

Published

19 hours ago

March 3, 2026

Press Room

The South Dakota Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big.

Here’s a look at March 2, 2026, results for each game:

Winning Powerball numbers from March 2 drawing

02-17-18-38-62, Powerball: 20, Power Play: 2

Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Lotto America numbers from March 2 drawing

03-08-17-24-34, Star Ball: 06, ASB: 02

Check Lotto America payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from March 2 drawing

28-41-42-50-55, Bonus: 02

Check Millionaire for Life payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your prize

Prizes of $100 or less: Can be claimed at any South Dakota Lottery retailer.
Prizes of $101 or more: Must be claimed from the Lottery. By mail, send a claim form and a signed winning ticket to the Lottery at 711 E. Wells Avenue, Pierre, SD 57501.
Any jackpot-winning ticket for Dakota Cash or Lotto America, top prize-winning ticket for Lucky for Life, or for the second prizes for Powerball and Mega Millions must be presented in person at a Lottery office. A jackpot-winning Powerball or Mega Millions ticket must be presented in person at the Lottery office in Pierre.

When are the South Dakota Lottery drawings held?

Powerball: 9:59 p.m. CT on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
Mega Millions: 10 p.m. CT on Tuesday and Friday.
Lucky for Life: 9:38 p.m. CT daily.
Lotto America: 9:15 p.m. CT on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
Dakota Cash: 9 p.m. CT on Wednesday and Saturday.
Millionaire for Life: 10:15 p.m. CT daily.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a South Dakota editor. You can send feedback using this form.

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South Dakota

How South Dakota officials have reacted to ‘massive’ US attack on Iran

Published

1 day ago

March 2, 2026

Press Room

How South Dakota officials have reacted to ‘massive’ US attack on Iran

South Dakota’s Congressional leaders are praising President Donald Trump for his action of joining Israel for a missile-launched attack this weekend in Iran, with the intent to target and dismantle Iran’s nuclear capabilities and demand regime change.

“Our objective is to defend the American people by eliminating imminent threats from the Iranian regime, a vicious group of very hard, terrible people,” Trump said Saturday, Feb. 28, calling the strikes, “a massive and ongoing operation.”

Trump has since faced scrutiny for a lack of clarity about the timeline and overall goals of the war, and acting without the direct approval of Congress, which has the power to officially declare war for the U.S. Lawmakers are also in heated debate about whether the Trump’s decision may violate the Constitution, with Democrats calling for a war powers resolution vote to stop the effort, according to multiple military outlets.

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran’s supreme leader, was directly targeted, a Middle Eastern official told USA TODAY. Khamenei was killed in the attacks on Feb. 28, according to Israeli sources who told USA TODAY, CNN and Reuters. He was 86 and had led Iran since 1989.

Iran retaliated with drone and missile strikes, hitting American and Israeli targets, including a U.S. Naval base in Bahrain. Iran said its enemies would be “decisively defeated.”

At least four Americans and an estimated 200 other individuals have been killed, and an estimated 700 injured as of March 2.

President Trump said he expects more to come.

Here’s what South Dakota Congressional leaders, along with former South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem, who now sits at the helm of the Department of Homeland Security as secretary, have to say about what has been named by the administration as Operation Epic Fury.

U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune

“For years, Iran’s relentless nuclear ambitions, its expanded ballistic missile inventory and its unwavering support for terror groups in the region have posed a clear and unacceptable threat to U.S. servicemembers, citizens in the region, and many of our allies,” said Thune, a Republican, the morning of Feb. 28 in a comment from his office.

“Despite the dogged efforts of the president and his administration, the Iranian regime has refused the diplomatic off-ramps that would peacefully resolve these national security concerns. I commend President Trump for taking action to thwart these threats,” Thune said, thanking Secretary Rubio for providing updates on these issues throughout the week.

“I look forward to administration officials briefing all senators about these military operations,” he said. “I commend the bravery of the servicemembers carrying out these operations and pray for the safety of those in harm’s way.”

U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds

Rounds, a Republican, said Trump took “the right course of action” when handling the strike.

Rounds later congratulated the United States military and Trump on the death of the Iranian leader, stating the moment “offers a path for a more peaceful Middle East.”

U.S. Rep. Dusty Johnson

Johnson, a Republican and the lone U.S. representative for South Dakota, stated the Iranian regime “is full of theocratic thugs and is the world’s largest state sponsor of terror.” He said Trump had given multiple opportunities to change direction.

“I’m praying for the safety of America’s servicemembers, and our allies involved in Operation Epic Fury,” Johnson stated on social media.

DHS Secretary Kristi Noem

Noem, who left her governorship after she was appointed secretary at the beginning of Trump’s current term, took to social media as well, stating she was actively monitoring any potential threats against America.

“I am in direct coordination with our federal intelligence and law enforcement partners,” she said.

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