$20 million dollar gift from Denny Sanford for new track facility raises his philanthropic gifts way past the billion dollar mark
University of South Dakota Athletic Director Jon Schemmel has announced a $20 million dollar gift commitment from Denny Sanford to help build a new, state-of-the-art indoor track and field facility.
The facility is in honor of the Bill and Jill Gassen family and, pending Board approval, will be known as the Gassen Family Fieldhouse.
“I want to thank Mr. Sanford for this transformative gift to Coyote Athletics, and we are thrilled to honor amazing Coyotes in Bill and Jill Gassen,” commented Schemmel.
“Not only will this gift build a world-class indoor track facility, but it will also create an entire new home for our track and field programs, allowing us to turn the DakotaDome into a turf-down facility. All 430 of our student-athletes and the community of Vermillion will benefit tremendously from this investment.”
The gift from Denny Sanford matches the most significant gift to South Dakota athletics in its history.
“Bill Gassen has demonstrated remarkable leadership as the president and CEO of Sanford Health,” said T. Denny Sanford. “I am pleased to honor Bill and his wife Jill with this gift to the University of South Dakota.”
Comments from Bill and Jill Gassen :
“We are honored to celebrate the announcement of the Gassen Family Fieldhouse at the University of South Dakota, a gift made possible thanks to the unparalleled generosity of Mr. Denny Sanford. Mr. Sanford’s enduring commitment to investing in South Dakota has made it an exceptional place in the world to pursue one’s academic dreams, thrive as a student-athlete, and establish deep roots.
We are deeply grateful for our experiences at USD. It is not only where we earned our undergraduate and graduate degrees and had the privilege of competing as student-athletes, but it is also where we started our lives together 25 years ago. Today, we are blessed to be the parents of five children, all of whom aspire to attend USD when the time comes.
The mentorship we received from Coach Gotts (Dave Gottsleben) and Coach Lucky (Lucky Huber) has shaped our lives in immeasurable ways. We look back with joy and appreciation for the lifelong relationships we formed during our time at USD, many of which were forged through shared experiences with fellow student-athletes and coaches, including my brother, Josh Gassen (USD Football), and his wife, Marci Gassen (USD Track & Field).
We are thrilled about the opportunities the Gassen Family Fieldhouse will create for future generations of Coyotes. This facility will not only elevate the student-athlete experience but also strengthen the legacy of excellence and community that defines USD. Go Yotes!”
The new indoor facility will feature a 200-meter banked track with a pair of perimeter warm-up lanes, as well as a 60-meter straightaway.
It will also feature a pair of long jump/triple jump pits, two pole vaulting stations, two high jumps over straightaways, and a pair of throwing cages.
“This new indoor track facility will be a game-changer for our student-athletes. Having access to a world-class, 200-meter banked track, along with dedicated locker rooms, lounges, and coaching spaces, ensures that our Coyotes can train, compete, and recover at the highest level right here on campus,” said Director of USD Track and Field and Cross Country Lucky Huber.
“More than just a building, this facility represents our commitment to giving students the resources they need to reach their full potential—athletically, academically, and personally.”
The venue will feature elevated seating for 2,000 spectators and a viewing concourse that opens to the track and field events below.
As the new home of South Dakota track and field, the facility will also include coach offices, a recruiting lounge, a training and nutrition center, and locker rooms.
“For future Coyotes, this facility shows our commitment to giving you the best. You’ll train on the same caliber of track used at NCAA and World Championship meets, in a space built specifically for our athletes,” noted Huber. “When you choose USD, you’re choosing an environment where you can chase big goals, develop as a student-athlete, and prepare to compete against the very best.”
The new facility will also benefit the Coyote student-athletes of the softball and women’s tennis programs with batting cages and practice tennis courts.
Both graduates of USD, Bill Gassen graduated with a bachelor’s degree in criminal science in 2004 and a J.D. in 2008, while Jill earned her bachelor’s degree in biology in 2004 and a physician assistant degree in 2006.
Both were members of the track and field team. Jill competed in hurdles and pole vault, and Bill competed as a two-sport athlete, throwing shot put and starting at nose guard for the Coyote football team.
Bill is the president and CEO of Sanford Health.
Jill is a Physicians Assistant (PA) with the VA Hospital in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.