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Top DakotaDome Student-Athletes
Note: As The University of South Dakota Athletic Department celebrates the 30th anniversary of the DakotaDome, Sports Information Graduate Assistant Emilie Kluth will be writing several feature stories throughout the 2009-10 season. She will chronicle everything from the storied history of the Dome to some of the greatest athletes and coaches to call the building home. Fans are encouraged to submit their favorite Dome memories or stories to Sports Information Coordinator Amil Anderson at amil.anderson@usd.edu. Your moments could be published at the bottom of this article or be used for future stories.
Fan Responses
Article 1: DakotaDome Celebrates 30th Anniversary
Article 2: Hatches Named DakotaDome’s First Couple
Article 3: Top Ten DakotaDome Moments
30th Anniversary of the DakotaDome Video (Part 1) (Part 2)
Vermillion, S.D. - Since the DakotaDome opened its doors 30 years ago, there have been thousands of Coyote student-athletes who have called the Dome their home. While each athlete has played a role in the history of Coyote athletics, some have risen to become the best athletes to have competed in the Dome. These athletes have qualities like passion, dedication and work ethic in common, but when asked about the key to their success, each person mentioned the support of the team. Without the strength of the team behind them, their individual achievements would not have been as meaningful. The power of USD Athletics, though highlighted by individual performances, is in team unity. The following Coyotes have been selected as the top athletes in their sports. They represent not only themselves, but also the great teams and coaches behind them.
Men’s Swimming and Diving
Justin Devlin (1997-2000) - Justin Devlin became the first Coyote swimmer to win an individual national title when he won the 200 breaststroke at the 2000 NCAA Division II Swimming and Diving Championships. An eight-time All-American, Devlin also placed second in the 200 breaststroke at the 1999 NCAA Championships. In his career, Devlin won four North Central Conference individual titles, set two conference meet records, and was part of the only two USD men’s swimming and diving teams to win NCC team titles (1997 and 1999). He still holds USD records in the 100-yard breaststroke, 200-yard breaststroke and 200-meter breaststroke and the NCC record for the 200-yard breaststroke. Devlin is currently an emergency-room doctor in Philadelphia, Pa.
Shad Durham (1997-2000) - Shad Durham became the first Coyote diver to win an individual national title when he won the three-meter diving at the 2000 NCAA Division II Swimming and Diving Championships. Durham also took third place in the one-meter diving at the same meet. “[Winning the national title] was one of the greatest moments of my young adult life,” Durham said. To add to the excitement, teammate Justin Devlin won the 200 breaststroke right before Durham’s win, leading the Coyotes to a third-place team finish, which is the highest placing in school history. “I appreciate our third place team finish so much because no one saw it coming,” Durham said. A four-time All-American and three-time honorable mention All-American, Durham became the first Coyote to be named NCC Diver of the Year in 1999 after winning both boards. Durham also played a key role in USD’s NCC team titles in 1997 and 1999. Durham said he came to USD because he wanted to be part of a winning team. “When I got to USD, I was amazed at the camaraderie of the team,” he said. Durham currently holds the USD school record for one-meter 11 dives and lives in Colorado.
Women’s Swimming and Diving
Jill Smolczyk (2004-08) - After surgery for a torn labrum took her out of nearly eight months of training, Jill Smolczyk became the first Coyote woman to win an individual national title in swimming and diving when she won the one-meter diving at the 2008 NCAA Division II Championships. After finishing second in the three-meter diving at the same meet, Smolczyk also became the first Coyote to be named NCAA Division II Women’s Diver of the Year. “Winning one-meter was so special because it meant that all the hard work of training and rehabilitation had paid off,” Smolczyk said. “It was so exciting to share the moment with my teammates, coaches, and family.” A six-time All-American, Smolczyk won four North Central Conference diving titles during her career and was named NCC Women’s Diver of the Year in 2007 and 2008. She still owns three USD school records. “Coming to USD to dive was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. I couldn’t have asked for better coaches and teammates,” Smolczyk said. As a senior, Smolczyk was selected to receive a prestigious NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship and was a finalist for the 2008 NCAA Woman of the Year award. Smolczyk is currently pursuing a degree in physical therapy at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, in Omaha, Neb.
Leita Rolfe (2004-08) - At the 2008 NCAA Division II Swimming and Diving Championships, Leita Rolfe tied the highest individual national finish by a USD woman by placing second in the 400 Individual Medley. Throughout her career, Rolfe earned seven All-America honors and 12 honorable mention All-America honors, and also won six NCC titles. In 2008, Rolfe was named NCC Co-Swimmer of the Meet at the conference championship. She owns four individual school records (200 freestyle, 200 breaststroke, 200 and 400 IM) and three relay school records (200 and 400 medley relays and 800 freestyle relay). Rolfe also ranks in USD’s top 10 all-time in six other events. Rolfe is currently the aquatics director for the school and recreation districts of Sheridan, Wyo.
Women’s Track and Field
Stephanie Gebhart (2004-08) - During her career at USD, Stephanie Gebhart set a school record by earning 21 All-America honors, including claiming six All-America awards each of her final three years of college. In 2005, Gebhart set the South Dakota state collegiate mark in the 400 meters by placing second at the 2005 NCAA Division II Outdoor Track and Field Championships with a time of 53.59. Gebhart placed third in the 400 meters three times at national meets and was part of the distance medley relay that placed second at the 2008 NCAA Division II Indoor Championships. At North Central Conference Championships, Gebhart won seven individual titles. She owns the USD outdoor record for the 400 meters (53.59) and was part of three record-setting relay teams. “The race I remember most was when we broke the school and state record in the 4x400 meter relay at the 2006 outdoor nationals. We’d been trying all season and everything finally came together. Megan [Reifenrath], Kassy [Laber], and Heidi [Muellenburg] all had the race of their lives. When we heard our time of 3:40.9, we went crazy. Although we got fourth, it felt like we’d won the race,” Gebhart said. As a senior, Gebhart was named to the Academic All-America second team and earned a prestigious NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship. “I chose USD because the team had a bond that I had not seen on other teams. Also, Coach Huber’s philosophy of being a student first and then an athlete was important to me,” Gebhart said. Gebhart is currently doing her Physician’s Assistant rotations through USD. She will graduate in December of 2010.
Elena Swan(1995-98) - A 13-time All-American, Elena Swan is the only USD woman to win two national titles at the same meet when she won the long jump and triple jump at the 1998 NCAA Division II Indoor National Championships, leading the Coyotes to a second-place team finish. At the end of the 1998 outdoor season, Swan was named the USTFCCA Division II National Female Outdoor Athlete of the Year. In 1997, she was the runner-up in both the heptathlon and the long jump at the NCAA Outdoor National Championships. Swan, a 13-time individual NCC Champion, held eight school records at the end of her eligibility, five of which still stand today. Today, Swan is a mother of two and works as an educational consultant in California.
Men’s Track and Field
Steve Gordon (1996-98) - Steve Gordon became the first USD men’s track and field athlete to win back-to-back individual NCAA DII national titles when he won the triple jump at both the 1997 and 1998 NCAA Division II Indoor Track and Field Championships. His winning mark of 53-7 at the 1997 championships set the national meet record. Led by Gordon’s title in the triple jump and third place finish in the long jump, the Coyotes finished third at the 1997 Indoor Championships, which was the best finish by a team in school history. Gordon also claimed second place at the 1998 outdoor nationals in the triple jump. Gordon was a five-time All-American for the Coyotes. In 1998, Gordon was the second-ranked triple jump performer in all NCAA divisions. A seven-time North Central Conference individual champion, Gordon was named the North Central Regional Male Outdoor Athlete of the Year and also named the DII National Male Indoor Athlete of the Year in 1998. He still owns USD’s triple jump records. Gordon lives in Omaha, Neb., where he is a graphic designer and high school track and field coach.
Lionel McPhaull (1994-97) - Lionel McPhaull was a 10-time All-America track and field athlete for the Coyotes. He was the 400-meters runner-up at the 1997 NCAA Division II Indoor National Championships and also led the 4x400-meter relay to fourth to earn National Male Athlete-of-the-Year honors from the USTFCCCA. His strong finishes also led the Coyotes to a third place finish at the 1997 indoor championships, which was the best finish by a team in school history. “Our third place team finish was the biggest accomplishment I had attained because it was my first success as part of a team. [The team’s success] was much more beneficial than the success I achieved individually,” McPhaull said. He added that sharing the achievement with fellow Coyote Steve Gordon, a childhood friend and teammate, only added to the excitement. McPhaull was a 13-time North Central Conference champion and was one of only seven NCC athletes to win the same event four times at the indoor conference championships, after he claimed the 400-meter title every year he competed. McPhaull holds individual USD records in the 400 meters and was part of two record holding relay teams. “The best thing about my career at USD was the relationships I built with my coaches. Coach Gottsleben’s honesty, genuineness and willingness to stand by me are the reasons I succeeded at USD,” McPhaull said. McPhaull lives in Omaha, Neb., and works for State Farm Insurance.
Volleyball
Amber Kobus (2005-08) - In 2007, Amber Kobus was named the NCC Defensive Player of the Year for the second-straight season, marking just the second time in NCC history that a player earned consecutive defensive player of the year honors. “I was surprised the first time (I received the award), but I was even more shocked the second time. There were a lot of good liberos in the conference,” Kobus said. She helped USD finish with an overall record of 46-13 over the last two seasons of her career, as the 23 wins each season marked the most wins in school history. Kobus said that experience was a main factor in the team’s success. “Our players really matured in the off season and our team chemistry on and off the court helped us work together better on the court,” Kobus said. Kobus became the school record holder for career digs as she finished with 2,019. Though recruited as a setter, Kobus became the libero for the Coyote midway through her freshman year. She also finished ranked second in career service aces with 155.Kobus earned many accolades as she was named Great West Conference (GWC) Player of the Week three times and was awarded GWC Athlete of the Month honors in 2008. She set the single-season record for digs in consecutive season (2006, 2007) with 615 and 616. Kobus is currently the student assistant coach for the Coyotes and will graduate from USD in May of 2010.
Becky Olson (2000-03) - Becky Olson, USD’s all-time leader in career kills (1, 450), became the first Coyote to be named North Central Conference’s Most Valuable Player in 2003. Olson was also named All-NCC as a junior and earned honorable mention laurels as a sophomore, becoming the first player in school history to be awarded first-team honors twice. As a senior, Olson led the Coyotes in kills, attacks, and hitting percentage. She also ranks in the top five of USD’s career leaders in attack attempts, kills per game, service aces, total blocks, and digs.
Women’s Basketball
Mandy Koupal (2001-04) - Mandy Koupal ranks as one of the greatest student-athletes in school history. She finished as USD’s career leader in scoring with 2,142 points, while playing only three seasons for the Coyotes. She also owns the top three single-season scoring marks (806, 740, 596) and is the only player in NCC history to win three straight NCC MVP honors. Koupal led the team in blocked shots, rebounding, scoring, and field goal percentage each of her three years with USD, averaging 24.4 points per game as a senior. As a Coyote, Koupal posted 15 30-point games, with a career high of 40 points versus Augustana in 2003. A three-time All-American, Koupal was a two-time national player of the year and a two-time Academic All-American. Koupal is currently in her second season as graduate assistant coach for USD’s women’s basketball team and is pursuing her master’s degree in Educational Administration.
Jeana Hoffman (2006-2008)- In 2008, after an outstanding senior season where she averaged 17.6 points per game, Jeana Hoffman became the fifth Coyote to earn All-America honors. She was also named Most Valuable Player of the North Central Conference and MVP for the NCC’s postseason tournament. As a senior, Hoffman guided the Coyotes to the 2008 NCAA Division II national title game, leading the team in scoring and three-point field goals. “After we won the semi-final game, it was initially overwhelming thinking about what we had done and how far we had come. And in the title game, the crowd support was incredible. It was a cool feeling, knowing that everyone was cheering for us,” Hoffman said. Hoffman holds the single-season record for three-point field goals made with 127 and is ranked second in career three-point field goals made with 198 in only two seasons with the Coyotes. She scored a career high of 31 points versus Adams State in 2007. Hoffman was also named NCC Newcomer of the Year in 2007. “At USD, our team had such a family feel. Everyone was dedicated to success. We all wanted the same thing,” Hoffman said. Hoffman currently lives in Sioux Falls, S.D., and works at the Good Samaritan Center. She and her sister Jenna will play semi-professional basketball in Wisconsin this summer.
Men’s Basketball
Turner Trofholz (2002-06) - One of the most decorated men’s basketball players in USD history, Turner Trofholz is one of only two Coyotes to earn two All-America honors. As a senior, he became the first player in school and conference history to be named NABC National Player of the Year and also earned his second-straight North Central Conference Most Valuable Player honor. “Winning the NCC tournament [in 2005] and going on to the Sweet Sixteen were great accomplishments. But one game that stands out was my first ever NCC game in 2003. We ended up beating North Dakota when Josh Mueller hit a buzzer beater three-pointer. That was my welcoming to the NCC,” Trofholz said. Trofholz is ranked second in USD’s all-time career rebounds with 917 and is the third all-time leading scorer with 1,931 career points. He scored a career-high 42 points vs. Nebraska-Kearney in 2005 and led USD to three consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances (2004-2006). “The team chemistry and unbelievable coaching staff at USD made me successful. Without my teammates, I wouldn’t have been able to do anything,” Trofholz said. He was also selected to the Academic All-NCC squad in 2005 and 2006.Trofholz and his wife live in Grand Island, Neb., where he teaches high school physical education and is the assistant coach on the boy’s basketball team.
Tim Hatchett (1986-90) - USD’s all-time career leader in points (2,280), Tim Hatchett also holds the North Central Conference record for career points (1,402). At USD, Hatchett still holds five individual records. In addition to career points, he tops the list of single-season points (787), career free throws made (502) and single season and career field goals made with 308 and 881, respectively. He is also ranked second in career blocked shots (182), and third in career rebounds (770) and steals (208). In his career, Hatchett played nine 30-plus point games, with a career high of 38 versus Mankato State in 1989. He was named to the All-NCC squad twice, and as a senior in 1990, led the Coyotes to their first NCAA tournament appearance since 1972.
Football
Wesley Beschorner (2002-05) - During his career at USD, All-American Wesley Beschorner set 33 school records and was the first player in school history to be named a finalist for the Harlon Hill Trophy. “It was very flattering to be nominated for the Harlon Hill Award because there were so many talented players. But I was lucky to have had help from some great teammates. Without my team, I would have had no chance at being nominated,” Beschorner said. In his career, Beschorner threw for 6,240 yards and 64 TD passes. His 64 touchdown passes, a school record, are nearly double the previous record. In 2005 he set the USD single season total offense record with 3,500 yards and averaged 318.2 yards of total offense per game. Beschorner also racked up 23 rushing touchdowns, giving him a school-record 87 total career touchdowns. “The game I remember most was my last game in the Dome, in 2005, when we beat North Dakota for a share of the NCC title. We hadn’t beaten UND or won the NCC title in a long time, so it really meant a lot,” Beschorner said. In a 59-14 win over Nebraska-Omaha in 2005, he became the first Coyote to record 500 or more yards of total offense in a game (519). As a senior in 2005, Beschorner was named Most Valuable Player in the North Central Conference. Beschorner said that USD provided him with great opportunities to build relationships with the coaches, administration, and community. “The relationships I made while at USD really made the difference for me. I don’t think that would have been possible at other schools,” Beschorner said. Beschorner currently lives in Vermillion, S.D., and is the offensive coordinator at USD.
Stefan Logan (2003-06) - A two-time All-American, Stefan Logan is USD’s all-time leading rusher. Logan holds an NCAA record for most rushing yards in a quarter (184 on seven carries), and shares the NCAA record for most 100-yard rushing games with 34. Across his career, Logan complied 5, 958 yards rushing, averaging 7.4 yards per carry and 132.4 yards per game. Logan is also USD’s career leader in all-purpose yards with 7,859. He was one of only four players to be named to the All-North Central Conference team all four years of his career and was chosen as the league’s Most Valuable Player in 2006. In 2009, Logan played a standout first season in the NFL as return specialist for the Pittsburgh Steelers, breaking the Steelers’ single-season kickoff-return yardage record and earning a spot on the Pro Bowl ballot.
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