Dakota State breaks ground on new Indoor Athletics Facility

October 28, 2026

MADISON, S.D. - Dakota State University celebrated another major milestone in transforming its athletics facilities Tuesday, Oct. 27, with a groundbreaking ceremony for the new Indoor Athletics Facility, a project that will provide year-round training and competition opportunities for Trojan student-athletes and serve the greater Madison community.

University leaders, donors, coaches, student-athletes, and community members gathered at the construction site adjacent to the Dan Beacom Track and Field to mark the start of construction.

The 129,241-square-foot indoor dome represents Phase 2 of the Trojans Unite Building Champions campaign, following the completion of the Beacom PREMIER Complex. The facility is expected to be completed in August 2027.

DSU President John Ballard reflected on the pioneering spirit that helped establish Madison and Dakota State, noting that the university continues to build upon that tradition of innovation and progress.

"This facility represents more than an investment in athletics. It is an investment in our students, in our university, and the future of the entire Madison community," Ballard said. "It will create new opportunities, it will truly strengthen our ability to compete, and will help us continue attracting talented students."

Ballard also thanked the donors, alumni, state leaders, and supporters who have helped advance the university's vision.

"At Dakota State, we're really proud of our history, but we're not content to stand still," he said. "We will continue to push boundaries, pursue new possibilities, and as we do today, we'll continue to break new ground for generations to come."

A lasting investment in Trojan Athletics

Jill Ruhd, DSU's vice president for Institutional Advancement and CEO of the DSU Foundation, opened the ceremony by recognizing the generosity and partnerships that have made the project possible.

"When we launched the Trojans Unite campaign, we had an ambitious vision for the future of DSU Athletics," Ruhd said. "With the Beacom PREMIER Complex and now the groundbreaking of our new indoor athletics facility, that vision continues to become reality."

Ruhd also recognized the late philanthropist T. Denny Sanford, whose generosity helped transform Dakota State's campus, along with the many other donors and partners who have supported the university.

"At the DSU Foundation, our work is about connecting generosity with opportunity, and this facility is another tremendous example of that mission and will benefit generations of Trojans to come," she said.

Miles Beacom '81, a member of the South Dakota Board of Regents and CEO of PREMIER Bankcard, spoke about Sanford's commitment to Dakota State and the remarkable changes the university has experienced over the past decade.

Miles Beacom '81 speaks at Tuesday's groundbreaking ceremony for the Indoor Athletic Center.

"Today is a huge day for Dakota State. It will go down in history as another game changer here," Beacom said.

A former Dakota State student-athlete, Beacom recalled running winter workouts on the tile floors of a local high school because of limited indoor training options.

He emphasized that the new dome will give athletes more opportunities to develop their skills during South Dakota's challenging winters, strengthen recruitment, and benefit the Madison community.

Student-athletes look toward the future

For current student-athletes, the new facility promises to make a significant difference in their daily training and competitive preparation.

Oliver Tordsen, a sophomore on Dakota State's track and field team who competes in throwing events, spoke on behalf of student-athletes during the ceremony.

DSU student-athlete Oliver Tordsen speaks at Tuesday's ceremony.

"Along with helping all the athletes here at Dakota State, it'll be great to have this facility to have a year-round place for the track and field program to sprint, jump, and throw," Tordsen said.

He also highlighted the facility's long-term impact on recruiting future Trojans and providing additional opportunities for the Madison community.

"We can host youth events, host local camps, and have a gathering place year-round for the Madison community," Tordsen said.

DSU Athletics Director Bud Postma echoed those sentiments, calling the facility an important step toward building stronger athletics programs and giving student-athletes the resources they need to succeed.

"The Indoor Athletic Facility will be a game changer for all athletic programs here at Dakota State," Postma said. "It will allow student-athletes to practice, train, play, and develop year-round, regardless of the South Dakota weather, while giving our coaches another valuable tool to build successful programs and recruit our student-athletes."

Postma also emphasized that the people who use the facility will ultimately determine its success.

"Buildings alone do not create success. People do," he said. "Our goal is to fill this facility with hard work, outstanding coaches, great teammates, memories that'll last a lifetime."

Building for the future

The Indoor Athletics Facility will measure 499 feet long and 259 feet wide, reaching 85 feet at its highest point. It is designed to accommodate year-round training and competition in sports including football, soccer, baseball, softball, and track and field, as well as emerging activities such as drone racing.

A rendering of the completed Indoor Athletic Facility.

An approximately 6,300-square-foot accessory building will include locker rooms, offices, storage areas, restrooms, concessions, and a lobby. A separate storage garage will provide additional space.

Beyond collegiate athletics, the facility will create opportunities to host tournaments, youth sports programs, high school competitions, camps, and community events, bringing additional visitors to Dakota State and Madison.

The facility is part of a broader vision to transform DSU's athletics infrastructure through the Trojans Unite Building Champions campaign. Future phases include a new arena with seating for 2,000 spectators for basketball and volleyball, plus additional outdoor baseball and softball facilities.

After the remarks, university leaders, donors, student-athletes, and special guests joined the ceremonial groundbreaking. A reception followed at the Beacom PREMIER Complex.

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