“We made a memory.”
Those words from South Dakota State University head football coach John Stiegelmeier summarized what all of Jackrabbit Nation felt after the 2022 FCS National Championship game, in which the Jacks dominated archrival North Dakota State University, 45-21.
It was a special day for Jacks fans, starting with a military flyover of four fighter jets from the 114th Fighter Wing in Sioux Falls. Two of the jets had “GO JACKS” and “EARS UP” painted on the bottom of their wing tanks for, coincidentally, the 114th meeting between SDSU and NDSU.
After the Jacks took a 31-14 lead into halftime, The Pride of the Dakotas Marching Band, fresh off its Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade performance in New York City, serenaded the fans in blue with its usual spectacular performance.
Early in the third quarter, Jacks fans were ready to celebrate. For players, coaches, fans, alumni and anyone else who donned yellow and blue in support of SDSU, the game was cathartic. The team, which had come so close so many times before, finally got it done against the school that had spoiled so many other games.
After the final whistle blew, a sea of blue flooded the field, and the party was officially on.
“Our fan support was beyond our imagination,” Stiegelmeier said. “That was so fun to see them show up.”
The sheer number of Jackrabbits fans who invaded Frisco, Texas, from all over the United States was impressive and, for some, even surprising. Matt Tollefson ’10 is the founder of Jacks Illustrated, a fan site that follows all SDSU athletic programs. Tollefson and others organized a pregame tailgate, equipped with free food and beverages courtesy of local sponsors. The turnout from Jacks fans, Tollefson said, was unbelievable.
“We had this awesome setup, and we really wanted to create a space for people to enjoy themselves before the game,” Tollefson said. “It turned out great—it was a massive, massive crowd.”
Jackrabbits support was felt throughout the Dallas area, with sporadic “Go Jacks” chants starting at bars, restaurants, hotel lobbies and airports. Among the fans, students, parents and alums at the game was a 300-plus group of former Jackrabbits football players. Organized by Ryan McKnight ’11, a former player himself and president of the Jackrabbit Football Players Association, the former players were invited by Stiegelmeier to meet with the team at the final pregame walkthrough Saturday before the game.
“I became emotional when Coach Stig reached out to the JFPA about attending the last walkthrough,” McKnight said. “It was truly an honor for us former guys to come to the practice and show our love and support to the current players and staff.”
At the end of the final walkthrough, Stiegelmeier invited all the former players onto the field for one final breakdown.
“Words cannot describe the feeling and that final breakdown,” McKnight said. “It was special.”
“Coach Stig makes a great effort making the Jackrabbits family really feel like a family,” said Mark Gronowski, SDSU’s quarterback. “When we win, everyone wins. It was so awesome to see all of JFPA at practice yesterday and how much they support us. It’s a special feeling for us, and we’re glad to do it for them, for our seniors, for our coaches and our fans.”
“Those guys who went before are important to me,” Stiegelmeier said. “When you’ve been here as long as I have, there’s some really special feelings for that group that went before these guys.”
The celebration continued back in Brookings after the mass migration back to South Dakota. SDSU Director of Athletics Justin Sell, President Barry Dunn and Stiegelmeier all spoke at a public ceremony back on campus Tuesday following the game.
“We’re winning, we’re doing great things, and we’re showcasing how great this institution is because we do it together,” Sell said to a crowd at the Sanford-Jackrabbit Athletic Complex. “In a world that chases things, that’s about individuals, that’s about conflict, there is peace and love in this room because of all of you. I hope each and every one of you, and all of our former student-athletes who helped us get to this point, take a piece of this national championship trophy, because if you do, and we come back together, there’s going to be a bunch more.”
Addison DeHaven
