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Description area
Dates of existence
History
The Jackrabbit Stampede Rodeo is one of South Dakota State University’s oldest and most recognized athletic traditions. It originated with the founding of the SDSU Rodeo Club in October 1952, when approximately 50 students gathered in the campus Stock Judging Pavilion (now the Agricultural Heritage Museum) to organize a competitive rodeo team. Just months later, the inaugural Jackrabbit Stampede was held May 20–21, 1953, in Clear Lake, South Dakota.
Following its successful debut, the Stampede moved to Rapid City in 1954. Although the event was suspended in 1955, it resumed in 1956 and has continued annually since then, establishing itself as one of the longest-running collegiate rodeos in the region.
A pivotal relationship was formed in 1956 when the Sutton family, a prominent name in South Dakota rodeo production since 1926, began supplying livestock and equipment to the SDSU rodeo program. That partnership deepened over the decades and became foundational to the program’s development. With assistance from the Suttons, the Rodeo Club constructed its first on-campus arena in 1958 using salvaged materials and donated chutes.
During the 1960s, SDSU established designated Rodeo Grounds west of the Animal Science Arena, which served as a practice and event venue for many years. While competition eventually transitioned to indoor facilities to accommodate weather and audience needs, the grounds remain an active outdoor practice space.
The Jackrabbit Stampede is held annually each spring and draws participants from across the Great Plains Region. The rodeo is sanctioned by the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association (NIRA), and SDSU competes regularly against other universities in South Dakota, North Dakota, Nebraska, Iowa, and Wisconsin. The Stampede is considered one of the premier events in the region and has been named NIRA’s Great Plains Region Rodeo of the Year multiple times.
Over the years, the SDSU rodeo program has grown to include full-time coaching staff, scheduled indoor and outdoor practices, travel reimbursement, and scholarships for student-athletes. More than 1,200 students have participated in the program, including several qualifiers for the College National Finals Rodeo (CNFR) and National Finals Rodeo (NFR).
Today, the Jackrabbit Stampede remains a central tradition at South Dakota State University, combining competitive excellence with deep-rooted community and alumni support. Its enduring partner