An Upgrade for Pierre Athletics

The Pierre Educational Foundation has played a vital role in helping the Pierre School District launch its new Sports Marketing Program. Once up and running this fall, the program will generate a new source of ongoing revenue for athletic programs at T.F. Riggs High School. The program will allow athletic coaches and the district the ability to purchase some items off of their “wish lists” as well as replace items that are outdated or damaged. As a non-profit organization,

New Daktronics signs and scoreboards at Hollister Field and T.F. Riggs Gymnasium. Angel sponsor, BankWest paid for the new equipment.

PEF is helping with the financial operation of the program. It is estimated that the first year of the program will raise approximately $60,000.

Aesthetic improvements and upgrades in the school’s facilities have already begun. The program’s angel sponsor, BankWest, purchased the signs and scoreboards that have been placed in the main Riggs gym, its auxiliary gym and at Hollister Field. Pierre is unique in this area because many schools have needed to use the initial funds raised to pay off equipment.

Bankwest signed a 10-year agreement to be the sole angel sponsor. The anchor sponsors are Linn Medical Clinic and Boyd Conzemius Agency Inc. Founding sponsors are Midwest Construction & Development; Delta Dental; Olson Plumbing; Stulken, Petersen, Lingle and Walti LLP; Keller Electric; Burke Real Estate; and Olinger, Lovald, McCahren and Reimers PC. The Sports Marketing Agreement Program bottler is Coca-Cola and the exclusive radio rights belong to Dakota Radio Group. Capital Motors also participates with the program as an advertising partner.

New Daktronics signs and scoreboards at Hollister Field and T.F. Riggs Gymnasium. Angel sponsor, BankWest paid for the new equipment.

In addition, the program will allow coaches to focus on their sport, rather than raising funds to cover expenses. Coaches still have the option of fundraising, however, the new income takes the pressure off and allows students to focus on their academics and activities. The Pierre Sports Marketing Program committee will determine where the funds go and will eventually decide what items may be purchased through the program.

All athletic coaches must complete a detailed request form listing the items they wish to purchase.

For more information on the Pierre Sports Marketing Program, contact Riggs Athletic Director, Dan Whalen at (605) 773-7350 or daniel.whalen@k12.sd.us.