USD Athletics announces ‘largest private family gift’

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) – A large amount of money has been gifted to the University of South Dakota athletic department.

In a news release Tuesday, USD announced former standout quarterback Scott Jones and his wife, Lisa, both USD alumni, gifted an unknown amount of money to Coyote Athletics. The news release says the gift “will also provide seven-figures” into the next phase of the DakotaDome renovations.

“I am incredibly grateful to Scott and Lisa Jones for this investment into Coyote Athletics and our football program,” USD Director of Athletics Jon Schemmel said in a news release. “They have always been leaders for us, and our student-athlete experience would not be what it is today without them. The impact of this gift resonates throughout our entire department.”

USD says the money will not only benefit the football program but other general athletic scholarships and event support.

New name for USD offensive coordinator

In addition to the gift, USD will call its offensive coordinator coaching position, the “Scott & Lisa Jones Family Offensive Coordinator” position. It’s the first coaching position to be endowed at USD.

“We would also like to thank my mom, dad, and three brothers for their help in making this a possibility. We’d also like to recognize my ’83-’87 teammates and coaches; especially the ones that have been called home to their eternal resting place with the Father,” Jones, who was a 1988 football alum and had a 21-6 record in two seasons as a starter, said in a news release.

Jones serves as the president of Maguire, Inc. based in Sioux Falls.

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