Aug. 19, 2025

The largest gift in the history of USD athletics will help build a track at the University of South Dakota.

Philanthropist Denny Sanford has donated $20 million to build an indoor track and field facility named in honor of the Bill and Jill Gassen family.

Pending approval from the South Dakota Board of Regents, the facility will be called the Gassen Family Fieldhouse.

“I want to thank Mr. Sanford for this transformative gift to Coyote Athletics, and we are thrilled to honor amazing Coyotes in Bill and Jill Gassen,” USD athletic director Jon Schemmel said in a statement.

“Not only will this gift build a world-class indoor track facility, but it will also create an entire new home for our track and field programs, allowing us to turn the DakotaDome into a turf-down facility. All 430 of our student-athletes and the community of Vermillion will benefit tremendously from this investment.”

Bill Gassen is the CEO of Sanford Health. Both he and his wife, Jill, competed in track and field while students at USD. Bill Gassen also was a member of the football team.

“Bill Gassen has demonstrated remarkable leadership as the president and CEO of Sanford Health,” Sanford said in a statement. “I am pleased to honor Bill and his wife, Jill, with this gift to the University of South Dakota.”

In a statement, the Gassen praised the mentorship they received from their USD coaches for shaping their lives, along with their fellow student-athletes, while thanking Sanford for his “unparalleled generosity.”

“Mr. Sanford’s enduring commitment to investing in South Dakota has made it the greatest place in the world to pursue one’s academic dreams, thrive as a student-athlete and establish deep roots,” they said.

“We are thrilled about the opportunities the Gassen Family Fieldhouse will create for future generations of Coyotes. This facility will not only elevate the student-athlete experience but also strengthen the legacy of excellence and community that defines USD. Go Yotes!”

The new indoor facility will feature a 200-meter banked track with a pair of perimeter warmup lanes, plus a 60-meter straightaway. It also will feature a pair of long jump/triple jump pits, two pole vaulting stations, two high jumps over straightaways and a pair of throwing cages.

The venue will feature elevated seating for 2,000 spectators and a viewing concourse that opens to the track and field events below.

The new home of USD track and field also will include coach offices, a recruiting lounge, a training and nutrition center and locker rooms.

“This new indoor track facility will be a game-changer for our student-athletes. Having access to a world-class, 200-meter banked track, along with dedicated locker rooms, lounges and coaching spaces, ensures that our Coyotes can train, compete and recover at the highest level right here on campus,” said Lucky Huber, director of USD track and field, and cross country.

“More than just a building, this facility represents our commitment to giving students the resources they need to reach their full potential — athletically, academically and personally.”

The new facility also will benefit the Coyote student-athletes of the softball and women’s tennis programs with batting cages and practice tennis courts.

“For future Coyotes, this facility shows our commitment to giving you the best. You’ll train on the same caliber of track used at NCAA and World Championship meets in a space built specifically for our athletes,” Huber said. “When you choose USD, you’re choosing an environment where you can chase big goals, develop as a student-athlete and prepare to compete against the very best.”

The total project is estimated at $45 million to $50 million. Assuming fundraising continues, the plan is to open in 2028 or early 2029.