"Feel the Rush, and Experience the Power" of Dakota State University athletics! Dakota State competes at the NAIA level and is a member of the Dakota Athletic Conference (DAC). The University offers football, baseball, softball, volleyball, cheerleading, and men's and women's basketball, cross country, and track and field.

One measure of the success of Dakota State's athletic programs is its extensive participation in both DAC and NAIA post-season play. In the 2004-2005 academic year, the men's basketball team finished 2nd in the Conference. The women's basketball team made it to the semi-finals of the conference tournament. The baseball team finished second in the Conference, and advanced to the Super Regional Tournament. Dakota State athletes also received individual athletic honors in 2004-'05, with 14 All-Conference athletes, 1 All-American (for football), 7 Academic All-Americans, and 52 DAC Scholar-Athletes.

DSU teams also have a long history of excellence. In recent years:

• The 2003 women's basketball team qualified for the NAIA National Tournament for the third time in four years.
• The 2003 men's baseball team won its Regional Tournament and advanced to "Super Regional."
• The 2003 women's softball team reached its Regional Tournament for the second straight year.

Thanks to DSU's size, about 2,300 students, it's easier for students to compete as part of an intercollegiate athletic team.

In a national survey DSU students said they were significantly more satisfied than students at other public four-year universities:

• Males and females have equal opportunities to participate in intercollegiate athletics.
• DSU provides students extensive access to a variety of intramural activities.

Another recent survey showed that DSU freshmen are significantly more likely than freshmen at other South Dakota schools to have exercised or participated in physical fitness activities. A big reason for this is the high quality recreation and fitness facilities DSU provides students access to. For more information on fitness and athletic opportunities, please see the DSU Athletics website.