Stories
Join us at 5:30 p.m. on the Friday of Dakota Days for a signature celebration on the James W. and Colette Abbott Court inside the Sanford Coyote Sports Center.
This hallmark Dakota Days gathering is offered at no cost to guests and will feature curated refreshments and elevated dining options. While the event is free to attend, RSVPs and table reservations are appreciated and can be made here. All table requests will be confirmed in advance.
2025 Alumni Achievement Award and Legacy Family of the Year recipients include:
Travis Rhoades '07 - Young Alumni
Travis Rhoades, a 2007 17³Ô¹ÏÍø Beacom School of Business graduate, and his wife, Kristen (USD ’07), opened their first Scooter’s Coffee in Sioux Falls in 2013. Today, they own 16 locations across southeastern 17³Ô¹ÏÍø, including Vermillion. Travis leads his businesses as active supporters of community organizations such as The Foster Network, Charlie’s Cupboard, USD Dakotathon, Sioux Falls CASA and local youth sports. The Rhoades family lives in Sioux Falls with their two sons and are proud Coyote fans, often spotted in the DakotaDome on football Saturdays.
Doyle Estes '71 - USD Legacy
Doyle Estes, a native of Wall, 17³Ô¹ÏÍø, is a longtime supporter of higher education in the state. He earned a political science degree from USD in 1971 and a law degree in 1975, later completing an LL.M. in taxation from NYU. He began his career as an assistant attorney general under William Janklow and later built a successful career in law and real estate development in Rapid City. A Lambda Chi Alpha alumnus, Estes remains active with the fraternity and the W.O. Farber Center for Civic Leadership. He and his wife, Kathryn Johnson, live near Hill City.
Bruce Nolop '72 - Professional Achievement
A Mobridge High School graduate, Bruce Nolop earned a political science degree from USD in 1972, graduating summa cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa. At USD, he was student body president and active in The Volante, Delta Tau Delta and more. He later earned JD and MBA degrees from Stanford. Nolop enjoyed a nearly 50-year career in corporate finance, serving as CFO, investment banker and board member. He and his wife, Susan, live in New York City and have two sons and three granddaughters.
Dennis Daugaard '75 - Public Service
Dennis Daugaard grew up on a dairy farm and earned a government degree from USD before receiving a law degree from Northwestern. After a career in banking and nonprofit leadership, he served six years in the 17³Ô¹ÏÍø Senate, eight as lieutenant governor and two terms as governor. Elected in 2010 and re-elected by a historic margin, Daugaard focused on economic growth, fiscal responsibility and job creation. He and his wife, Linda, live near Dell Rapids.
The Riter Family - Legacy Family of the Year
The Riter family’s USD legacy began nearly a century ago and continues through four generations of proud alumni.
In the late 1920s, Charles and Lillian Riter moved to Sioux Falls to give their five children better access to education. Two daughters graduated from USD before the Great Depression pushed the family to a farm near Vermillion, where Charles raised dairy cows so his sons could stay in school.
R.C. Riter earned his USD law degree in 1935, served as assistant attorney general and practiced law in Pierre for more than 50 years. A devoted supporter of USD, he helped found the State Bar’s USD Law School Committee. He and his wife, Jane, a fellow alum, raised three USD graduates: Charles, Paula and Robert.
That legacy continued with grandchildren Shannon, Lindsey and Matthew—all proud Coyotes. The Riter family’s dedication to USD spans academics, athletics and philanthropy, reflecting a true legacy of loyalty and service.