Students, alumni and family members crowded the stands at the DakotaDome tonight during the first football game against St. Ambrose University.
The Coyotes slammed their opponent 52-0. Check out Sports editor Matt Dahlseid’s report later tonight.
Photos by Molly O’Connor, The Volante.
The largest freshmen class in university history was aided today by one of the largest groups of student volunteers housing officials say they have ever seen.
More than 175 students volunteered to help move in incoming freshmen, said Kirsten Compary, acting dean of students. Compary said more members of the Greek community helped this year compared to years past.
The day seemed to go by smoothly, thanks to a new comprehensive plan created by university officials and the Department of Public Safety. The plan included a color-coded check in at the DakotaDome and designated routes to eliminate congestion on roads filled with construction.
Check back with VolanteOnline.com throughout the week for more USD news and updates.
Lines were long at tonight’s tailgating event before USD’s first football appearance as a Division 1 university.
Nearly 500 people lined up to eat the burgers, chips and beans provided for free by Aramark. As students checked in earlier today at the DakotaDome, university staff and volunteers handed out two tickets for the football and two tickets for the tailgating party for each car.
In addition to the incoming freshmen and their families, USD students of every age- from seniors to senior citizens- gathered to cheer on the ‘Yotes in their probable victory against St. Ambrose University.
The USD Marching Coyotes could be heard warming up from the field across in front of the Fine Arts Center as students settled into the shady corners of the lawn. A DJ from the Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity kept the music going from 5 p.m. until kickoff.
Later tonight, local band The Kickback will play in front of the tennis courts. During half-time, Coyote Athletics will be giving out 12 credit hours of free tuition for the spring 2009 semester.
Read Justin Rust’s move-in day report and video on www.volanteonline.com.
Stay tuned to The Volante’s coverage of the game, after-party and more.
By all accounts, Move-in Day 2008 at USD has been a calm and ordered affair, making the day (at least until this moment) a success. Check-in at the Dome was relatively smooth, getting each dorm resident their packet which contained their Coyote Card (for freshmen), a checklist and their room key. No one had to get out of their cars and traffic was maintained by Vermillion Police and USD Public Safety.
A Public Safety worker helps a student find their way through check-in line at the DakotaDome.
At the dorms, all the greek houses were on hand to help unload and carry students belongings to their rooms. Many parents appreciated the help and commented about how easily it made moving their kids into the dorms.
Later today we’ll have video and an audio slide of Move-in Day 2008, and tonight we’ll have full coverage of USD’s first football game of the year.
Starting today, USD officially begins the Fall 2008 semester as students begin moving into the residence halls. The Volante will have video, photos and more on VolanteOnline.com throughout the day. But this is just the tip of the iceberg for the day. Tonight, the Coyotes turn the page and start of new chapter — division one athletics. The football team takes on St. Ambrose University at the Dome. Game begins at 7:00 p.m. and we’ll have full coverage of the tailgating, the game, and of course, the new D-I atmosphere.
It will be a busy day, and certainly a busy week for The Volante as we will do something we’ve never done before, release an all online issue of The Volante on Wednesday. Our first print issue will be Sept. 17, but as of today, and more so the third, we will have news, sports, verve, and opinion at VolanteOnline.com. Keep your eye on the Web site, as we’ll have a completely revamped site in the next couple weeks!
Welcome back my fellow Yotes! Let’s have a great year.
