The South Dakota Coyotes will be hunting down opponents inside the DakotaDome on a new football field in 2024. The school announced it was replacing its artificial surface with a new synthetic turf made by AstroTruf.
The Coyotes have called the DakotaDome home since 1979 and it has been renovated numerous times since the turn of the century. In 2001, a steel roof was installed to prevent collapses caused by snow. An additional renovation finished in 2012 saw the installation of a synthetic surface by AstroTurf. Extensive renovations were finished in 2020, which included new entrances, a locker room, and football offices. The DakotaDome was also the home for USD’s swimming & diving program until 2024, both basketball teams until 2016, and the volleyball program until 2015.
South Dakota is at least the eighth FCS team to replace its football field this offseason. Albany, Bucknell, Mercer, Mississippi Valley State, North Carolina Central, Tennessee State, and VMI also announced the installation of a new playing surface this off-season. VMI is the only one that is opting for a grass playing surface.
The new field will see its debut on Thursday, August 29 when Northern State from the the NCAA Division II Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference goes to Vermillion. The Coyotes also have home games against Drake (9/21), Southern Illinois (9/28), Northern Iowa (10/12), Indiana State (11/9), and North Dakota State (11/23).
Photo Credit to the University of South Dakota Athletics
