Charlie Coyote with a USD fan.

Vermillion, S.D. – With the fall sports season just weeks away, the University of South Dakota Athletic Department is encouraging fans to join the excitement by attending the Coyote Kick-Off Auction & Dinner on Aug. 4 at the Ramkota Inn (Rushmore Ballroom) in Sioux Falls.

The annual gathering begins with a social hour at 5:30 p.m. followed by dinner at 6:30 p.m. and a live auction to follow. Only those in attendance will have the opportunity to bid on exclusive items such as one-of-kind Coyote artwork, a USD football care basket and travel packages for Coyote road basketball games. Tickets are $75 per individual or $125 per couple, while fans under 35 can purchase individual tickets for $40 or a set for $75.

This year’s featured speaker will be former USD football coach Joe Salem, but attendees will also have the chance to hear from new USD Athletic Director David Sayler. Salem coached the Coyotes to three North Central Conference titles in the early 1970’s, while Sayler will take control of USD Athletics in the days prior to the dinner. Several Coyote coaches and student-athletes will also be in attendance.

As a lead-up to the event, the Coyotes are also hosting an online auction which commenced today. Numerous fun and unique items, including sideline passes to the USD-Minnesota game on Sept. 11 and an autographed Vikings’ Ben Leber jersey, will be auctioned off to help raise money for student-athlete scholarships. Fans can bid on more than 60 items until the auction closes on Aug. 2 and pick up their winnings on Aug. 4.

Supporters wishing to donate an item to the auction or purchase tickets can contact Assistant Director of Development Mark Maturi at (605) 624-5712 or mark.maturi@usdfoundation.org.