BROOKINGS, S.D. – The 2026 Jackrabbit Athletic Scholarship Auction delivered another historic moment for South Dakota State Athletics as the annual event surpassed $3 million for the first time.
The JASA initially concluded with $2.96 million raised – already a new record – but the generosity of Jackrabbit Nation continued beyond auction night. Additional commitments made following the event pushed the final total over $3 million, increasing the new record in support of student-athlete scholarships. A two-for-one matching gift provided by an anonymous donor maximized the impact of every individual contribution. The 2026 JASA marked the 10th consecutive year the auction has exceeded $1 million raised and was a 50% increase from the final number in 2023.
Support for the JASA begins well before auction night, with planning and donor engagement starting in January. Support through event and table sponsorships, underwriting auction items and assistance offsetting the cost of hosting the event, are all keys to a night that has grown into one of the premier fundraising events in collegiate athletics.
More than 1,000 supporters attended the JASA in person at the Sanford-Jackrabbit Athletic Complex this year, while many others participated remotely. Donors both on site and online bid on hundreds of silent auction items and those in attendance competed for 30 live auction items during the program. Fans also had the opportunity to purchase buy-it-now items at a fixed price. Among this year’s featured items were pieces of the original artificial turf from Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium, which generated significant interest from alumni and longtime fans. Many donors also made outright financial contributions without receiving an item in return. These direct gifts are a critical part of the auction’s success showing Jackrabbit Nation’s belief in investing in the futures of SDSU student-athletes.
“Jackrabbit Nation is special,” said SDSU Director of Athletics Justin Sell. “Reaching $3 million for the first time speaks volumes about how much our community cares about supporting our terrific student-athletes not only in competition, but also in the pursuit of their dreams beyond South Dakota State.”
The funds raised at the 2026 JASA equate to approximately 142 full tuition scholarships at SDSU and will cover nearly 60% of the university’s total student-athlete educational expenses for the 2025-26 academic year.
-GoJacks.com-