SDSU Fans Ready For Game Day

by Ashley Kringen, Reporter
November 23, 2012 9:05 PM


Saturday marks a big day for South Dakota State University.  

For the first time in history, SDSU will host a playoff game against Eastern Illinois for the Division One FCS tournament. 

Not only will the Coughlin Alumni stadium benefit from the big game, so will businesses in Brookings.

Along with the excitement, comes preparations, they have to be ready to host the crowds of people that the game will attract. 

"We're scrapping together as many people as we can," said Deutsch. 

Jeremy Deutsch, the Manager of Cubby's Sports Bar & Grill said the bar has been scrambling to gather staff and stock up for the playoff game. 

"We had some people on call in case we did win and case we hosted and we have some people coming back and we definitely appreciate them adjusting their plans," said Deutsch.

Such as one of Cubby's waitresses and a SDSU student, Becky Kopfmann, who spent Thanksgiving with her family in her hometown, Wessington Springs, then rushed back to Brookings to work.

"They understood and they were glad they got to spend a couple days with me this week already," said Kopfmann.

She said she wouldn't miss an opportunity to be around Jackrabbits school pride.

"Coming to a huge school like this where everyone is so pumped makes me super excited," said Kopfmann.

Not only do bars and restaurants see a lot of traffic on big game days, so does the Children’s Museum Of South Dakota, they even dress up their dinosaurs such as Max, in Jackrabbits gear.

"You can't live in Brookings and not be a Jackrabbit fan," said Hegg. 

Suzanne Hegg, the Executive Director of the Children's Museum of South Dakota, said large events in town, impact the Museum’s attendance.

"Part of the family will go for instance to an SDSU game and the children and other parts of the family will come here," said Hegg.

Along with businesses preparing for game day, fans, such as Paul Greguson, are ready to unleash their Jackrabbits spirit in the stands.
 
"We're all high-fiving, jumping up and down and we all just have a great time," said Greguson. 

He said he believes the Jackrabbits will take the win against the Panthers. 

"Everyone in Brookings and in South Dakota is going to be very proud of the Jackrabbits," said Greguson. 

The SDSU versus USD game attracted nearly 15,000 people last weekend. 

Box office officials at Frost Arena said they don't expect that many people on Saturday due to the holiday weekend, but believe they will break the thousands. 

Kickoff is on Saturday at two p.m.