SPEARFISH, S.D. – The awards continue to roll in for Black Hills State University football wide receiver, TJ Chukwurah, as on Saturday he was named the 2025 South Dakota Sportswriters Association College Male Athlete of the Year. The SDSA has recognized individuals in the Mount Rushmore State since 1954, giving out awards for sports celebrity, independent male athlete, independent female athlete, independent team, college male athlete, college men's coach, college men's team, college female athlete, college women's coach, college women's team, high school boys athlete, high school boys coach, high school boys team, high school girls athlete, high school girls coach, and high school girls team. Chukwurah's selection for college male athlete of the year marks the second time in the last three years the award has gone to a Yellow Jacket and the fourth all-time. A full list of the all-time college athlete, coach, and team of the year awards can be found below.
 
TJ CHUKWURAH | WIDE RECEIVER | REDSHIRT JUNIOR | 5-11 | 190 LBS | ARLINGTON, TEXAS | JUAN SEGUIN H.S.
Chukwurah recorded the best single season by a wide receiver in Black Hills State's NCAA Division II era, breaking records for receiving yards (1,100) and receiving touchdowns (16). He began the season with three straight 100-yard receiving games and added another three within the last five games for a total of six such games. At the end of the regular season, he remained tied for fifth in all divisions of NCAA football (FBS, FCS, DII, and DIII) with his 16 receiving touchdowns and was first in NCAA Division II. Against then No. 3/5 Grand Valley State he set career-bests of 12 receptions and 182 receiving yards, while the three receiving touchdowns matched a career-high. He is the only player in the school's DII history to have multiple three receiving touchdown games, having done so now three times and twice in 2025. He also led DII in receiving yards and was second in receiving yards per game at the conclusion of the regular season. He was the RMAC leader in receiving touchdowns, receiving yards, and receiving yards per game. Chukwurah has received First Team All-American honors from the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA), the Associated Press (AP), the Don Hansen Football Committee, the NCAA Division II Conference Commissioner's Association (D2CCA), and the Walter Camp Football Foundation. He was also named First Team All-RMAC, First Team All-Super Region 4, and was a Harlon Hill Award Super Region #4 nominee.
 
COLLEGE MALE ATHLETE
1958, Jim Daniels, South Dakota; 1959, Garney Henley, Huron; 1960, Jim Luce and John Simko, Augustana; 1961, Don Jacobsen, S.D. State; 1962, Jim Kampen, Northern State; 1963, Wayne Rasmussen, S.D. State; 1964, Jerry Schlekeway, Northern State; 1965, Tom White, Yankton; 1966, Roger Heirigs, Yankton; 1967, Gary Sandbo, Augustana; 1968, Doug Neuharth, Northern State; 1969, Mike Savoy, Black Hills State; 1970, Don Trapp, S.D. State; 1971, Gary Evjen, Northern State; 1972, Rich Andrezejewski, Northern State; 1973, Garry Bentley, S.D. State; 1974, Doug Schlepp, S.D. Tech; 1975, Chris Miller, Dakota Wesleyan; 1976, Rick Jensen, S.D. State; 1977, DeeJay Donlin, Augustana; 1978, Steve Brown, S.D. State; 1979, Jeff Lamb, Black Hills State; 1980, Terry DuPris, Huron; 1981, Scott Bosanko, Northern State; 1982, Darryl James, Yankton; 1983, Dan Freidel, Augustana; 1984, Jeff Gross, Augustana; 1985, Alan Miller, Dakota Wesleyan; 1986, Koln Knight, Augustana; 1987, Rod DeHaven, S.D. State; 1988, Pat Dorn, S.D. State; 1989, Jason Landmark, Northern State; 1990, Tim Hatchett, South Dakota; 1991, Brett Schwartz, Dakota State; 1992, Scott Morgan, Dakota Wesleyan; 1993, Brian Loeffler, S.D. State; 1994, Bryan Schwartz, Augustana; 1995, Eric Kline, Northern State; 1996, Chad Lamer, S.D. State; 1997, Jason Sempsrott, S.D. State; 1998, Travis King, S.D. State; 1999, Josh Ranek, S.D. State; 2000, Paul Konechne, S.D. State; 2001, Josh Ranek, S.D. State; 2002, Tom Green, South Dakota; 2003, Eric Longhenry, Northern State; 2004, Brad Lowery, S.D. State; 2005, Wesley Beschorner, South Dakota; 2006, Turner Trofholz, South Dakota; 2007, Chad Cavender, Sioux Falls; 2008, Ryan Berry, S.D. State; 2009, Lorenzo Brown, Sioux Falls; 2010, Jon Ryan, Sioux Falls; 2011, Nate Wolters, S.D. State; 2012, Nate Wolters, S.D. State; 2013, Layne Somsen, S.D. State; 2014, Zach Zenner, S.D. State; 2015, Jake Wieneke, S.D. State; 2016, Dallas Goedert, S.D. State; 2017, Chris Nilsen, South Dakota; 2018, Seth Gross, S.D. State; 2019, Chris Nilsen, South Dakota; 2020, Chris Nilsen, South Dakota; 2021, Pierre Strong, Jr., S.D. State; 2022, Tanner Berg, Northern State; 2023, Joel Scott, Black Hills State; 2024, Mason Schleis, Mount Marty; 2025, TJ Chukwurah, Black Hills State.
 
COLLEGE MEN'S COACH
1954, Jim Emmerich, S.D. State track; 1955, Clark Swisher, Northern football; 1956, Bob Burns, Augustana football; 1957, Ralph Ginn, S.D. State football; 1958, Jim Long, Huron football; 1959, Jim Iverson, S.D. State basketball; 1960, Bob Wachs, Northern basketball; 1961, Ralph Ginn, S.D. State football; 1962, Clark Swisher, Northern football; 1963, Dan Lennon, South Dakota track; 1964, Gil Peterson, Huron football; 1965, Gordon Zapp, Dakota Wesleyan football; 1966, Warren Williamson, S.D. State wrestling; 1967, Gordon Fosness, Dakota Wesleyan basketball; 1968, Joe Salem, South Dakota football; 1969, Don Birmingham, Yankton football; 1970, Jim Marking, S.D. State basketball; 1971, Don Baker, USD-Springfield track; 1972, Bob Mulcahy, South Dakota basketball; 1973, Vern Tate, Huron football; 1974, Jay Dirksen, S.D. State track; 1975, Erv Huether, S.D. State baseball; 1976, Mike Durfee, USD-Springfield wrestling; 1977, Paul Kendle, Augustana wrestling. 1978, Dave Little Black Hills track; 1979, Gordon Fosness, Dakota Wesleyan basketball; 1980, Bruce Carrier, Huron basketball; 1981, Gary Boner, S.D. Tech football; 1982, Scott Underwood, S.D. State track; 1983, Bruce Carrier, Huron basketball; 1984, Bob Wachs, Northern basketball; 1985, Fran Hummel, Northern State wrestling; 1986, Dave Triplett, South Dakota football; 1987, Duane Ticknor, National College basketball; 1988, Jim Heinitz, Augustana football, and Bob Young, Sioux Falls College football; 1989, Fred Paulsen, Huron College basketball; 1990, Doug Martin, Dakota Wesleyan basketball; 1991, Jim Thorson, S.D. State basketball; 1992, Jim Heinitz, Augustana football; 1993, Dave Boots, South Dakota basketball; 1994, Mark Ekeland, S.D. State baseball; 1995, Bob Tereshinski, Mount Marty baseball; 1996, Scott Nagy, S.D. State; 1997, Bob Young, University of Sioux Falls football; 1998, Bob Olson, Northern State basketball; 1999, Jason Liles, S.D. State wrestling; 2000, Dave Gottsleben, South Dakota track; 2001, Scott Walkinshaw, Black Hills State cross country-track; 2002, Shane Murphy, University of Sioux Falls basketball; 2003, Don Meyer, Northern State basketball; 2004, Bob Young, University of Sioux Falls football; 2005, Ed Meierkort, South Dakota football; 2006, Kalen DeBoer, University of Sioux Falls football; 2007, John Stiegelmeier, S.D. State football; 2008, Kalen DeBoer, University of Sioux Falls football; 2009, Don Meyer, Northern State basketball; 2010, Mike Aldrich, Augustana football; 2011, Tom Billeter, Augustana basketball; 2012, John Stiegelmeier, S.D. State football; 2013, Tracy Hellman, Augustana cross country; 2014, Dave Gottsleben, University of South Dakota track; 2015, Matt Wilber, Dakota Wesleyan basketball; 2016, Tom Billeter, Augustana basketball; 2017, Bob Nielsen, University of South Dakota football; 2018, Paul Sather, Northern State basketball; 2019, Jerry Olszewski, Augustana football; 2020, Eric Henderson, S.D. State basketball; 2021, John Stiegelmeier, S.D. State football; 2022, Ryan Thompson, Black Hills State basketball; 2023, John Stiegelmeier and Jimmy Rogers, S.D. State football; 2024, Jerry Olszewski, Augustana football; 2025, Rod DeHaven, S.D. State cross country/track & field.
 
COLLEGE MEN'S TEAM
1954, S.D. track; 1955, S.D. State football; 1956, Augustana football; 1957, South Dakota basketball; 1958, South Dakota basketball; 1959, Northern basketball; 1960, S.D. State track; 1961, Northern football; 1962, S.D. State football; 1963, S.D. State basketball; 1964, Dakota Wesleyan basketball; 1965, Black Hills State basketball; 1966, South Dakota track; 1967, Northern State football; 1968, Northern State football; 1969, S.D. State basketball; 1970, Yankton football; 1971, Northern football; 1972, South Dakota football; 1973, S.D. Tech basketball; 1974, Huron basketball; 1975, S.D. State track; 1976, Dakota Wesleyan football; 1977, Dakota State football; 1978, Augustana basketball; 1979, S.D. State football; 1980, Huron College wrestling; 1981, Black Hills State track and cross country; 1982, S.D. tech football; 1983, Huron College basketball; 1984, S.D. State baseball; 1985, S.D. State basketball; 1986, Huron football; 1987, S.D. State cross country; 1988, National College basketball; 1989, S.D. State cross country; 1990, South Dakota basketball; 1991, South Dakota baseball; 1992, S.D. State basketball; 1993, Northern basketball; 1994, South Dakota basketball; 1995, Sioux Falls football; 1996, Sioux Falls football; 1997, S.D. State basketball; 1998, South Dakota cross country; 1999, Mount Marty baseball; 2000, Black Hills cross country; 2001, S.D. State wrestling; 2002, University of Sioux Falls football; 2003, University of Sioux Falls football; 2004, University of Sioux Falls basketball; 2005, University of South Dakota football; 2006, Northern State basketball; 2007, Sioux Falls football; 2008, Dakota Wesleyan football; 2009, Sioux Falls football; 2010, Mount Marty baseball; 2011, Augustana baseball; 2012, S.D. State basketball; 2013, S.D. State basketball; 2014, Augustana baseball; 2015, Augustana basketball; 2016, Augustana basketball; 2017, S.D. State football; 2018, Augustana baseball; 2019, Northern State basketball; 2020, Northern State basketball; 2021, S.D. State football; 2022, S.D. State basketball; 2023, S.D. State football; 2024, South Dakota football; 2025, S.D. State wrestling.
 
COLLEGE FEMALE ATHLETE
1979, Yvette Greer, South Dakota; 1980, Cindy Heyden, Augustana; 1981, Elaine Kempf, S.D. State; 1982, Cathy Coyle, Northern; 1983, Carin Doyle, S.D. State; 1984, Kristin Asp, S.D. State; 1985, Jenny Johnson, S.D. State; 1986, Amy Jorgenson, Augustana; 1987, Karla Stevenson, S.D. State; 1988, Renate Sluys, Mount Marty; 1989, Diana Burkard, Mount Marty; 1990, Linda Gdowski, South Dakota; 1991, Julie Krauth, Augustana; 1992, Heather Andrews, South Dakota; 1993, Amy Von Wald, Northern; 1994, Ann Westby, S.D. State; 1995, Julie Jensen, Northern State; 1996, Janna Austin Aslesen, Sioux Falls; 1997, Debby Volkers, Augustana; 1998, Elena Swan, South Dakota; 1999, Lisa Bomengen, Black Hills State; 2000, Jami Barraclough, S.D. Tech; 2001, Sara Deckert, South Dakota; 2002, Randi Morgan, Dakota Wesleyan; 2003, Mandy Koupal, South Dakota; 2004, Mandy Koupal, South Dakota; 2005, Shannon Schlagel, S.D. State; 2006, Melissa Gamble, Northern State; 2007, Megan Vogel, S.D. State; 2008, Emma Erickson, South Dakota; 2009, Jennifer Warkenthien, S.D. State; 2010, Amanda Madden, Northern State; 2011, Bethany Buell, South Dakota; 2012, Amber Hegge, South Dakota; 2013, Bethany (Buell) Firsick, South Dakota; 2014, Emily Grove, South Dakota; 2015, Nicole Seekamp, South Dakota; 2016, Macy Miller, S.D. State; 2017, Hannah Kastigar, Northern State; 2018, Macy Miller, S.D. State; 2019, Kamberlyn Lamer, Dakota Wesleyan; 2020, Ciara Duffy, South Dakota; 2021, Ady Dwight, Dakota Wesleyan; 2022, Elizabeth Juhnke, South Dakota; 2023, Myah Selland, S.D. State; 2024, Jacy Pulse, South Dakota; 2025, Sylvie Zgonc, S.D. State.
 
COLLEGE WOMEN'S COACH
1981, Curt Fredrickson, Northern basketball; 1982, Curt Fredrickson, Northern basketball; 1983, Judy Dittman, Dakota State basketball; 1984, Scott Underwood, S.D. State cross country; 1985, Chad Lavin, South Dakota basketball; 1986, Mike Peiper, Northern cross country; 1987, Pam Olerich, Dakota Wesleyan basketball; 1988, Nancy Neiber, S.D. State basketball; 1989, Greg Willey, South Dakota track and field; 1990, Scott Underwood, S.D. State cross country; 1991, Barb Felderman, S.D. Tech basketball. 1993, Curt Fredrickson, Northern basketball; 1994, Dave Krauth, Augustana basketball; 1995. Shane Warwick, Huron basketball; 1996, Robin Schamber, Black Hills State basketball; 1997, Kim Sudbeck, Augustana volleyball; 1998, Sandy Jerstad, Augustana volleyball; 1999, Barb Felderman, S.D. Tech basketball; 2000, Jeff Dittman, Dakota State basketball; 2001, Kevin Lein, Dakota Wesleyan basketball; 2002, Todd Lowery, National American University volleyball; 2003, Aaron Johnston, S.D. State basketball; 2004, Aaron Johnston, S.D. State basketball; 2005, Curt Fredrickson, Northern State basketball; 2006, Aaron Johnston, S.D. State basketball; 2007, Chad Lavin, South Dakota basketball; 2008, Lang Wedemeyer, S.D. State soccer; 2009, Dale Roden, Dakota Wesleyan soccer; 2010, Tracy Hellman, Augustana cross country; 2011, Adam Anderson, Dakota Wesleyan golf; 2012, Curt Fredrickson, Northern State basketball; 2013, Brent Aldridge, Northern State volleyball; 2014, Amy Williams, South Dakota basketball; 2015, Brent Aldridge, Northern State volleyball; 2016, Amy Williams, South Dakota basketball; 2017, Dan Fitzsimmons, South Dakota cross country; 2018, Jason Christensen, Dakota Wesleyan basketball; 2019, Aaron Johnston, S.D. State basketball; 2020, Dawn Plitzuweit, South Dakota basketball; 2021, Leanne Williamson, South Dakota volleyball; 2022, Lindsay Wilber, Dakota Wesleyan volleyball; 2023, Dave Krauth, Augustana basketball; 2024, Dan Georgalas, S.D. State volleyball; 2025, Gretta Melsted, Augustana softball.
 
COLLEGE WOMEN'S TEAM
1980, S.D. State cross country; 1981, S.D. State cross country; 1982, S.D. State golf; 1983, S.D. State track; 1984, South Dakota basketball; 1985, South Dakota swimming; 1986, Mount Marty basketball; 1987, South Dakota Tech volleyball; 1988, Northern basketball; 1989, Dakota Wesleyan volleyball; 1990, Augustana softball; 1991, S.D. cross country; 1992, Northern basketball; 1993, Augustana basketball; 1994, Northern basketball; 1995, S.D. State basketball; 1996, Huron University basketball; 1997, Black Hills State basketball; 1998, S.D. Tech basketball; 1999, National American University soccer; 2000, Augustana College volleyball; 2001, S.D. State volleyball; 2002, S.D. State basketball; 2003, S.D. State basketball; 2004, S.D. State basketball; 2005, S.D. State basketball; 2006, National American University volleyball; 2007, S.D. State basketball; 2008, South Dakota basketball; 2009, S.D. State basketball; 2010, Dakota Wesleyan Golf; 2011, Augustana cross country; 2012, S.D. State basketball; 2013, Augustana Women's Basketball; 2014, S.D. State soccer; 2015, Augustana softball; 2016, S.D. State basketball.; 2017, South Dakota cross country; 2018, Dakota Wesleyan basketball; 2019, South Dakota volleyball; 2020, South Dakota basketball; 2021, S.D. State softball; 2022, South Dakota basketball; 2023, Dakota State basketball; 2024, S.D. State basketball; 2025, S.D. State basketball.