Visitor's Guide
Black Hills State Athletics Mission Statement
The mission of the athletics department is to provide an opportunity for student-athletes to develop and challenge their abilities through sports and provide a component of college life for all students, staff, alumni, and community through an affiliation and membership in the NCAA Division II level of athletics.
Black Hills State Athletics Philosophy Statement
BHSU Athletics deem the educational well-being and academic success of the participating student-athletes as the primary focus for success. At BHSU, athletics places emphasis on the ‘whole experience’ for the student-athlete as it relates to a comprehensive program of learning and development in a personal setting in line with the NCAA DII Philosophy Statement as per bylaw 20.10. “Higher education has a lasting importance on an individual’s future successs."
History of the Yellow Jacket Mascot
The use of a Yellow Jacket as a mascot dates back to the late 1920s. According to an article in the centennial edition of the Eochia the name was first used during an October 1927 football game when one of the fans jumped to her feet and yelled, ‘Go you yellow jackets, go!’ in reference to the yellow-colored jackets the team wore.
Another account in the centennial yearbook relates “the football team had been known as the Yellow Jackets, a name that appears to have derived from the horizontally striped socks worn by team members which gave them the appearance of wasp-like yellow jackets.”
The Yellow Jacket mascot was official named Sting in 2008 after students chose the name through a vote. Sting is always a popular draw at games and other events in the community.
