BROOKINGS, S.D. – South Dakota State University Athletics, in partnership with the SDSU Foundation, is proud to announce the creation of the Sharon L. (Johanson) Kvistad Nutrition Fund for Jackrabbit Athletics. The fund is made possible by a transformational gift from Steven E. Kvistad in honor of his late mother, Sharon (Johanson) Kvistad, who came to SDSU from Aberdeen, S.D. The investment marks a new era for Jackrabbit student-athlete nutrition and performance.
This commitment comes as the NCAA continues to emphasize nutrition, mental health and overall well-being as critical components of the student-athlete experience. Notably, Kvistad's gift was made before the recent committee recommendations on nutrition, reflecting his forward-thinking dedication to creating the best environment possible for Jackrabbit student-athletes.
Katie LeMair
The gift enabled SDSU Athletics to hire its first-ever full-time registered dietitian. This full-time dietitian will carry the family name and title of Associate Athletic Director for Kvistad Nutrition. The Associate AD for Kvistad Nutrition role was recently filled by Katie LeMair, MS, RD, CSSD, an accomplished performance dietitian with more than six years of experience in Division I Athletics. LeMair officially began her work with SDSU Athletics on August 11, 2025.
"The ability to have a registered dietitian housed within Jackrabbit Athletics is a game-changer for our entire program," Director of Athletics Justin Sell said. "We thank Steve Kvistad for his commitment to providing the resources to fund this position and are elated to be able to bring in Katie with her level of expertise and experience to this important role."
A South Dakota State alumna, LeMair returns to Brookings after working with elite programs at Kansas State University, the University of Texas, and the University of Nebraska. She specializes in day-to-day fueling strategies, injury recovery nutrition, Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (REDs) prevention and treatment, and support for athletes navigating disordered eating or eating disorder recovery.
For the Kvistad family, this gift is deeply personal. Steve and his brother, Greg, were letterwinners during their time on the Jackrabbit football team. Their mother, Sharon, was a registered dietitian—a passion also shared by their sister, Julie (Kvistad) Anderson, who chose the same career path. The Kvistad family's Jackrabbit pride runs deep: Steve's father, SDSU track alumnus Gayle (married to Annie Darling), has attended nearly every Jackrabbit Football game since his sons played, and Steve's nephew, Payton, worked with the Jackrabbit football program during the Coach Stig era.
Originally from Echo, Minnesota, Steve founded Midwest Utility Services, bringing high-speed internet to rural communities across Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, and South Dakota. He now resides in Pequot Lakes, Minnesota.
"This is more than just a gift; it's a continuation of SDSU's commitment to provide a first-class Division I student experience for all student-athletes," Steve said. "I want our current student-athletes to know that the broader SDSU alumni and friends are cheering them on and looking for opportunities to invest in their success."
The Associate AD for Kvistad Nutrition will also serve as a bridge between Jackrabbit Athletics and SDSU's nutrition and dietetics program in the College of Education and Human Sciences. This collaboration will open doors for student research, hands-on learning, and innovative sports nutrition programming.
"This partnership strengthens both our academic and athletic missions," said Evan Ortlieb, Dean of the College of Education and Human Sciences. "Our nutrition and dietetics students will gain unparalleled opportunities to apply their learning alongside a high-performance sports dietitian, while our student-athletes will benefit from evidence-based strategies to fuel their training, recovery and long-term wellness. It's a win for the entire Jackrabbit community."
The gift commitment includes a donation to the SDSU Foundation, providing six years of sustained funding for the initiative.
For more information about supporting Jackrabbit Athletics or the nutrition and dietetics program, please contact the SDSU Foundation at 605-697-7475 or visit www.sdstatefoundation.org.
