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South Dakota State University Athletics
BROKEN GROUND: DAKOTA LAYERS STADIUM & THE FUTURE OF SDSU SOCCER
7/29/2026 2:09:00 PM | Women's Soccer
Ground was officially broken on Tuesday, July 28, for Dakota Layers Stadium which will serve as the future home of the South Dakota State University soccer program. The groundbreaking ceremony held on the SDSU campus featured speeches given by a variety of individuals. They included SDSU Director of Athletics Justin Sell, SDSU President Barry Dunn, SDSU soccer head coach Brock Thompson, current student-athlete Mallorie Benhart, along with Dakota Layers' Alison Ramsdell and Jason Ramsdell. Below is a selection of quotes to highlight from the groundbreaking ceremony.Â
SDSU Director of Athletics Justin Sell
"I stand here today knowing President Dunn and I started on this journey with a soccer stadium about a decade ago and worked pretty hard to get to where we are today. I am so thankful for the Ramsdell family, Dakota Layers, you have made a huge difference. Not only in what we're doing today. I think of the old saying of 'you've made dreams come true.' But more importantly, you've given us a chance to re-frame what those dreams can be as we move forward thinking about what this soccer stadium will do."
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"When you marry up the quality of student-athletes we have in this program, with the results that we've been able to produce. Then to have a stadium that fits that kind of a program, we just feel very lucky today."
SDSU President Barry Dunn
"Given (their) accomplishments, it's no surprise that others wanted to join us in creating this exceptional home field advantage that we'll have here. Scott and Lani Ramsdell, and Dakota Layers, thank you for believing in the program. Thank you for sharing our vision of SDSU Athletics to provide this premier experience for our student-athletes."
SDSU Soccer Head Coach Brock Thompson
"We ask the players all the time to buy into the vision of what Jackrabbit soccer can be. This is a shining example of a family and a company that believes in the program and what it can be."
"I think the question I am left with and ponder a lot, 'how do we honor your genorosity and your gift?' I think investing in others is the easiest way to do that. I think (the Ramsdell family) has led by example time and time again, in many ways, in investing in community, people and causes that are near and dear to you. So I thank you for that. I know our Jackrabbit team will honor that gift by our preparation, by how hard we work, but most importantly by a deep and enduring attitude of gratitude for this investment and what It means for our program."
SDSU Student-Athlete Mallorie Benhart
"Today isn't just a part of a construction project, it's the beginning of a new chapter for Jackrabbit soccer. Every team leaves behind something. Some leave behind records, some leave behind championships, others leave behind traditions long after they are gone. Today, we are witnessing something that will be a part of this program's legacy for generations."
Â
"Fishback (Soccer Park) has been the home of our program for years. It's where we've celebrated wins, learned through tough losses, seen some beautiful sunsets, and built relationships that will last a lifetime. While we're excited for what's ahead, we're also grateful for everything Fishback has meant to our team and everyone who has supported us there."
Â
"Success in college athletics isn't built over night. It's built through years of commitment from coaches, administrations, alumni, fans and supporters who believe in something greater than themselves. Every person standing or sitting here today has played a huge role in moving this program forward. This stadium is proof of what could happen when people share a vision for the future. For the Ramsdell family, thank you for believing in that vision. Your generosity goes far beyond providing a place to play soccer. You've created a space for future student-athletes to chase dreams, overcome challenges, build lifelong friendships and represent South Dakota State with pride."
Dakota Layers' Allison Ramsdell
"Our family has called this part of South Dakota home for seven generations where we've raised our kids in Flandreau, South Dakota. Six of those generations have come to SDSU to pursue their calling. We have stuck around these parts and been drawn to this institution for similar reasons. Both are proud communities filled with people who look out for and support one another. People who celebrate diversity and look for opportunities to unify. And people who are devoted to making their corners of the world a little bit better."
Â
"We're looking forward to this gift enhancing the student experience here at SDSU, enhancing Jackrabbit soccer, and probably more exciting, expanding the possibilities for young women."
Dakota Layers' Jason Ramsdell
"Dakota Layers started as a vision in 1999 when a little over 100 family and community members decided to invest in something near Flandreau that would use local crops to help better the lives of the local farmers. In 2015, Dakota Layers was bought by our family from the rest of the investors. From there, we grew pretty significantly."
Â
"If it wasn't for the first investors, and all of our employees working hard for Dakota Layers, we wouldn't be able to do this generous gift and help out the future of the women's soccer program here (at SDSU)."
"In 2000, the inaugural season of SDSU women's soccer, was also the year we broke ground for Dakota Layers. It's exciting to be able to do this for the soccer stadium here today."
Final Remarks From Justin Sell
"We are going to have a big celebration when we open this thing on this spot a year from now. To think about that, and to be able to dream, it's amazing. All of you talked about investing in other people, generosity, willingness to benefit our communities and make a difference. I can assure you, this project will make a huge difference in all the things we're doing. Not only did our soccer program get better today, our athletic department got better today, and our university got better today. So thank you so much for all what you've done to make this happen."
-GoJacks.com-
SDSU Director of Athletics Justin Sell
"I stand here today knowing President Dunn and I started on this journey with a soccer stadium about a decade ago and worked pretty hard to get to where we are today. I am so thankful for the Ramsdell family, Dakota Layers, you have made a huge difference. Not only in what we're doing today. I think of the old saying of 'you've made dreams come true.' But more importantly, you've given us a chance to re-frame what those dreams can be as we move forward thinking about what this soccer stadium will do."
Â
"When you marry up the quality of student-athletes we have in this program, with the results that we've been able to produce. Then to have a stadium that fits that kind of a program, we just feel very lucky today."
SDSU President Barry Dunn
"Given (their) accomplishments, it's no surprise that others wanted to join us in creating this exceptional home field advantage that we'll have here. Scott and Lani Ramsdell, and Dakota Layers, thank you for believing in the program. Thank you for sharing our vision of SDSU Athletics to provide this premier experience for our student-athletes."
SDSU Soccer Head Coach Brock Thompson
"We ask the players all the time to buy into the vision of what Jackrabbit soccer can be. This is a shining example of a family and a company that believes in the program and what it can be."
"I think the question I am left with and ponder a lot, 'how do we honor your genorosity and your gift?' I think investing in others is the easiest way to do that. I think (the Ramsdell family) has led by example time and time again, in many ways, in investing in community, people and causes that are near and dear to you. So I thank you for that. I know our Jackrabbit team will honor that gift by our preparation, by how hard we work, but most importantly by a deep and enduring attitude of gratitude for this investment and what It means for our program."
SDSU Student-Athlete Mallorie Benhart
"Today isn't just a part of a construction project, it's the beginning of a new chapter for Jackrabbit soccer. Every team leaves behind something. Some leave behind records, some leave behind championships, others leave behind traditions long after they are gone. Today, we are witnessing something that will be a part of this program's legacy for generations."
Â
"Fishback (Soccer Park) has been the home of our program for years. It's where we've celebrated wins, learned through tough losses, seen some beautiful sunsets, and built relationships that will last a lifetime. While we're excited for what's ahead, we're also grateful for everything Fishback has meant to our team and everyone who has supported us there."
Â
"Success in college athletics isn't built over night. It's built through years of commitment from coaches, administrations, alumni, fans and supporters who believe in something greater than themselves. Every person standing or sitting here today has played a huge role in moving this program forward. This stadium is proof of what could happen when people share a vision for the future. For the Ramsdell family, thank you for believing in that vision. Your generosity goes far beyond providing a place to play soccer. You've created a space for future student-athletes to chase dreams, overcome challenges, build lifelong friendships and represent South Dakota State with pride."
Dakota Layers' Allison Ramsdell
"Our family has called this part of South Dakota home for seven generations where we've raised our kids in Flandreau, South Dakota. Six of those generations have come to SDSU to pursue their calling. We have stuck around these parts and been drawn to this institution for similar reasons. Both are proud communities filled with people who look out for and support one another. People who celebrate diversity and look for opportunities to unify. And people who are devoted to making their corners of the world a little bit better."
Â
"We're looking forward to this gift enhancing the student experience here at SDSU, enhancing Jackrabbit soccer, and probably more exciting, expanding the possibilities for young women."
Dakota Layers' Jason Ramsdell
"Dakota Layers started as a vision in 1999 when a little over 100 family and community members decided to invest in something near Flandreau that would use local crops to help better the lives of the local farmers. In 2015, Dakota Layers was bought by our family from the rest of the investors. From there, we grew pretty significantly."
Â
"If it wasn't for the first investors, and all of our employees working hard for Dakota Layers, we wouldn't be able to do this generous gift and help out the future of the women's soccer program here (at SDSU)."
"In 2000, the inaugural season of SDSU women's soccer, was also the year we broke ground for Dakota Layers. It's exciting to be able to do this for the soccer stadium here today."
Final Remarks From Justin Sell
"We are going to have a big celebration when we open this thing on this spot a year from now. To think about that, and to be able to dream, it's amazing. All of you talked about investing in other people, generosity, willingness to benefit our communities and make a difference. I can assure you, this project will make a huge difference in all the things we're doing. Not only did our soccer program get better today, our athletic department got better today, and our university got better today. So thank you so much for all what you've done to make this happen."
Video | Dakota Layers Stadium Groundbreaking Ceremony
Photo Gallery | Dakota Layers Stadium Groundbreaking Ceremony
Photo Gallery | Dakota Layers Stadium Groundbreaking Ceremony
-GoJacks.com-
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