'Get off the Bench' this weekend at Frost

BROOKINGS — For the third year in a row, fans attending this weekend's Showdown Series basketball games can make an impact across the state through the "Get Off the Bench" campaign, benefiting Feeding South Dakota.

"The Showdown Series partnership is a perfect avenue to promote agriculture while continuing our commitment to help Feeding South Dakota provide hundreds of thousands of nourishing meals to individuals and families," said Teddi Mueller, South Dakota Corn's marketing director. "Rivals in sports are on the same side when it comes to providing for those in need."

The yearlong Showdown Series, an athletic and academic competition between in-state rivals University of South Dakota Coyotes and South Dakota State University Jackrabbits, takes center stage this weekend with a pair of contests at Frost Arena in Brookings. The men face off Saturday at 4 p.m., while the women's matchup tips at 1 p.m. Sunday.

Fans attending the games can donate by swiping their credit/debit cards at "dip jars" located at the concessions stands, or through cash donations at collection sites near arena entrances. Donations also can be made by texting SHOWDOWN to 80077.

"Jackrabbit Athletics is once again proud to partner with South Dakota Corn and Feeding South Dakota to raise funds and provide a platform for their hunger-fighting initiatives," SDSU Director of Athletics Justin Sell said. "Our fans have a great history of stepping up and providing support for events like this, and I have no doubt this weekend's large crowd will help meet and exceed the goals set forth."

Both universities are encouraging their fans and the community to "Get Off the Bench" in support of the overall goal to ultimately provide significant funding to Feeding South Dakota. The color orange represents the fight against hunger, which both university athletic programs have teamed up to support.

USD Director of Athletics David Herbster added, "The South Dakota Showdown Series presented by the South Dakota Corn Utilization Council is such a unique partnership that has harnessed the rivalry between USD and SDSU for the betterment of those in the state. The sportsmanship, service and academic excellence showcased through the South Dakota Showdown Series has only been enhanced each year to benefit the philanthropic efforts of Feeding South Dakota."

The South Dakota Showdown Series, won by USD each of the last two years, operates on a point system in which each school can earn a maximum of 23 points per year based on head-to-head competition between the Jackrabbits and the Coyotes in a total of 19 men's and women's athletic events. SDSU holds a narrow 5-4 lead in the 2018-19 series, with two points on the line this weekend at Frost Arena.

There is an academic component as well, and the university deriving the most points by the end of the school year will earn bragging rights to the specially designed traveling trophy. Throughout the school year, fans can visit www.sdcornshowdown.com to track progress and see point totals for their favorite team.

Both are properties of Learfield IMG College, which manages multimedia rights for more than 200 collegiate properties around the country. Other Learfield IMG College partners hosting rivalry series include Oklahoma/Oklahoma State (Bedlam Series) and Iowa/Iowa State (Cy-Hawk Series).

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'Get off the Bench' this weekend at Frost

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