The Dakota Scout

The Dakota Scout

Share this post

The Dakota Scout
The Dakota Scout
T. Denny Sanford cutting $20M check for new USD track complex

T. Denny Sanford cutting $20M check for new USD track complex

First Premier Bankcard founder to honor Sanford Health CEO Bill Gassen and wife, Jill with names on Vermillion athletic complex

Jonathan Ellis's avatar
Jonathan Ellis
Aug 19, 2025
∙ Paid
11

Share this post

The Dakota Scout
The Dakota Scout
T. Denny Sanford cutting $20M check for new USD track complex
1
Share

South Dakota philanthropist T. Denny Sanford is donating $20 million to the University of South Dakota to build a new indoor track and field facility.

The track and building will be named in honor of current Sanford Heath CEO Bill Gassen and his wife, Jill. Both were track and field athletes who graduated from USD in 2004. Jill Gassen competed in hurdles and pole vault, while Bill Gassen threw shotput. He was also a defensive lineman on the Coyote football team.

Both also went on to get advanced degrees at USD – Jill Gassen became a physician assistant after graduating with a biology degree and Bill Gassen earned his law degree from the school.

Pharmacy giant sues South Dakota over law to protect rural hospitals

Jonathan Ellis
·
Aug 18
Pharmacy giant sues South Dakota over law to protect rural hospitals

A pharmaceutical giant has filed suit against the state of South Dakota, alleging that a bill passed by the Legislature and signed by Gov. Larry Rhoden this year violated federal law.

Read full story

Keep reading with a 7-day free trial

Subscribe to The Dakota Scout to keep reading this post and get 7 days of free access to the full post archives.

Already a paid subscriber? Sign in
© 2025 The Dakota Scout
Privacy ∙ Terms ∙ Collection notice
Start writingGet the app
Substack is the home for great culture

Share