A New Home for Jackrabbit Soccer
South Dakota State University officially broke ground this week on Dakota Layers Stadium, a state‑of‑the‑art soccer complex that will serve as the new home for the Jackrabbit women’s team beginning in 2027.
The facility, situated east of the existing Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium and adjacent to Erv Huether Baseball Park, replaces the long‑used Fishback Park and brings the program fully onto campus.
Funding for the natural‑grass venue comes from lead gifts by Dakota Layers and the Ramsdell Family, enabling amenities such as stadium lights, a digital scoreboard, permanent grandstand seating and a dedicated press box.
Coach Brock Thompson called the project transformational, saying it will reshape recruiting, elevate team culture and provide a modern environment for player development.
Goalkeeper Mallorie Benhard echoed the sentiment, noting that the new venue is expected to draw larger crowds and increase the team’s visibility across the region.
Midfielder Ellie Gusman expressed gratitude for the Ramsdell Family’s generosity, highlighting how the stadium will deepen the squad’s connection to the broader SDSU community.
The Jackrabbits have captured three consecutive Summit League titles at Fishback Park, and the move onto campus is seen as a natural next step for a program that continues to grow.