DSU announces Class of 2012 Athletic Hall of Fame inductees
March 20, 2012
MADISON, S.D. - The Dakota State University Athletics announced the Class of 2012 Hall of Fame. They will be formally inducted at the Hall of Fame Banquet on June 2 in Madison.
The inductees are Maureen (Green) Casey (posthumously), Dawn (Gaffney) Dittman, Dan Stratton, and the members of the 1999-2000 Lady T's Women's Basketball team.
Casey, a 1982 Dakota State graduate, was part of the first women's golf team at DSU. She helped the Trojans win the Region 6AIAW championship in North Dakota in 1982. As a result, Dakota State received a national bid to compete in the AIAW National Spring Golf Tournament in Wilmington, N.C., where the Trojans placed third. Casey placed sixth individually in the national tournament and became the first DSU female to be named an All-American athlete.
Dittman holds three degree from Dakota State. She earned her bachelors in 1998, masters in 2003, and a doctor of science degree in 2010. She was the first NAIA All-American athlete in Dakota State's women's basketball program history, and earned first-team All-Conference in the South Dakota-Iowa Conference (SDIC). Dittman was a two-time NAIA All-American Scholar Athlete. She holds a variety of career school records at Dakota State.
Stratton was a gridiron standout during his time at Dakota State. He was named NAIA Little All-American Honorable Mention in 1969-70, SDIC All-Conference, and NAIA All-District 12 in 1971 and 1972. He was a member of the 1971 Trojans' Boothill Bowl Champions football team. Stratton was drafted as free agent with the Cleveland Browns in 1972-73.
The 1999-2000 DSU Lady T's basketball team was the first women's team to qualify for a NAIA Division II National Tournament. They won a share of the final SDIC conference title and advanced to the 'Elite Eight' in the national tournament. The Lady T's also set a school record for most wins with 25.
The Hall of Fame Banquet is held in conjunction with the annual Blue and Gold Golf Classic, June 1 and 2. The golf classic is June 1 at the Madison Country Club. The Hall of Fame Banquet is June 2 at the Dakota Prairie Playhouse. More information and tickets for both events is available from the DSU Athletics Office 256-5229 or e-mail DSU Director of Athletic Development Nate Welch at nate.welch@dsu.edu (605-256-5693 - golf classic events) or carla.sudenga@dsu.edu (605-256-5229 - Hall of Fame information).
Nick Huntimer, Dakota State University Sports Information Director
