South Dakota State Jackrabbits Logo PNG
The South Dakota State Jackrabbits logo represents the speed, agility, and persistence of South Dakota State University’s athletic teams. The image of a rabbit highlights the athletes’ energy, competitiveness, and winning attitude.
Dakota Agricultural College, later South Dakota State University, was founded in 1881, with athletics beginning shortly after. The nickname “Jackrabbits” originated in 1907, referring to the team’s speed and agility on the football field. Football officially started in 1889, followed by basketball in 1905.
In the 1920s, the school joined the North Central Conference, establishing a stable competitive structure. The Jackrabbits excelled in track, basketball, and football during the 1930s and 1950s, regularly winning conference championships. Women’s athletics took shape in the 1960s, with the 1966 opening of Frost Arena as a primary sports facility.
A significant shift occurred in 2004, as the university transitioned to NCAA Division I competition. The Jackrabbits competed in the Great West Conference in football before joining the Missouri Valley Football Conference in 2008, while other sports entered the Summit League in 2007.
Women’s basketball made its debut in the NCAA Division I Tournament in 2012, followed by the men’s team in 2013. In 2019, the university constructed the Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium, enhancing its football infrastructure. This investment coincided with a notable athletic milestone when the football team won the FCS National Championship in 2022.
By 2023, South Dakota State had solidified its presence in NCAA Division I sports, known for producing professional-level talent, including NFL player Dallas Goedert and basketball standout Nate Wolters.
Meaning and History
What is South Dakota State Jackrabbits?
These South Dakota State University teams are known for their competitive spirit and high achievement in various sports at the NCAA Division I level. The main games are held at Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium and Frost Arena in Brookings, where the blue and yellow colors of the teams unite with those of 19 other university teams and cause warm support among fans. Particularly strong performances in basketball and football have cemented their reputations, and they regularly claim high positions in the conference and at the national level. Wrestling has also been widely recognized for training top-notch athletes, and its mascot, Jack the Rabbit, inspires loyal fans from the Upper Midwest.
1971 – 1990
Larry Westall, an employee of the University Relations department, created the logo for the South Dakota State University teams. The main symbol was a cartoon-style rabbit. Its design resembled the famous Bugs Bunny from the animated series, but had its own individuality and distinctive features.
The mascot character looks active and humorous. The rabbit is shown running with its body leaning forward, conveying a sense of speed and drive. The oncoming wind sweeps back the ears; the legs are in mid-stride, and a wide smile with large teeth and a sly squint creates the image of a playful, slightly bold character.
The color scheme uses neutral gray and white tones with black contour lines. The inner parts of the ears are pink. White areas on the face and chest stand out against the gray fur, adding contrast and making the mascot’s appearance more memorable.
The rabbit’s proportions are drawn in a caricature style with a large head and elongated legs, emphasizing its speed. A small white puff represents the tail, completing a cohesive and recognizable silhouette.
The artistic style refers to classic animation. It made the rabbit a vivid embodiment of the university’s athletic spirit and the symbol of the Jackrabbits teams, conveying their energy and the positive attitude of the student community.
1990 – 2008
At the beginning of the 1990s, the university introduced a new version of the Jackrabbits sports mascot with bright design elements. The old gray rabbit was replaced by a character in blue and yellow tones, reflecting the university’s official colors.
The new rabbit looks even friendlier and more energetic than before. In fact, if the lower part of the previous rabbit is removed, it becomes clear that almost nothing else has changed except for the color. The character has a big smile and squinting eyes that emphasize friendliness and a positive attitude. The pulled-back ears convey a sense of speed and activity, while the white face with teeth and a small beard highlights the character.
The emblem is combined with the word “Jacks,” the informal name of the university’s teams. The letters are large and rounded, rendered in deep blue that complements the yellow rabbit. The animal interacts with the text, with its head and paws overlapping the letters, enhancing the composition’s unity. The rabbit appears to be peeking out from behind the word.
The logo’s style reflects the youthful spirit and athletic ambitions of the university community. The bright color palette, dominated by yellow, blue, and white, emphasizes the image’s energy and its connection to the university.
2008 – today
The redesign of the South Dakota State Jackrabbits logo in 2008 was the result of a long and open process involving professional designers Craig and Cory Whitlock from Mongoose Graphics (Denver) and typography specialist Tony Horning from Minnesota. The creation of the new emblem took about a year and a half, accompanied by a public contest, hundreds of submitted concepts, and extensive feedback from fans and university students.
The updated Jackrabbits mascot is depicted as a rabbit frozen in mid-jump. Its pose conveys tension and focus. The animal’s legs are extended, the body leans forward, and the gaze is stern and concentrated. The overall style became more serious, abandoning the previous cartoon look in favor of sharp, minimalist lines that enhance the sense of speed and athletic intent.
The main colors of the emblem are yellow (PMS 109) and blue (PMS 286), the official university shades, complemented by white outlines and dark shadows that add depth to the figure. Visually, the rabbit appears composed and ready for competition.
Below the rabbit image is the word JACKRABBITS, in large, serif yellow letters with a blue outline. The bottom of the word is shaped like an arch. Below that is the full name, SOUTH DAKOTA STATE UNIVERSITY, rendered in a formal business typeface.
The new logo style became modern and expressed the athletic character of the South Dakota State teams.