The 50 Greatest South Dakota Sports Figures

This list of the top 50 greatest 20th-century athletes originally appeared in the Dec. 27, 1999 issue of Sports Illustrated. Have someone to add to SI's list? Click here to submit your choices.

20th Century Top 50 Rank Profile 1 Billy Mills, Pine Ridge Won 10,000-meter track title in then Olympic-record 28:24.4 at 1964 Games; in 1965 set world record for six miles (27:11.6). 2 Frank Leahy, Winner Notre Dame football coach from 1941 to '43 and '46 to '53 had six undefeated seasons and won five national championships. 3 Garney Henley, Hayti Was Canadian Football League All-Star nine straight years (from 1963 to '71) as a defensive back; moved to flanker in '72 and won league MVP award. 4 Marlene Hagge, Eureka In 1950 was one of 11 charter members of the LPGA; won 25 tour events from 1952 to '72. 5 Casey Tibbs, Fort Pierre Won Rodeo Cowboys Association world title as a teen and was nine-time world champion all-around cowboy. 6 Jack Manders, Milbank Bears' three-time All-Pro halfback scored two TDs, intercepted a pass and recovered a fumble in loss to Redskins in 1937 title game. 7 Randy Lewis, Rapid City Won a gold medal at 136 1/2 pounds in freestyle wrestling at the 1984 Olympics. 8 Dave Collins, Rapid City Sixteen-year major league outfielder excelled in 1980, batting .303 with 79 stolen bases and 94 runs for Reds. 9 George Amundson, Aberdeen In 1969 set national high school discus record with throw of 211' 4"; running back for three seasons in NFL. 10 Earl Sande, Groton Was the nation's leading jockey in 1921, '23 and '27; in '30 rode Gallant Fox to the Triple Crown. 11 Dick Green, Mitchell Four-sport star at Mitchell High played second base for world-champion A's from 1972 to '74. 12 Pug Manders, Milbank Three-time All-Missouri Valley Conference running back at Drake, scored school-record 24 TDs; in 1941 was NFL's top rusher with Dodgers (486 yards). 13 Ordell Braase, Mitchell Two-time Pro Bowl defensive end spent 12 seasons with Colts (from 1957 to '68); helped Baltimore win three NFL titles. 14 Buster Charles, Flandreau Won first five events of 1929 U.S. decathlon championship, then sprained ankle; a year later was national decathlon champion. 15 Kris Tschetter, Sioux Falls Four-time South Dakota women's stroke play champion as an amateur, has earned more than $1.7 million on LPGA tour. 16 Carroll Hardy, Sturgis Only man to pinch-hit for Ted Williams; batted .225 over eight major league seasons; caught 12 passes for 1955 49ers. 17 Wayne Rasmussen, Howard Intercepted 16 passes in nine-year career (from 1964 to '72) with Lions, including five in '65; set seven school football records at South Dakota State. 18 Leonard Lovely, Elkton Three-time All-America guard led Creighton to two league basketball titles (1923 and '24). 19 John Dutton, Rapid City Picked fifth in 1974 NFL draft; spent 14 seasons as Colts and Cowboys defensive lineman. 20 Weert Engelmann, Miller Starred in track at South Dakota State, winning six events in two conference championships before joining Green Bay in 1930 as a halfback. 21 Frank Kelley, Tyndall In 1925 broke world records in low and high hurdles; scored all of South Dakota State's points (56) in conference football games in '26. 22 Cindy Greiner, Wilmot Only three-time Olympian from South Dakota; placed fourth in 1984 heptathlon, eighth in '88. 23 Jim Iverson, Platte Four-time all-state basketball player at Platte High started for Kansas State in 1951 NCAA championship game. 24 Ron DeHaven, Huron The 1985 NCAA Division II 1,500-meter indoor champion was top American marathoner in 1999 at the world championships. 25 Joe Mendel, Onida Led Onida High to 1926 state track title, setting state long jump and 440-yard-dash records and winning 100 and 220. 26 Don Jacobsen, Lake Norden Three-time all-conference guard (1958-59 to '60-61) set South Dakota State basketball records for points in a season (638) and career (1,488). 27 Mike Miller, Mitchell Led Mitchell High to state basketball championship in 1996 and '97; twice named South Dakota prep athlete of the year. 28 Cornie Collin, Huron Captain of Creighton basketball and football teams was hoops All-America in 1933. 29 Doug Wolfgang, Sioux Falls Won more than 500 races and over $1 million on the World of Outlaws sprint car circuit. 30 Jim Scott, Deadwood White Sox pitcher had 107-113 record and 2.30 ERA from 1909 to '17; worked as NL umpire from 1930 to '32. 31 Bill Scherr, Mobridge The 1988 Olympic bronze medalist in 220-pound freestyle wrestling was a three-time All-America at Nebraska. 32 Urban Odson, Clark First South Dakotan to be named All-America at a major college, as tackle at Minnesota in 1940; spent four years with Packers. 33 Steph Schueler, Sioux Falls All-state in football and basketball; won 1971 Outland Trophy and was named first-team All-America at Nebraska. 34 Larry Jacobson, Sioux Falls All-state in football and basketball; won 1971 Outland Trophy and was named first-team All-America at Nebraska. 35 Bob Stransky, Yankton Earned All-America honors as Colorado tailback in 1957, placing second in nation in rushing (1,097 yards) and fourth in total offense (1,387). 36 Tom Byrum, Onida In 15 years on PGA Tour has earned more than $2.3 million; won 1989 Kemper Open. 37 Fred Hecker, Sioux Falls Versatile star led Washington High to two state basketball titles, three track titles and one golf title from 1953 to '57. 38 Jim Scherr, Mobridge Placed fifth in 1988 Olympics in 198-pound freestyle wrestling; won silver medal at '87 and '89 world championships. 39 Eric Piatkowski, Rapid City Clippers swingman was South Dakota's 1989 Mr. Basketball, averaging 25.6 points and 10.3 rebounds at Stevens High. 40 Dave Gassman, Canova Has starred in amateur baseball for last 34 years; holds state records for wins (382) and strikeouts (5,474). 41 John Simko, Sioux Falls Only South Dakotan to win four state high school singles tennis titles (from 1954 to '57); two-time All-America on offensive line at Augustana College. 42 Dennis Koslowski, Doland Greco-Roman wrestler, at 220 pounds, won silver medal at 1992 Olympics and bronze in '88. 43 Curt Byrum, Onida Five-time South Dakota amateur champion (and brother of Tom) has won more than $1.7 million in 17 years on the PGA Tour. 44 Jeremy Sonnenfeld, Sioux Falls On Feb. 2, 1997, bowled the first officially recognized 900 series in history. 45 Becky Hammon, Rapid City Three-time WAC player of the year at Colorado State before joining WNBA; was first South Dakota woman to play pro basketball in the U.S. 46 Becky Flynn, Wakonda State's alltime leading scorer in girls' basketball (3,268 points) led Wakonda High to 101 straight wins and three state titles. 47 Lincoln McIlravy, Philip No. 1-ranked 152-pound freestyle wrestler in the U.S.; won three NCAA titles at Iowa (1993, '94, '97). 48 Fred Gushurst, Lead Right end for unbeaten 1912 and '13 Notre Dame football teams; named All-America in '13. 49 Kirk Wallman, Freeman Went 201-0 in six years of varsity wrestling for Freeman High; only South Dakotan to win six state wrestling titles. 50 Neil Graff, Sioux Falls All-Big Ten QB for Wisconsin led conference in passing and total offense as a junior in 1970; spent six years in NFL.

Photograph by ALLSPORT