Local News
Bad Moccasin joins brother in hall of fame
del.icio.us
Digg
NewsVine
FarkPIERRE — Rapid City resident Dick Bad Moccasin joined his brother in Pierre T.F. Riggs’ Athletic Hall of Fame in ceremonies Saturday at halftime of the Pierre-Rapid City Stevens boys’ basketball game.
Bad Moccasin joins his brother, Bruce, on the elite list. Bruce was inducted in 1998. They are the first brother combination to be elected.
Also gaining entry this year were coach Vern Miller, track standout Daryl Schofield, basketball and tennis star Tom Burchill and girls’ basketball star Laurie Mikkonen.
Dick Bad Moccasin was a member of the class of 1958. He was a three-sport athlete, competing in cross country, track and basketball. It was on the basketball court that he made his biggest mark, making the Class A all-state team in 1957 and 1958. The Govs were a combined 33-7 in those two years.
“It’s a tremendous honor for me,” Bad Moccasin, who is retired from the Public Health Service, said. “I was one of the few Indian kids that went to school here then. I went out for every sport I could, and I enjoyed it.”
Bad Moccasin went on to play college ball at the North Dakota School of Science in Wahpeton where he graduated with honors. He earned his master’s degree in public health from Northern State University.
“The teachers and coaches inspired me to keep going,” Bad Moccasin said. “But it started right here in Pierre.”
Mikkonen, who now lives in Minneapolis, was one of the Lady Govs’ all-time great girls’ basketball players. From the Class of 1990, she was a three-time team most valuable player. She remains second on the team’s career rebound list and third in total scoring. The Lady Govs went 41-5 in her final two years, placing second at state in 1988 and third in 1989.
Schofield, Class of 1984, lettered in track, basketball and football. His biggest impact was on the track, where won state championships in the high jump and 200-meter dash. He held the school record in high jump, triple jump and as a member of the 3,200-meter and medley relay teams. Competing at South Dakota State, he broke the school record in the decathlon.
Graduating from SDSU with a degree in electrical engineering, Schofield now lives in Castlewood.
Burchill was a two-sport star for the Govs before graduating in 1980. He and Mark Parrett won the first flight tennis championship in 1979 in leading the Pierre tennis team to the state championship. He is tied for fifth on the team’s all-time singles win list, winning 83 percent of his matches. At the University of South Dakota, he played at No. 1 singles for four straight years.
In basketball, Burchill made state Class AA All-State in both 1979 and 1980. He helped lead the Govs to the 1979 state championship and is still in the top 10 on the career scoring list. He currently lives in Sioux Falls.
Vern Miller coached for 25 years at Pierre, including 24 as head track coach. He was track coach of the year in 1987. He was sophomore boys’ basketball coach for 23 years, leading the Govs to a record of 310-104. He was assistant basketball coach of the year in 1991.
Pierre Riggs High School inducted five members into its Athletic Hall of Fame at halftime of Sunday's Pierre-Rapid City Stevens boys basketball game. Inducted were, from left, Vern Miller, Daryl Schofield, Tom Burchill, Dick Bad Moccasin and Laura Mikkonen. (Courtesy photo)
The opinions above are from readers of rapidcityjournal.com and in no way represent the views of the Rapid City Journal or Lee Enterprises.
Rapidcityjournal.com provides this community forum for readers to exchange ideas and opinions on the news of the day. Passionate views, pointed criticism and critical thinking are welcome. Name-calling, crude language and personal abuse are not welcome. Moderators will monitor comments with an eye toward maintaining a high level of civility in this forum. Our comment policy explains the rules of the road for registered commenters.
If you don't see your comment, perhaps...
Terms of Use | Privacy Policy