South Dakota State University running back Kyle Minett is a repeat selection to the first team and defensive back Conrad Kjerstad, a Wall native, is a second-team honoree on the ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America Football Team.

A two-time Academic All-District VII honoree, Kjerstad makes his first appearance on the Academic All-America squad. He has started all 11 games this season and leads the team with four pass breakups, ranks in a tie for second with four interceptions and stands third with 76 tackles for a Jackrabbit defense that leads the FCS ranks in pass efficiency defense. His nine career interceptions are the most by an active Jackrabbit player.

To be eligible for academic all-America consideration, a student-athlete must be a varsity starter or key reserve, maintain a cumulative grade point average of 3.30 on a scale of 4.00, have reached sophomore athletic and academic standings at his/her current institution and be nominated by his/her sports information director.

KELO to broadcast SDSU football game

KELO television of Sioux Falls has been awarded the broadcast rights to televise the South Dakota State-Montana Division I Football Championship Subdivision first-round playoff game Saturday afternoon.

Coverage is scheduled to begin at noon MST from Washington-Grizzly Stadium in Missoula, Mont. Missoula-based KPAX-TV will originate the broadcast.

SDSU is making its inaugural appearance in the FCS playoffs after earning an at-large berth with an 8-3 overall record. Montana, the Big Sky Conference champion, is the top-seeded team in the 16-team field and is undefeated at 11-0.

Radio coverage of Saturday’s game will be carried by KRKI 99.5 FM in Rapid City, as well as on the Jackrabbit Extra at GoJacks.com.

Youth basketball playoffs planned

South Dakota youth basketball teams for both boys and girls in grades 5-9 will begin playoffs this spring in four regions for South Dakota youth basketball state championships.

Each region will accept as many as 16 teams. All teams will play three or four games in the regional tournament.

The champions and runner-up teams from each region will be invited to play in the eight-team state championship in June. Teams that win two or more games will be invited to play in the North Dakota Invitational.

The South Dakota state champion and runner-up in each division will be invited to play in the Great Four-State Youth Basketball Championship at the Target Center in Minneapolis along with the top two teams from Minnesota, Iowa and North Dakota.

All South Dakota head coaches will be contacted with team registration information. More information is available at www.pacesetternet.com.

Contract approved for Mitchell stadium

The Mitchell School Board has finalized an agreement with Puetz Corp. for design and construction management services for a new $2.5 million stadium at Joe Quintal field.

Company spokesman Mark Puetz says demolition likely will be done in January, with construction of the new stadium beginning in the spring and wrapping up in early September.

Activities director Geoff Gross says Mitchell’s first home football game of the 2010 season is Sept. 3 against Brookings. If the stadium is not completed by then, Brookings will host the game.

Business Manager Steve Culhane says the stadium is being financed through bonds that will be repaid over 15 years, bringing the total cost of the project to $2.9 million.