Rapid City Central's Trisha Mancini has been named the Universal Cheerleaders Association coach of the month.

After cheering at Western Kentucky University, joining the Air Force and then retiring, Mancini came to Rapid City. With her strong cheerleading background she knew she would be a perfect fit as a cheerleading coach, but what she didn't realize was she was going to have to start from the ground up.

"Trisha has managed to build up the squads to be highly competitive," said assistant coach Brittany Minton. "Before she got involved at Central High School, the squads didn't know how to stunt, and now they are putting up scorpions with the best of them. She is truly an inspiration to us and an amazing leader."

Former Coyote running back joins Canadian Football League: Former University of South Dakota running back Amos Allen recently signed a contract with the British Columbia Lions of the Canadian Football League.

Allen, a 5-foot-8, 185-pound back who is a native of Miami, Fla., played for USD in 2007 and had an outstanding season. He rushed for 1,961 yards - a single-season record at USD - and 15 touchdowns during that season. Allen also holds the Coyote record for most 200 yard games in a season with four and is tied with former Coyote great Stefan Logan for the most 100-yard rushing games with 10 in a single season.

Blue Hawks earn Dakota Athletic Conference Commissioner's Cup: Dickinson State is the winner of the Dakota Athletic Conference Commissioner's Cup for the 2008-09 school year.

The Blue Hawks compiled 120 points to capture the honor. Black Hills State finished second with 113 points, followed by Jamestown College with 101, Minot State with 96, South Dakota Mines with 62, Dakota State with 60, Valley City State with 34 and Mayville State with 27.

Dickinson State won six conference championships - football, women's basketball, men's indoor and outdoor track and field, baseball and softball - during the 2008-09 season.

Black Hills State captured seven conference crowns - co-champions in volleyball and outright titles in men's and women's cross county, men's basketball, women's golf and women's indoor and outdoor track and field.

Minot State captured one conference championship in men's golf and Jamestown College won a conference title co-champions in volleyball.

The Commissioner's Cup is awarded to the member institution with the best overall record in conference competition. Points are given based on each school's finish in conference sports that include a conference championship.

Rodeo in Edgemont moved to different date: Due to scheduling conflicts, the Working Ranch Cowboy Association Rodeo scheduled in Edgemont has been changed to June 6 and 7 at the Fall River County Fairgrounds.

The Working Ranch Horse Competition has also been changed to June 6. Times will remain the same with the ranch horse competition beginning at 10 a.m. The rodeo is set to begin at 5 p.m. and noon.

Teams from throughout the country are entered to compete. The event is sanctioned by the Working Ranch Cowboy Association. The WRCA rodeos only include horsemen from working ranches who are skilled in all aspects of ranch work. They must obtain the majority of their income from ranching activities and must be a member of the WRCA.

This is an opportunity for people to see the top hands in the country compete and get a taste of Western history. There will be no charge to the public.

For more information about entering the ranch-horse competition, call Tim Schaack at 605-484-9714. For other information, call Wyatt VanEaton at 605-662-7022 or J.D. Williams at 307-334-2545.

University of South Dakota releases volleyball schedule: The University of South Dakota head volleyball coach Matt Houk has announced the Coyotes' 2009 volleyball schedule.

The 28-match schedule will feature 11 home matches and will conclude with the Great West Conference Tournament on Nov. 20 and 21 in Houston, Texas.

USD will open the season with tough competition as it plays in the University of Wisconsin-Madison Tournament the opening weekend, Aug. 28 and 29. At the tournament, the Coyotes will face Wisconsin, which finished 17-13 overall last season; Ohio, which posted a 24-8 record in 2008 and Duke, which was 25-9 this past season.

Children's Miracle Network golf tournament Set for May 29: The annual Children's Miracle Network golf tournament will be Friday, May 29, at the Elks Golf Course. All of the proceeds will benefit CMN at Rapid City Regional Hospital.

The tournament is an 18-hole, two-person scramble event, with an 8 a.m. shotgun start. The cost to participate is $125 per person, which includes green fees, cart, a bag of golf gifts and an awards lunch. The lunch is a steak grill for all golfers on the same day at the Elks Lodge. The presentation of awards is after lunch. Extra lunch tickets are available for guests for $18.50.

The registration deadline for the golf tournament is Thursday, May 28. Registration forms are available at www.rcrhfoundation.org. In case of inclement weather, a rain date has been set for June 5.

For more information, call Betty Quasney at 605-719-5842.

Tucker Day Rodeo set for August in Hill City: The Tucker Day Rodeo is set for Aug. 8 and 9 at the Double Diamond Ranch in Hill City.

This event will allow special needs children to ride horses, interact with animals, and feel the thrill of being a champion. There will also be a Cowboy Chuckwagon for all attendees to enjoy.

Local sponsors donated goods and services for this event, but they are still in need of money. There will be a live auction on May 30 to round-up some funds for the rodeo.

Items are needed for the auction, and they can include merchandise or a gift certificate. Any contribution will be auctioned, with all proceeds benefiting the Tucker Day Rodeo.

The auction begins at 4 p.m. at the Country Inn at the Forks, 23820 Highway 385.