BROOKINGS, S.D. — Jan. 8, 2026 — This Saturday, the South Dakota State University Department of Animal Science is partnering with the SDSU Athletics to host the 54th annual SDSU Pork Classic.
“The SDSU Pork Classic is a great reminder of what makes South Dakota State University special. It’s a place where agriculture, education and athletics can come together to support our students and celebrate the people who feed the world,” John Jaeger, Calvin and Mary Hayenga Department Head of Animal Science, said. “We’re grateful to our partners in the pork industry and everyone who make this event possible.”
On the court, beginning at 1 p.m. Jan. 10 will be a battle of top teams in the Summit League with the No. 2 South Dakota State Jackrabbits welcoming the No. 4 Oral Roberts Golden Eagles in a matchup that could determine conference tournament seeding.
During halftime of the women’s basketball game Jan. 10, a live hog will be auctioned off to support athletics scholarships. Two pork bundles that include two full loins, two full ribs, two tenderloins, one shoulder roast and one crown roast will be auctioned off to raise money for animal science student scholarships. Eighteen bundles, made available through the generosity of Pipestone, have already been sold ahead of the event.
The SDSU Pork Classic is not the only opportunity Jacks fans have to support animal science student scholarships this month. Mark your calendars now for Lamb Bonanza on Jan. 31, when the men’s basketball team takes on the same Oral Roberts foe at 2 p.m.
Tickets for both the women’s and men’s basketball games at First Bank & Trust Arena are available ahead of time on the athletics website or at the box office. More details about Lamb Bonanza will be made available in the coming weeks.
For more information about the Department of Animal Science or the College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences, visit their respective websites.
About South Dakota State University
Founded in 1881, South Dakota State University is the state’s Morrill Act land-grant institution as well as its largest, most comprehensive school of higher education. SDSU confers degrees from seven different colleges representing more than 230 majors, minors and specializations. The institution also offers 39 master’s degree programs, 17 Ph.D. and two professional programs.
The work of the university is carried out on a residential campus in Brookings, at sites in Sioux Falls, Pierre and Rapid City, and through Extension offices and Agricultural Experiment Station research sites across the state. SDSU’s research expenditures for the 2025 fiscal year were more than $94 million. SDSU has a Doctoral University: High Research Activity designation on The Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education.
For more information: SDSU News • www.sdstate.edu
