A look back at some of the sports happenings during the week of March 26-April 1:

Last year on March 28, 2022: Northern State has honored long-time, multi-sports official Duane “Dewey” Donat (1945-2021) of Aberdeen by featuring his name in a pair of annual track meets it hosts. His son, Eric Donat, will work both of those meets in 2022 as an official, including today’s Dewey Donat Invitational high school meet. Duane Donat was NSU’s main go-to track official/starter for years.

Meanwhile, the Aberdeen Public School Board has renamed some of its athletic facilities. The football field will now be known as the Golden Eagle Field. The complex, which also includes the track, locker rooms, stands and concessions area, will be known as the Brownell Activities Complex in honor of retired athletic director Gene Brownell. 

10 years ago on March 28, 2013: Steve Asmussen, who was born in Gettysburg, moved into second place in the world for career wins by a horse trainer (6,418).

20 years ago on March 29, 2003: March was quite a month for the Kent and Kathy Hegge family of Baltic. Daughter Chelsey helped Baltic win the State B girls’ title March 15 in Aberdeen, while older twin daughters Kassy and Karly were helping their college teams to victories. Kassy helped Sioux Falls advance to the NAIA Division II national semifinals on March 17, while Karly helped South Dakota State win the NCAA Division II national crown on March 29. The three Hegge-loaded teams went a combined 77-14 during the season.

30 years ago on March 26, 1993: Coach Dave Boots and his USD men’s basketball team lost 100-96 in three overtimes to New Hampshire in the NCAA DII national quarterfinals. The Coyotes finished 25-5 led by starters John Brenegan, Mark Andres, Chris Jones, Troy Terronez and Shane Murphy.

40 years ago on April 1, 1983: Onida native Curt Byrum is tied with Fred Couples for fourth on the PGA Tour for driving distance. Byrum and Couples have been averaging 270 yards per drive, eight yards less than leader John McComish.

50 years ago on March 31, 1973: One of the NFL’s rising stars, Cincinnati Bengels quarterback Ken Anderson is visiting Sioux Falls. His stops will include a visit to Howard Wood Field. On Sept. 23, 1967, at Howard Wood, the Augustana Vikings of Rock Island, IL, traveled to Sioux Falls to face the Augustana Vikings of South Dakota. With South Dakota Augie leading 21-9 late in the second half, Augie of Illinois decided to test an unknown fourth-string freshman quarterback named Ken Anderson. Anderson entered the game and rallied his team by throwing two TDS to give the visitors a 23-21 lead. But with less than three minutes left, the Sioux Falls Vikings got a game-winning 33-yard field goal from Darwin Busselman to win 24-23.