A look back at some of the sports happenings during the week of Dec. 22-28:

Last year on Dec. 28, 2023: The two athletes who sold the most gear at the University of Nebraska NIL (Name-Image-Likeness) store in 2023 were from South Dakota. Football player Nash Hutmacher (Chamberlain) was the top-selling Cornhusker male athlete and volleyball player Bergen Reilly (O’Gorman) was the top-selling Cornhusker female athlete. The store said in its announcement that “you couldn’t stop shopping their locker rooms,” but did not provide dollar amounts.

10 years ago on Dec. 23, 2014: Mobridge native Alvin Nelson had died at age 80. He won the saddle bronc world championship in 1957 at Madison Square Garden in New York. He qualified for five Wrangler National Finals Rodeos, winning the saddle bronc riding average at the finals in 1961 and 1962, and the all-around title in 1961.

20 years ago on Dec. 23, 2004: David Piker of Rapid City rolled 34 strikes in a row, coming within two strikes of a 900 series. His 860 series was rolled on his home lanes of Robbinsdale. In March, the 22-year-old from Ellsworth Air Force Base rolled an 832 series (300-232-300). That month, he rolled four 800 series, three 300 games and one game of 299. With his two series of two 300 games, he joins some lofty company. Only two bowlers in the history of Rapid City had bowled two 300 games in one series, the
legendary Ted Staikoff and Mike Sand.

30 years ago on Dec. 25, 1994: Powered by a trio of South Dakotans, the Wyoming women’s basketball team is off to a 5-2 start. Wyoming is led by senior Amy Burnett of Huron, who was the Western Athletic Conference player of the year last season. Another starter is freshman Courtney Stapp of Newell. And the Cowgirls are coached by Clear Lake native Chad Lavin, who is the former USD coach.

40 years ago on Dec. 22, 1984: The NFL regular season ended on Dec. 17 with New Orleans rookie punter Brian Hansen out of Sioux Falls College leading the NFC with a 43.8-yard average on 66 punts. He went on to make the Pro Bowl.

50 years ago on Dec. 28, 1974: The Augustana Vikings wiped out North Dakota State 92-61 to win the 10th annual North Central Conference Holiday Tournament. Stan Krebs led Augie with 24 points. The Vikings are coached by former Aberdeen Central and Northern State standout Mel Klein.