South Dakota’s biggest athletic rivalry helps fight hunger

South Dakota’s biggest athletic rivalry continues this weekend with the South Dakota Corn Showdown Series. The University of South Dakota will host the women’s basketball game at 2 pm on Saturday, and South Dakota State will host the men’s basketball game at 4:30 pm.

Presented by South Dakota Corn, the Showdown Series is structured against a point system in which each school can earn 24 points per year based on head-to-head competition and conference championships between SDSU and USD in a total of 17 men’s and women’s sports, along with academic performance among student athletes.

“The rivalry between these two great schools has really taken off since they moved up to Division 1. That’s made the Showdown Series even more meaningful in its third year, and the Corn Utilization Council is proud to be the title sponsor,” Council President Mark Gross said. “The competition is nip and tuck as it heads into the second semester and this is going to be an exciting weekend of action.”

The South Dakota Corn Showdown Series aims to create awareness and raise funds for hungry families in South Dakota through athletics, academics, philanthropy and sportsmanship. Feeding South Dakota, the state’s largest hunger relief organization, is the philanthropic organization benefitting from the Showdown Series. Leading up to the game, fans are encouraged to make donations at their First Bank & Trust branch or online at www.bankeasy.com. Donations will also be collected at the concession stands during these events.

SDSU currently leads USD in the Showdown Series 4-3 following this fall’s volleyball, soccer, cross country and football match-ups. The series is in its third season and the 2014-15 winner will be announced at the conclusion of the athletic and academic year. For a complete breakdown of the South Dakota Corn Showdown Series, visit http://www.sdcornshowdown.com/

For additional information, visit http://www.sdcorn.org/